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Can anything be done about this?

13 replies

LouiseEH · 31/01/2019 21:53

As you can see in the pic I have a pvc panel under the window in my lounge. I hate it!

It lets all the warmth out and it’s pretty ugly too. I want to cover it up somehow, but I’m not sure what the best way to do it is. Any suggestions to cover it would be great 🙂

Can anything be done about this?
OP posts:
Dothehappydance · 31/01/2019 22:30

All I can think of is Fablon to take away the 'whiteness' and then full length curtains which will help with the heat loss.

LouiseEH · 31/01/2019 22:43

Not a big fan of fablon though. It can look a bit crap sometimes and don’t want to risk it with such a large area.

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PigletJohn · 31/01/2019 22:45

is that a plastic window filling a gap where there might have been patio doors or french windows?

is it original to the house, or a later alteration?

what's on the outside?

confusednorthner · 31/01/2019 22:46

We had a weird green panel under our old house window and replaced it with bricks. Possibly that's a more permanent soloution than you were thinking....

LouiseEH · 31/01/2019 23:10

I’m in a flat on the 1st floor. Nothing used to be there, the other flats have them too.

Can’t brick it up sadly :( definitely going to invest in some longer, thermal curtains though!

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PigletJohn · 31/01/2019 23:37

I'm willing to believe that there will be a cladding, possibly a PVC panel, possible cement board or something, on the outside. There is probably a cavity between the inner and outer skin which is probably filled with expanded foam, which is a good insulator. It might be that chilled air is waterfalling down the glass window and cascading over the inner PVC skin.

If the build is rather old, there is a chance that there is no insulation in it.

Your long curains would be a good solution.

If there is no insulation between the skins, it may be possible to add it from the inside, but it might involve cutting out the existing panel. Don't try to inject expanding foam, because this is one of the cases where the expansion would push the faces apart in a big bulge, and possibly push them off the wall or break them.

If you have draughts round the edges where the frame meets the wall, this can be cured with expanding foam into the crack, finished off with white silicone. You need a very careful workperson who is experienced, since expanding foam is very sticky and will ruin decorations, carpets, clothes, hair, skin or eyeballs if it touches them.

You might be able to have a panel of insulated plasterboard fixed over the inner surface, about two inches thick, the plasterboard face can be painted or papered like a wall.

wowfudge · 31/01/2019 23:41

I'm not a fan, but floor length thermal lined curtains will help. Is the panel insulated do you know? Is it only as thick as the glass in the windows above or thicker?

JaesseJexaMaipru · 31/01/2019 23:42

I think I'd use some strong double-sided carpet tape to attach an inch of foam to it (ie loft insulation panel) then I would cover that over with a decorative radiator panel which I would paint a cheery colour.

LouiseEH · 31/01/2019 23:46

It looks exactly the same on the out as it done on the inside. It sounds hollow too.

There aren’t any cracks or gaps around the edge.

I do like the plasterboard idea.

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babycatcher411 · 31/01/2019 23:49

Is it a rental property?
If not, could you build a small simple stud wall, fill with insulation and plasterboard it, adding a windowsill on top?

Itslookinglikeabeautifulday · 01/02/2019 00:03

You might be able to have a panel of insulated plasterboard fixed over the inner surface, about two inches thick, the plasterboard face can be painted or papered like a wall.

^This. Celotex and other manufacturers of insulation boards produce insulated plasterboard of varying thicknesses and varying thermal qualities. They can simply be skimmed by a plasterer after being put in place then just painted/papered like any wall. Just add a window ledge.

We used insulation-backed plasterboard on some of our walls (Old cottage that had no insulation) and it’s toasty now Smile

wowfudge · 01/02/2019 07:50

If the panel is hollow then it can probably be replaced with an insulated panel.

PostNotInHaste · 01/02/2019 08:44

Agree would go for some insulation and plasterboard. I think I’d do effectively a small stud wall with cellotex and platerboard. It would protrude into room a bit but would make it a window sill.

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