Case Study: Ella's Successful Draught Proofing of Sash Windows in Cheltenham, Sydney

Case Study: Ella's Successful Draught Proofing of Sash Windows in Cheltenham, Sydney

In June 2024, Ella, a resident of Cheltenham, Sydney, decided to tackle several ongoing issues affecting her home—chiefly noise, environmental discomfort, and draughts. Living near a busy road, Ella had been dealing with a constant barrage of traffic noise and the infiltration of black dust through the gaps in her sash windows. Additionally, she was facing black mould in one of her rooms. There were also uncomfortable draughts flowing into the house, making her home less energy-efficient and contributing to her discomfort. After considering various options, she contracted MST Window Repairs to draught-proof seven of her sash windows—a decision that proved to be transformative.

The Problem: Noise, Draughts, Dust, and Mould

Ella’s charming home, with its original sash windows, was experiencing multiple issues that affected both comfort and the overall condition of the house:

• Noise Pollution: Situated near a busy road, Ella’s home was frequently exposed to traffic noise. The constant sound was especially intrusive during quieter parts of the day, affecting her peace and comfort.

• Draughts: The gaps around her sash windows allowed cold air in during winter and heat to escape during summer, leading to uncomfortable indoor temperatures and increased energy bills.

• Dust Infiltration: Sash windows are designed with gaps to allow for movement, but this also meant that external elements like black dust were entering her home, accumulating over time, especially in rooms near the road.

• Black Mould: One room had developed black mould, a likely result of condensation and draughts coming through the windows, creating the perfect environment for mould growth.

The Solution: Draught Proofing with Ecobead

Ella’s primary goal was to stop the draughts, reduce noise, and eliminate the dust and mould issues. She chose to work with MST Window Repairs, a company led by Matt, the owner, who has 20 years of experience in draught-proofing sash windows. Matt has extensive knowledge of restoring sash windows. Having seen many variations of draught-proofing solutions over the years, Matt believes that Ecobead is the gold standard. It's brush with a fin seals fit snugly into the gaps of sash windows, providing an exceptionally effective and long-lasting barrier against draughts. He takes the window apart, replaces the Stop / Staff Beads, the Parting Beads and the Meeting Rail all with brush pile products.

Matt performed a full sash window service, addressing not just the draught-proofing but also the other issues with Ella’s windows. He discovered that when the glass had been previously replaced, the windows hadn’t been rebalanced properly, leading to snapped spiral balance systems. These were corrected as part of the service, restoring the windows to full functionality.

Pre-Installation Measurements: Ella’s Data Collection

Before the draught-proofing installation, Ella took the initiative to measure the sound levels and temperature in various rooms at 6 times throughout the day. Using a decibel meter, she recorded noise levels and also tracked the heat loss over 50 minutes in the rooms with sash windows.

Her initial measurements revealed a few key issues:

• Noise Levels: The sound from the busy road was consistently high, reaching intrusive levels that made it hard to relax or concentrate.

• Temperature Variability: Without proper insulation, Ella noticed significant temperature swings in her home, and fair bit of heat loss which not only contributed to discomfort but also led to higher energy consumption.

Post-Installation Results: A Remarkable Improvement

After Matt completed the draught-proofing work, Ella repeated her measurements at the same times throughout the day. The results were impressive:

• Noise Reduction: The draught-proofing resulted in a 3.64 dBA reduction in noise levels—an improvement that made a noticeable difference in Ella’s daily life. Traffic noise became significantly less intrusive, and the house felt much quieter overall.

• Heat Loss Reduction: The draught-proofing also led to a 67% reduction in heat loss, making the home warmer and more energy-efficient. This increase in comfort is expected to reduce Ella’s heating bills over time.

• No More Dust or Mould: The draught-proofing eliminated the black dust entering the home. With the gaps sealed, no more dust particles could infiltrate the rooms. Additionally, the black mould in one of the rooms disappeared, likely due to the improved insulation and reduced condensation.

Important Note: Results from Draught Proofing Alone

It’s important to note that Ella did not have her glass replaced during this process. The significant improvements in noise reduction, heat retention, and overall comfort were achieved solely through draught-proofing her sash windows. This is especially notable because these results were achieved without upgrading to thicker glass or double glazing, which are often seen as the main solutions for improving energy efficiency and reducing noise.

Draught-proofing alone can provide a highly effective, cost-efficient alternative to full window replacement or double glazing.

Ella’s Feedback: A Satisfied Customer

Six months after the draught-proofing installation, we caught up with Ella to get her feedback on the long-term effects of the service. Ella reported that she is still extremely pleased with the outcome. The home is quieter, more comfortable, and healthier. The black dust is gone, the mould has disappeared, and the temperature inside is more stable.

Ella was so impressed with the results that she recommended MST Window Repairs to her neighbours, who were experiencing similar issues with their sash windows. 

Conclusion: A Proven Solution

Ella’s case is a perfect example of how Ecobead draught-proofing can transform your home. With documented improvements of 67% reduction in heat loss and a 3.64 dBA noise reduction, the benefits of draught-proofing are clear.

And remember, these results were achieved without changing any glass—no thicker glass, no double glazing, and no replacing timber windows with uPVC. This shows just how powerful and effective draught-proofing alone can be in improving energy efficiency, reducing noise, and enhancing comfort in your home.

A special thank you to Ella for taking the time to measure, record, and pass on such detailed, fact-based feedback. While we often receive positive feedback from our customers, it’s not every day that we are able to gather such concrete, data-driven results. 

If you're struggling with draughts, noise, or temperature fluctuations, consider draught-proofing your sash windows.