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.
The Project
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.”
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process
steps
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Attach
Attach a frame to the window side of the shutter using pine wooden slats in two different widths.
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Fix the sheet
Fix the clear polycarbonate sheet into the frame using glue.
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Paint
Paint the frame in the same RAL colour as the shutters for a blended look.
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Secure
Secure keyhole hangers to the back of the frame to make sliding easy.
Supplies
Additional materials
Tools
Jan's Tips for Others
“Four keyhole hangers are attached to the back of the frame. This allows the frame to be easily slid off the shutter. This way, both the shutters and the plastic window are always accessible for cleaning.”
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