Sensitive insulation improvements have helped reduce heat loss and enhance comfort at three National Trust properties, without compromising their historic character
When Dan Raymond, senior building surveyor at the National Trust, visited the Clovelly Estate to view Mitchell & Dickinson’s previous work, he was impressed by both the quality of the installation and the team’s understanding of heritage buildings. It gave him the confidence to commission similar improvements at three National Trust properties under his care: The Priest’s House in Muchelney, The Priory in Stoke-sub-Hamdon and Cross Lane House in Allerford.
‘Following a visit to view Mitchell & Dickinson’s work, I was confident in both the product and their approach, particularly their understanding of heritage considerations,’ says Dan.
The problem
While each property is unique, they all share a common challenge. Draughts around the original windows were contributing to heat loss, making the homes uncomfortable during cooler months and requiring additional heating.
In addition to affecting their occupants’ comfort, the draughts reduced the overall energy efficiency of the buildings and made them even more costly to keep warm.
At The Priest’s House and The Priory (both Grade I-listed buildings), improvements were also required to be highly sensitive to the historic fabric and character of the properties.
The installation
To address the issues, we installed our award-winning CozyGlazing secondary glazing system in all three properties.
Designed specifically for period and listed buildings, CozyGlazing creates an additional insulation layer behind existing windows, improving comfort and thermal performance while remaining virtually invisible from both inside and outside the property.
The installations at The Priory and The Priest’s House were particularly complex due to the irregular stonework surrounding the windows, and so fully bespoke units were required to achieve a precise fit.
‘Careful surveying and tailored fabrication ensured a precise fit while preserving the visual integrity of the historic windows,’ says Dan. ‘The installation was carried out sensitively, with minimal disruption to the existing fabric.’
The results
The installation has significantly reduced draughts and improved the overall thermal efficiency of all three properties, creating warmer and more comfortable living environments for the occupants.
And most importantly, the improvements were achieved without compromising the architectural or historic character of these special buildings.
‘The result is a more comfortable environment alongside enhanced energy performance, making the properties more sustainable and easier to live in,’ says Dan.
Today, The Priest’s House, The Priory and Cross Lane House all benefit from improved comfort and energy efficiency. They showcase how carefully considered retrofit measures can help make historic buildings more comfortable to live in while also protecting them for future generations to enjoy.
