Smart window insulation for listed buildings with polycarbonate

Jan from Amsterdam has come up with a clever solution for his historic building. Legally, he cannot alter the windows, but he still wanted to add insulation. Using a simple structure made of polycarbonate and wooden slats, he attached secondary glazing to his internal shutters. Now, he has achieved window insulation in an affordable and sustainable manner.

Jan fixed 5 mm polycarbonate secondary glazing to the inside of his internal shutter using wood and glue. This approach is unique because installing double glazing is prohibited in his listed building. Jan explains, “We live in a historic building where you can't alter the original window or frame. Installing double glazing is not allowed, although we were permitted to add internal shutters.”