Renovatie van een herenhuis in Kampenhout

Improving the comfort and efficiency of a town house is not always easy. Is it necessary to sacrifice some or all of the design elements to achieve better energy and climate performance? This is the difficult question that Willem and Suzy had to ask themselves during their latest renovation.

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Design and energy efficiency: a delicate balance

The house in which Willem and Suzy live today was built in 1958. They renovated it a first time in 2000: the walls, insulation and front door were replaced. But the couple could not bring themselves to change the windows: "The windows in the house were made with light oak frames (inside and outside) and contribute greatly to the intrinsic character of the house."

However, the windows were single-glazed and had their own blinds, as Willem explains: "We spent a long time investigating how they might be replaced with double-glazing without destroying the frame, but we came to the conclusion that this was not possible."  

So in 2020, on the advice of the supplier, we decided to replace all the windows in the house with new double-glazed aluminium-framed models offering high insulation and integrated sun protection, as well as new, adapted blinds. Moving forward with single glazing was simply no longer tenable." However, Willem and Suzy can now take full advantage of the efficient insulation offered by the windows and enjoy a reduced annual energy bill.

Expanding the kitchen and upgrading the facilities

Works to expand the kitchen have been planned for spring 2022.

As the current gas heating system with radiators is insufficient to ensure optimal comfort in all the living areas, Willem and Suzy are planning to install, with the help of an architect:

• new insulation
• a new air conditioning system 
• new bay windows  

These new additions will provide warmth, coolness and light. 

A maximum budget of about €160,000 is foreseen for these works (excluding the cost of the new kitchen), of which just under half will cover the cost of the new windows and heating and ventilation systems.

Sun protection and natural heat

Willem: "We are very happy with the sun protection provided by the new glazing in the house. A small, somewhat subjective remark: the lack of natural radiant heat in the warmer season is sometimes felt."

The contrast is all the more noticeable because in the past, single glazed windows easily let in radiant heat. This is now less the case during the shoulder season, although this does not affect overall comfort within the house.

Applied technologies

Photos: © Willem Terras