Quaint Cosy Cottage, O’Connor ACT

Nestled in one of the popular tree-lined streets in O’Connor, this charming cottage provides a tranquil oasis in the heart of Canberra city. With its old charm character, serene surroundings, and proximity to shops and amenities, this house was almost a picture-perfect sanctuary except that it was unbearably cold in winter and energy inefficient.

The Challenge
Magnetite Canberra was called in to assess the windows and doors in this double brick cottage and design a solution to deliver a more comfortable living environment and improve energy efficiency.

The house was fitted with old steel frame windows that do not seal properly when closed. Add to this the house's limited heating abilities, leaving the house uncomfortably cold during Canberra’s harsh winter season. Given its character, the client was reluctant to replace the windows as he wanted to keep the original windows and retain the charm of the house.

The Works
Magnetite retrofit double glazing is an ideal solution for an older, heritage-style home. The secondary glazing system converts the existing single-glazed window into a double-glazed window, improving the overall window thermal performance and creating a more comfortable home while retaining the aesthetic of the house from the outside.

Magnetite’s 4.5mm glazing panels were installed on the inside of existing windows and doors throughout the house. All 22 panels were done in the Magnetite Easy glide model which allows for convenient and easy access to open existing windows. To further enhance the insulation performance, the doors were fitted with Sealtite - weatherproofing seals as well as sealing the gap on the existing windows.

Dollars and Sense
The installation of Magnetite retrofit double glazing has helped to improve thermal comfort in this charming old property. The client found that the house is now able to maintain a consistent temperature for a longer period. This means a significant improvement in the level of comfort and energy consumption. The upfront cost of converting the existing windows with Magnetite rather than replacing the windows with traditional double glazing was significantly less resulting in a lower-cost project but with the same ongoing return on lower energy bills.

Call Magnetite now for your FREE window assessment.