[johnny70]

I live in a old converted stable block on a large farm estate(we rent) the place is lovely I couldn't want for somewhere more peaceful and set in a beautiful location.

The flat is old, it was converted a long time ago, around 1900 or so and the only real work that has been done is the electrics, heating etc. The windows are pretty old, no idea how old, but they are just standard windows with single glazing, they must let a huge amount of heat out when its cold, anything we can do, bearing in mind, 1. we rent. 2. the building is listed so nothing can be done building wise.

We have a set of super heavy curtains that we have up, so this helps, I assume?

Also while I'm on the subject, we have a loft that has a concrete floor above the main house, this has NO insulation what so ever angain, any cheap/economical way we can do anything?.....

JOHNNY

[lowmans100]

For the windows Secondary Glazing UK, secondary glazing on line catalogue

The concrete loft floor may be a bit more difficult as the only effective way of isulating will be to insulate from the ceiling side, if you insulate in the loft you will be heating up the concrete slab. If the ceilings are high the easiest way would be to baton out the ceiling install rockwool insulation and then then dryline with plasterboard. There are some thin high U value insulation materials on the market but these are a lot more expensive than rockwool, google "tri iso insulation". These can be used if the ceilings are not high.

What ever you do I guess you will have to speak with the landlord.

[Crocodile]

The heat-shrink film may be an option for the windows as that doesn't do any damage. Something like this.

Have a word with you local council's housing department as there are minimum standards for rented accommodation. This may be offset by the listed status though so they will probably be best placed to advise.

[johnny70]

Thanks I think the secondary glazing will be out unless the LL decides to do it, I doubt he will [yet] as we are having a new roof fitted soon, hopefully he will be insulating it too but we aren't sure how long this is going to take or even if it will be done before winter as I believe he still need listed buildings consent to replace the roof

I like the idea of the film, anyone know if they are that effective?? doesn't seem to be much data on how effective they are

JOHNNY

[DPinBucks]

Originally Posted by lowmans100

For the windows Secondary Glazing UK, secondary glazing on line catalogue

The concrete loft floor may be a bit more difficult as the only effective way of isulating will be to insulate from the ceiling side, if you insulate in the loft you will be heating up the concrete slab. If the ceilings are high the easiest way would be to baton out the ceiling install rockwool insulation and then then dryline with plasterboard. There are some thin high U value insulation materials on the market but these are a lot more expensive than rockwool, google "tri iso insulation". These can be used if the ceilings are not high.

What ever you do I guess you will have to speak with the landlord.

If he lays a lot of insulation in the loft above the concrete slab, then, yes he'll have to heat it up. But that's just once. From then on, it will retain its heat and act as part of the insulation itself. Concrete is not a good conductor of heat anyway, and once it's up to temperature, it won't absorb any more. It might even be beneficial, like a storage heater.

IMO well worth a try; it will certainly have some effect.

[johnny70]

what kind of depth are we talking? I know nothing about loft insulation

[Turbo Dragon]

I'v got a sugggestion for your windows....

Every year I apply a layer of bubblewrap to the inside of my windows (sliding balcony doors), it prevents condenstaion gathering and acts as another layer to prevent the cold patch of glass cooling the room temp.

Cut a roll of bubble wrap (normal smallish size bubbles a great) to the dimensions of the glass, apply a mist of water to the inside of the window and roll it onto it with the flat side on the glass and the bubbles facing into the room.

Thats all it takes, come spring, pull it off and clean the windows and no mess left

Also still lets light through.....

Peace!

[deansocial]

if the landlord is reroofing it then he will have to insulate it under building regs and you can just phone up yourself and tell them and they will come out and enforce it