Is your home prepared for winter?

Does your home feel like a freezer in winter? Learn 3 quick fixes and 4 long-term solutions to beat the chill.



It's a quick job – but it could save you from a cold winter and an even frostier heating bill. Just make sure your radiators are completely cool before you begin the bleed.

3. Clean your gutters

Cold isn't the only ghoul that haunts our homes in winter. Damp does too – and it's just as ghastly, if not more so.

Damp can lead to mould. And mould can cause all sorts of health issues, ranging from coughs and sneezes to severe allergic reactions and respiratory problems.

Tackling mould should be near the top of your winter agenda. And there are several steps you can take to mitigate it, including running your central heating and investing in a dehumidifier.

These are good ideas – but they cost money. So, if you're strapped for cash, your gutters are a good place to start.

When leaves and other gunk build up in gutters, it can affect drainage and make damp problems worse. Get up there and give them a good clean. If you're lucky, you might just see those damp spots disappear.

Long-term solutions

These fixes need a little more time – and a little more investment.

They're well worth it, though. The amount you'll save on heating bills means you may well make your money back. And, of course, you can't put a price on comfort.

4. Get triple glazing

According to government figures, nine out of 10 homes in the UK now have double glazing.

Hurrah for that. Compared to old-school single-glazed windows, they're very energy-efficient. This means less heat loss, as well as lower heating bills because your boiler won't have to work as hard.

However, if your home is hard to heat – or your windows are past their best – you might benefit from tripling up.

A good triple-glazing system will beat double glazing hands down. Our extra-thick triple-glazing units, for instance, are around 40% more energy-efficient than standard double-glazed windows. 

The fact you'll have crisp, attractive new windows is just the icing on the cake.

5. Fit a composite door

Doors, like windows, have seen a raft of improvements in recent years.

Modern composite doors are a darn sight more energy-efficient than their old wooden cousins. That's because they're fitted with an insulating layer that helps trap heat and keep cold air out.

And that's not the only benefit. Unlike wooden doors, composite doors will never rot, warp or discolour. So, investing in a new door means feeling the benefits for many years to come.

Porch feeling a little breezy? Invest in a composite door. You won't regret it.

6. Upgrade your insulation

You could buy every draught excluder on Amazon. If your home isn't insulated – or your insulation is out of date – then you'll still suffer through every cold snap.

Insulation isn't cheap. If you live in a three-bedroom semi and you want to fit loft insulation, you can expect to pay around £1,000. For roof insulation, it's about another grand. For cavity wall insulation, you'll fork out between £1,000 and £2,000.

As you can see, the costs quickly add up – but so do the savings. Cavity wall insulation alone can save you around £245 on your energy bills. This means it should pay for itself in a few years.

And grants are available if your home meets certain criteria. Check GOV.UK's page about the Great British Insulation Scheme to learn more.

7. Invest in a new conservatory roof

Conservatories are lovely in summer. But when the colder months roll around, they often become no-go zones.

This is a terrible shame, as far as we're concerned. What's the point of having a garden room if it gets as chilly as your garden?

Here's the thing. Conservatories don't have to be cold. Give yours a little structural spruce-up and it could soon become your favourite room – no matter the season.

As with homes, the key is insulation. In the case of conservatories, much heat is lost through the roof. But with a modern conservatory roofing system, you can drastically reduce this heat loss and enjoy a swathe of other benefits to boot.

Here at Calder Windows, we're registered installers of SupaLite: a thermal conservatory roof system that's easier to maintain, cuts down on noise and helps maintain a comfortable temperature all year round. What's not to like?

Calder Windows is a trusted team of window and door specialists based in West Yorkshire. We've supplied and installed high-quality glazing products for more than 30 years. Want to see how we can transform your home? Get in touch to discuss your project with our friendly experts.