Insulating your house before winter: what you need to change urgently!

2023-11-26 23:00:00

Check the condition of your home’s windows

If your windows allow drafts of cold air to pass through the frames or sashes, they probably have an insulation problem. The same applies if they squeak or close with difficulty. Another sign that indicates poor insulation is increased energy consumption. There is also the presence of humidity on the glazing or the uneven distribution of heat in the rooms of the home. All of these signs can indicate that your windows are getting old and need to be replaced.

We recommend that you find out regarding the price of a double glazed window and a triple-glazed window to change your openings. These two types of windows are considered the most insulating on the market. To choose the ideal type of window in your home, consider your location area. If your house is located in a very cold region, the triple-glazed window will offer you better insulation. In a less cold area, you can opt for a double-glazed window.

There are certain things you need to pay attention to when choosing your windows. Consider in particular the nature of the spaces between the panes. These can be air type or argon type (a particularly insulating gas). The thicker the gas between each glazing, the greater the window’s insulation capacity once morest the cold.

It is also important to choose the materials that make up the window frames of your home. Ecological, the wooden frame is economical, but it requires a lot of maintenance. THE PVC chassis is economical, easy to maintain and more insulating. Finally, the aluminum chassis is durable and aesthetic.

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Check your door seals and seal any air leaks

The seals guarantee the thermal insulation and sealing of the doors of your home, but they have a limited lifespan. When these elements fail, they allow air to pass through the slots around the doors. To do this, you must make sure to check their condition regularly in order to change them if necessary before winter. You will need to carefully remove the old gasket to replace it. It is recommended to use a cutter to remove any possible residue. Then, you must clean the location of the joint before installing a new accessory.

We advise you to call a professional to check the joints and seal any air leaks. These are most often located at the bottom of doors. They can be sealed by installing an adhesive door sweep. You can opt for a more durable solution like nailing beading. Another way to seal air leaks from the bottom of your doors is to install a metal door sweep. If you prefer a sophisticated solution, opt for installing an automatic door skirting board.

Specialists use specific devices to detect air leaks. For example, they can use depressurization fans, infrared scanners and smoke pencils. Then they use special caulking and sealing products to seal air leaks. Note that not all homes react in the same way to improving the sealing of doors. To this end, we encourage you to carefully monitor reactions following the work is carried out in your home.

Inspect roof and attic insulation

Poor roof and attic insulation leads to formation of ice dams during the winter. It first causes heat to escape from the interior of the home towards the shingles, through the ceiling, the attic and the roof. Warmer shingles will melt the snow that covers them in winter. Then, all it takes is a drop in temperature for the melting water to transform into ice. The latter tends to reduce the performance of the roof and lead to its deterioration.

To avoid this situation, a thorough inspection of the roof and attic insulation should be carried out. Make sure there is efficient insulation in these parts of the home. If necessary, change the insulation in your attic by adopting one bulk insulation For example. This type of insulation is made of fine particles which can be fiberglass, mineral wool or cellulose.

You can also optimize the insulation of your attic with a insulation in mats or rolls. The latter comes in the form of a thick blanket made of fiberglass, natural fiber, mineral wool or plastic fiber.

Regarding roof insulation, it can be done with insulators such as vegetable wool, cellulose wadding, cork or expanded clay. The insulation can be installed from the inside if the roof frame is in good condition. On the other hand, it will be necessary to favor exterior insulation if the roof is in poor condition.

Consider adding additional floor insulation

According to the Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), around 10% of the heat in a home can escape through the ground. To avoid this heat loss, low floors must be properly insulated. So do not hesitate to add additional insulation to the floor level for their guarantee sufficient insulation and save energy.

You can use materials such as glass wool, rock wool, sheep wool and cotton wool which are flexible insulators. You can also select natural insulators like cellulose wadding and cork, or synthetic insulators like EPS and polyurethane.

You will need to choose a suitable technique for installing the insulation on your low floors. You have the choice between insulation from below, insulation from above, insulation on solid ground and insulation by partial filling. If you have an accessible crawl space in your home between the low floor and the ground, opt for insulation from below.

On the other hand, floor insulation from above is suitable for housing in which the crawlspace is difficult to access or absent. In this type of home, you can rely on insulation by partial filling using a lightweight material. Finally, lay the insulation directly on the ground if the slab was poured directly onto the ground.

What regarding wall insulation?

Wall insulation is essential to gain comfort in your home during the winter. You can insulate your walls using two main techniques: interior insulation and exterior insulation. The most used and most affordable technique,interior wall insulation is suitable if you do not wish to modify the exterior appearance of the accommodation. You can therefore carry it out without prior declaration of work. However, this technique may require you to leave the accommodation during the work.

L’exterior wall insulation is the most efficient and effective method. It permanently eliminates thermal bridges to make your home more comfortable during the winter. On the other hand, it is an expensive insulation technique which requires planning permission to be implemented. You will need to make a prior declaration to the town hall using form Cerfa n° 13404*1.

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