Wiltshire winters are not the harshest in the country, but anyone who has lived through a few of them around Swindon knows that a cold snap combined with an old, draughty window is a miserable pairing. Before the temperature really drops, autumn is the right time to check how your windows and doors are holding up. Here is what we would suggest looking at.
Check for draughts on a windy day
The easiest way to find a draught is to pick a breezy day, which Swindon has no shortage of given its exposed position on the edge of the downs, and simply run a hand around the edges of your window and door frames. A steady stream of cold air usually points to worn seals, a warped frame, or hardware that has dropped out of alignment over the years. Older uPVC windows, particularly ones installed more than fifteen or twenty years ago, often suffer from perished gaskets that let air straight through.
Look at condensation, not just draughts
If you are getting condensation building up between the panes of a double glazed unit, rather than on the inside surface of the glass, that is a sign the seal around the unit itself has failed and moist air has got in. This is common on older units across the area and, unfortunately, it is not something that can be fixed. The whole sealed unit needs replacing. It is worth checking now rather than waiting for it to fog up permanently through a cold January.
Test your locking points
Doors and windows that do not lock properly are both a security risk and a source of heat loss, since the seal only compresses fully when the handle is locked shut, not just closed. If a window or door handle feels stiff, or will not turn all the way, it is often a simple case of adjusting or replacing the locking mechanism rather than needing a whole new unit.
Think about your front and back doors
Front doors take a battering from the weather in this part of Wiltshire, particularly on more exposed streets around the edges of town and in villages like Wroughton and Blunsdon where properties catch more wind. Composite doors have become the popular choice locally because they resist warping and fading far better than timber, and modern designs come with far better thermal performance than doors fitted even ten years ago. If your current front door lets in a cold draught around the threshold, it may be more cost effective in the long run to replace it than keep patching it up.
Bi-fold and patio doors need a check too
Bi-fold and sliding patio doors, which have become a common addition to extensions and conservatories across Swindon over the past decade, rely on tracks and rollers staying clean and well maintained. A quick clean of the track and a check that the doors glide and seal properly before winter sets in can prevent a much bigger headache once the cold weather arrives and the door is left open a fraction because it will not close properly.
When repair is not enough
Sealing a draught here and there will help, but if your windows or doors are original to a house built in the 1990s or earlier, the frames themselves may simply have reached the end of their useful life. Modern windows, even at the more affordable end, will outperform an old frame that has been patched up repeatedly, and the difference in comfort through a Wiltshire winter can be considerable.
We are based right here in Swindon
Because we manufacture and install locally, we know the kinds of properties and conditions found across Swindon and the surrounding villages, from exposed spots near the downs to sheltered streets in the older parts of town. If you would like an honest assessment of whether your windows and doors need attention before winter, get in touch or call us on 01793 480155 for a free, no obligation quote.
