Period and listed homes can be chilly in winter. However, there are ways to make a period property warm without compromising its historical character, says Tom Coles of Mitchell & Dickinson
It’s lovely to live in a period property, but when the wind whistles in via the window frames and up through the floorboards it can make you long for the comfort of a double‑glazed new build.
If that sounds like your home, and you need some help keeping the draughts at bay and the heat in, maybe Mitchell & Dickinson can help. The South West company has 15 years of experience crafting award‑winning insulation for period and listed properties. They’ve improved hundreds of homes, including a number of National Trust properties.
M&D’s managing director Tom Coles explains: ‘We are considered ‘the gentleman of the industry’ as we’re craftspeople who take great care of the original architecture of properties while making them fit for modern life.’
Installing secondary glazing and draught proofing
Tom says: ‘We make bespoke secondary glazing that allows sash windows to be operated as usual. We also have options for timber casement and stone mullion windows. It’s virtually invisible and can improve thermal performance by up to 70 per cent. We also restore heritage window and door frames.’
Adding shutters
M&D’s bespoke insulated shutters are crafted to fit windows perfectly and do a great job of keeping the room cosy in winter, as well as cooler in summer. Another option is the company’s British‑made plantation shutters with louvres, which are timelessly elegant and allow for air flow while also retaining heat to keep your home warmer.
Insulating your home with sheep’s wool
Sheep’s wool has excellent thermal properties and, when used in the loft and under wooden floors, is like a woolly jumper for your home. Tom says: ‘Because you’re physically closer to your floor than you are to your ceiling, you really do feel the difference.’
