Restoring charm, respecting character and bringing warmth: How to heat your villa

Thrilled to be featured in a recent article on Newshub where we talk about restoring charm, respecting character and way to bring warmth to your Kiwi villa. And perfectly timed for the first day of winter in New Zealand.

"The New Zealand villa was constructed entirely from native timbers and adorned with generous verandahs, large bay windows and high stud ceilings. They are a beautiful blend of both decoration and architecture through the use of symmetry, proportion and embellishments of fretwork and filigree detailing."

"However, these iconic homes are notoriously difficult to heat as they were constructed without any insulation. Thin glazing, gaps and crevices make them cold and draughty homes to live in."

We suggest altering the shell of the home first by insulating the underfloor, walls (if possible) and ceilings. There are natural wool options or recycled products on the market. From there, a renovator could explore their options of re-fitting or retrofitting the existing windows with double glazing for added benefit.

Then follows the heating component. Ducted heating systems that can vent into multiple rooms are always the best option as you want to try and keep the heat even. This could be either HRV or central heating with ducted vents. 

We do prefer floor-vented systems for villas due to their high ceilings as the air comes from floor level and rises, in the same manner as fireplaces. The added benefit of villas being constructed off the ground is it makes access under the floor space much easier to retrofit.

"Gas fireplaces are super efficient to run and are a fantastic option, and become an anchor to the living spaces."

Finally, renovators should consider the dressing and window treatments.

"Curtains can minimise heat loss with lining. I tend to use a three-pass blockout as it has both insulation and blockout properties. Ensure the drapes completely cover the architraves and openings and go to the floor."

"Curtains are a great addition to the house as they are practical and also soften a room."

We acknowledge there are huge benefits of both structural changes, such as flooring and insulation, as well as heated appliances, such as installing an Escea DF Series gas fireplace.

"I feel these go hand-in-hand,". "I think it is incredibly important to address the key issues of the home as a priority, as this is what will retain heat.   

"After the insulation, joinery and draft prevention has been addressed, your heating systems are going to operate much more efficiently. If you are undertaking a full renovation, think about adding underfloor heating to colder flooring surfaces, and particularly adding these to more moisture-prone areas.

"Floor treatments such as wool carpets and large-scale rugs all bring warmth to spaces. Wool has so many added benefits as it is natural, biodegradable and renewable."

Thank you to Newshub for this lovely feature. You can read the entire article here