File 08: Windows, doors and ventilation
Openings and air: glazing, draughts, and the ventilation an airtight home still needs.
The file guide
Working guides on this file
Windows, doors and ventilation A Draught-Proofing Checklist A room-by-room checklist for draught-proofing: what to inspect, what to seal, what not to seal, and how to test the result. Educational only, not advice for a particular home. Windows, doors and ventilation Condensation and Ventilation Why condensation forms, how to tell surface condensation from other damp, and what ventilation, heating and insulation changes help. Educational only, not advice for a particular home. Windows, doors and ventilation Doors and Thermal Bridges How doors lose heat and create thermal bridges at thresholds, frames and letterboxes, and what detailing reduces those losses. Educational only, not advice for a particular home. Windows, doors and ventilation Double Glazing, Explained How double glazing works: two panes, a sealed gap, coatings and gas fill, and what determines whether it is a good upgrade for a particular window. Educational only, not advice for a particular home. Windows, doors and ventilation Draught-Proofing Doors and Windows How draught-proofing works for doors and windows, which seals suit which opening type, and when draught-proofing must be paired with ventilation. Educational only, not advice for a particular home. Windows, doors and ventilation Mechanical Ventilation With Heat Recovery How MVHR works, when it suits an airtight home, and what ducting, filters, controls and maintenance it requires. Educational only, not advice for a particular home. Windows, doors and ventilation Secondary Glazing in Detail The practical details of secondary glazing: gap size, frame types, seals, opening, cleaning and condensation between panes. Educational only, not advice for a particular home. Windows, doors and ventilation Skylights and Roof Windows How skylights and roof windows differ, what flashing, insulation, ventilation and overheating questions they raise, and when they suit a room. Educational only, not advice for a particular home. Windows, doors and ventilation Trickle Vents and Extract Fans How trickle vents and extract fans work together, how to choose and position them, and why noise and maintenance decide whether they stay in use. Educational only, not advice for a particular home. Windows, doors and ventilation Triple Glazing: When It Helps When a third pane is worth it and when it is not: cold climates, noisy locations, large glazed areas and the weight, cost and light trade-offs. Educational only, not advice for a particular home. Windows, doors and ventilation Ventilation and Allergens, in General How ventilation and filtration can reduce indoor allergens in general terms, and what ventilation alone cannot do for allergy management. Educational only, not advice for a particular home. Windows, doors and ventilation Ventilation for Kitchens and Bathrooms Why kitchens and bathrooms need stronger, faster ventilation than other rooms, and how extract rates, ducting and controls should be set. Educational only, not advice for a particular home. Windows, doors and ventilation Ventilation Maintenance Checks A routine for keeping ventilation working: vents, fans, filters, ducts and controls, checked seasonally and after any building work. Educational only, not advice for a particular home. Windows, doors and ventilation Ventilation: Why Airtight Homes Still Need Air Why sealing a home for warmth makes deliberate ventilation more important, not less, and how fresh air, moisture and pollutants are managed. Educational only, not advice for a particular home. Windows, doors and ventilation Window Frames, Compared How timber, uPVC, aluminium and composite window frames compare on insulation, durability, maintenance, appearance and cost, in general terms. Educational only, not advice for a particular home. Windows, doors and ventilation Window Replacement vs Secondary Glazing How to choose between replacing windows and adding secondary glazing, especially for period homes, noisy streets and rented properties. Educational only, not advice for a particular home. Windows, doors and ventilation Window U-Values and Ratings How to read window U-values, energy ratings and related figures without confusing centre-pane, whole-window and installed performance. Educational only, not advice for a particular home.