Insulation kit and method

Abstract

An insulation kit 100 for fitting a secondary glazing to a window having a primary glazing 12 in a frame 14 is disclosed. The kit includes a first strip 110 with first 116 and second 118 adhesive port

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to window insulation. In particular, though not exclusively, this invention relates to an insulation kit for fitting a secondary glazing to a window, and a method of fitting a secondary glazing to a window. BACKGROUND Many buildings comprise windows which have only a single sheet of glazing. Such windows are particularly energy inefficient as they provide little insulation against heat escaping from the interior of the building to the exterior of the building. Consequently, buildings with singleglazed windows typically require additional heating than buildings with double-glazed windows in order to maintain a comfortable interior temperature. This increased heating is often provided by an increased consumption of fossil fuels, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions and greater environmental harm. It is possible to improve window insulation by completely removing a single-glazed window and the surrounding frame to replace the whole structure with a double-glazed window. However, this solution is expensive, disruptive, and requires professional installation. Moreover, some buildings are protected with regulations that prevent significant changes from being made, and therefore a complete replacement of single-glazed windows may not be possible. An alternative solution is to install a secondary sliding frame to the existing window. Although simpler than replacing the entire window, this solution is still expensive as each frame must be customised to the required dimensions and it must be drilled into the existing fixture by a professional installer. Moreover, such secondary sliding frames limit access to the existing window. Some solutions are available which do not require professional installation, such as magnetic window screens. However, these screens must be fitted over the entire window, hindering access to the window, and they may not be possible to install over some windows of irregular shapes. Moreover, the magnets can lose their potency over time due to constant exposure to hot and cold temperatures and can cause damage to surrounding components due to their constant removal and reattachment. Hence, there remains a need for improved solutions for fitting secondary glazing to existing windows. It is an object of the invention to address at least one of the above problems, or another problem associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first aspect of the invention provides an insulation kit for fitting a secondary glazing to a window comprising a primary glazing held in a frame. The insulation kit comprises a first strip. The first strip comprises a first adhesive portion for adhering the first strip to the primary glazing and a second adhesive portion for adhering the first strip to the frame. The first strip also comprises a recess for receiving the secondary glazing. The insulation kit further comprises a second strip. The second strip comprises a first adhesive portion for adhering the second strip to the first strip and a second adhesive portion for adhering the second strip to the secondary glazing, to secure the secondary glazing in place between the first and second strip. In this way, the insulation kit may advantageously be used to convert a single-glazed window to a double-glazed window, thereby providing increased heat insulation and sound proofing within a building. The insulation kit may be applied to a window of any size and / or shape without the need for professional installation. Furthermore, the insulation kit may allow the secondary glazing to be fitted to the window without compromising or restricting the normal use of the window, such that the window may still be opened and closed in the same manner as prior to fitting the secondary glazing. The term "frame" may refer to one or more of an outer frame, inner frame, jamb, sash, muntin, grille and / or mullion of the window. In some embodiments, the first and / or second strip may comprise a closed cell foam. The use of a closed cell foam may advantageously allow the insulation kit to be bent into any shape to suit any shape window glazing and / or window frame. The use of a closed cell foam may also allow the first and / or second strip to be cut easily with commonly accessible tools, such as scissors or a knife. Moreover, the use of a closed cell foam may allow the insulation kit to provide a seal to prevent air, dust, water, oils and chemicals from entering a building through any gaps between the primary glazing and window frame. The use of a closed cell foam may also provide effective sound proofing against noise from the outside environment, such as road traffic, and may help to minimise vibration of the primary glazing. In some embodiments, the closed cell foam may comprise EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber and / or polychloroprene rubber. In some embodiments, the first strip may comprise a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion extending from the first elongate portion. The first elongate portion may be arranged generally perpendicular to the second elongate portion to form the recess between the first and second elongate portions. In this way, the first elongate portion may be arranged to extend between the primary glazing and the secondary glazing to maintain a gap between the primary glazing and secondary glazing. Suitably, this arrangement may provide a tight seal between the secondary glazing and the first elongate portion, thus preventing air / heat from escaping and providing efficient insulation. In some embodiments, the first elongate portion may comprise the first adhesive portion. In some embodiments, the second elongate portion may comprise the second adhesive portion. In some embodiments, the first and / or second elongate portions of the first strip may have a thickness in the range of from 2 to 6 mm. For example, the first and / or second elongate portions of the first strip may have a thickness in the range of from 2 to 5 mm, or from 2 to 4 mm, or from 2 to 3 mm, or from 3 to 6 mm, or from 3 to 5 mm, or from 3 to 4 mm, or from 4 to 6 mm, or from 4 to 5 mm, or from 5 to 6 mm. Suitably, the first and / or second elongate portions of the first strip may have a thickness of about 2 mm, or about 3 mm, or about 4 mm, or about 5 mm, or about 6 mm. In some embodiments, the first and / or second elongate portions of the first strip may have a width in the range of from 6 to 10 mm. For example, the first and / or second elongate portions of the first strip may have a width in the range of from 6 to 9 mm, or from 6 to 8 mm, or from 6 to 7 mm, or from 7 to 10 mm, or from 7 to 9 mm, or from 7 to 8 mm, or from 8 to 10 mm, or from 8 to 9 mm or from 9 to 10 mm. Suitably, the first and / or second elongate portions of the first strip may have a width of about 6 mm, or about 7 mm, or about 8 mm, or about 9 mm, or about 10 mm. In some embodiments, the first strip may be L-shaped prism shaped. In some embodiments, the first adhesive portion of the second strip may be arranged on a first side of the second strip. In some embodiments, the second adhesive portion of the second strip may be arranged on a second side of the second strip perpendicular to the first side. In some embodiments, the first and / or second sides of the second strip may have a width in the range of from 4 to 7 mm. For example, the first and / or second sides of the second strip may have a width in the range of from 4 to 6 mm, or from 4 to 5 mm, or from 5 to 7 mm, or from 5 to 6 mm, or from 6 to 7 mm. Suitably, the first and / or second sides of the second strip may have a width of 4 mm, or 5 mm, or 6 mm, or 7 mm. In some embodiments, the second strip may be triangular prism shaped. In some embodiments, the first and / or second adhesive portions of the first strip and / or first and / or second adhesive portions of the second strip may comprise of one or more of an epoxy adhesive, polyurethane adhesive, polyimide adhesive, and / or acrylic adhesive. Suitably, such adhesives may allow the first strip and / or second strip to adhere to glass, plastic, wood, metal, or closed cell foam materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the adhesive portions of the first and / or second strip may be provided with a peelable protective layer. In this way, the peelable protective layer may be removed immediately prior to using the insulation kit. Suitably, the peelable protective layer may prevent dust and / or particulates from sticking to the adhesive portion prior to use. In this way, the peelable protective layer may help to maintain the adhesive properties of the adhesive portion. In some embodiments, the first and / or second strip may have a length of 100 m or less, for example, such as 90 m or less, or 80 m or less, or 70 m or less, or 60 m or less, or 50 m or less, or 40 m or less, or 30 m or less, such as 20 m or less. In some embodiments, the first and / or second strip may have a length in the range of from 4 to 10 m, or in the range of from 5 to 10 m, or in the range of from 6 to 10 m. Suitably, the first and / or second strip may be cut to the desired size according to the size of the window frame. In some embodiments, the first and / or second strip may be provided in the form of a roll. A second aspect of the invention provides a method of fitting a secondary glazing to a window comprising a primary glazing held in a frame. The method comprises adhering a first strip comprising first and second adhesive portions and a recess to the primary glazing and the frame, locating the secondary glazing in the recess; and adhering a second strip comprising first and second adhesive portions to the first strip and to the secondary glazing, thereby securing the secondary glazing in place between the first and second strip. Suitably, the first strip and / or second strip may be a first strip and / or second strip according to the first aspect of the invention. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", mean "including but not limited to", and do not exclude other components, integers or steps. Moreover, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires: in particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise. Preferred features of each aspect of the invention may be as described in connection with any of the other aspects. Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an insulation kit in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the insulation kit of Figure 1 applied to a window; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the insulation kit of Figure 1 applied to a window comprising muntins. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to Figure 1, an insulation kit 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention comprises a first strip 110. In this example, the first strip 110 comprises a first elongate portion 112 and a second elongate portion 114. The second elongate portion 114 is arranged perpendicular to the first elongate portion 112 such that the first strip 110 defines an L-shaped prism. The first elongate portion 112 and the second elongate portion 114 together define a recess 130 therebetween for receiving a secondary glazing panel (not shown in Figure 1). The first strip 110 further comprises a first adhesive strip 116 and a second adhesive strip 118. The first adhesive strip 116 is arranged along a side of the first elongate portion 112 opposite to the recess 130 and is covered by a first peelable protective film 117. The second adhesive strip is 118 is arranged along a side of the second elongate portion 114 opposite to the recess 130 and is covered by a second peelable protective film 119. The insulation kit 100 further comprises a second strip 120. In this example, the second strip 120 defines a triangular prism shape having a first side 122 and a second side 124 perpendicular to the first side 122. The first and second sides 122, 124 are connected by a third side 125. The second strip 120 has a first adhesive strip 126 arranged along the first side 122, which is covered by a first peelable protective film 127. The second strip 120 also has a second adhesive strip 128 arranged along the second side 124, which is covered by a second peelable protective film 129. Referring to Figure 2, in use, the first strip 110 is cut to the desired length, and the first and second peelable protective films 117, 119 are peeled off from the first and second adhesive strips 116, 118. The first elongate portion 112 of the first strip 110 is then adhered to a primary glazing 12 of a window 10 via the first adhesive strip 116, and the second elongate portion 114 of the first strip 110 is adhered to a frame 14 of the window 10 via the second adhesive portion 118. A pane of secondary glazing 20 having first and second opposing planar sides 22, 24 separated by a thickness of the pane of secondary glazing 20 is arranged in the recess 130 of the first strip 110 such that the first planar side 22 lies flat against the first elongate portion 112 of the first strip 110. The second strip 120 is then cut to the same length as the first strip 110, and the first and second peelable protective films 127, 129 are peeled off from the first and second adhesive strips 126, 128. The first side 122 of the second strip 120 is then adhered to the first strip 110 via the first adhesive strip 126 and the second side 124 of the second strip 120 is adhered to the second planar side 24 of the secondary glazing 160 via the second adhesive strip 128, thereby securing the secondary glazing 160 in place in the window 10. Referring to Figure 3, a window 50 comprises upper and lower sashes 52, 54 held within an outer frame 56. The lower sash 54 is mounted in the frame 56 slightly forward of the upper sash 52 and is slidable within the frame 56 to allow the window 50 to be opened by sliding the lower sash 54 upwards over the upper sash 52. Each of the upper and lower sashes 52, 54 comprises six square primary glazing panels 58 held in place in the sashes 52, 54 in two rows of three by a series of grilles 60. A total of twelve square secondary glazing panels 80 are secured to the twelve square primary glazing panels 58 in the upper and lower sashes 52, 54 using an insulation kit 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention. A total of forty-eight pieces of the first strip 110 of equal length to the width of the twelve square primary glazing panels 58 are cut and secured to the twelve square primary glazing panels 58 via their first adhesive portions 116 and to the edges of the first and second sashes 52, 54 or grilles 60 surrounding the twelve square primary glazing panels 58 via their second adhesive portions 118. A total of twelve panes of secondary glazing 80 having first and second opposing planar sides separated by a thickness of the panes are arranged in the recesses 130 of the first strips 110 such that the first planar sides of the panes of secondary glazing 80 lie flat against the first elongate portions 112 of the first strips 110. A total of forty-eight pieces of the second strip 120 of equal length to the lengths of the fortyeight pieces of the first strip 110 are cut and secured to the panes of secondary glazing 80 via the second adhesive portions 128 and to the second elongate portions 114 of the first 5 strips 110 surrounding the primary glazing panels 58 via the first adhesive portions 126 of the second strips 120, thereby securing each of the twelve panes of secondary glazing 80 in place in the upper and lower sashes 52, 54 of the window 50.

Claims

1. An insulation kit for fitting a secondary glazing to a window comprising a primary glazing held in a frame, the kit comprising:- a first strip comprising: a closed cell foam of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber and / or polychloroprene rubber; a first adhesive portion for adhering the first strip to the primary glazing; a second adhesive portion for adhering the first strip to the frame; and a recess for receiving the secondary glazing; and- a second strip comprising: a closed cell foam of EPDM rubber and / or polychloroprene rubber; a first adhesive portion for adhering the second strip to the first strip; and a second adhesive portion for adhering the second strip to the secondary glazing, to secure the secondary glazing in place between the first and second strip, wherein the second strip is triangular prism shaped.

2. The insulation kit of claim 1, wherein the first strip comprises: a first elongate portion; and a second elongate portion extending from the first elongate portion and arranged perpendicular thereto to form the recess between the first and second elongate portions.

3. The insulation kit of claim 2, wherein the first elongate portion comprises the first adhesive portion and the second elongate portion comprises the second adhesive portion.

4. The insulation kit of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first and / or second elongate portions of the first strip have a thickness in the range of from 2 to 6 mm.

5. The insulation kit of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first and / or second elongate portions of the first strip have a width in the range of from 6 to 10 mm.

6. The insulation kit of any preceding claim, wherein the first strip is L-shaped prism shaped.

7. The insulation kit of any preceding claim, wherein the first adhesive portion of the second strip is arranged on a first side of the second strip and the second adhesive portion of the second strip is arranged on a second side of the second strip perpendicular to the first side.

8. The insulation kit of claim 7, wherein the first and / or second sides of the second strip have a width in the range of from 4 to 7 mm.

9. The insulation kit of any preceding claim, wherein the first and / or second adhesive portions of the first strip and / or first and / or second adhesive portions of the second strip comprise one or more of ab epoxy adhesive, polyurethane adhesive, polyimide adhesive, and / or acrylic adhesive.

10. The insulation kit of any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the adhesive portions of the first and / or second strip are provided with a peelable protective layer.

11. The insulation kit of any preceding claim, wherein the first and / or second strip has a length of 100 m or less, optionally in the range of from 4 to 10 m.

12. The insulation kit of any preceding claim, wherein the first and / or second strip is provided in the form of a roll.

13. A method of fitting a secondary glazing to a window comprising a primary glazing held in a frame, the method comprising:- adhering a first strip to the primary glazing and to the frame, the first strip comprising:- a closed cell foam of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber and / or polychloroprene rubber,- a first adhesive portion for adhering the first strip to the primary glazing, - a second adhesive portion for adhering the first strip to the frame, and- a recess;- locating the secondary glazing in the recess; and- adhering a second strip to the first strip and the secondary glazing, the second strip comprising:- a closed cell foam of EPDM rubber and / or polychloroprene rubber,- a first adhesive portion for adhering the second strip to the first strip, and- a second adhesive portion for adhering the second strip to the secondary glazing thereby securing the secondary glazing in place between the first and second strip, wherein the second strip is triangular prism shaped.

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