The colder months may mean you're seeing more mould than usual - here's how to safely prevent it.

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With the weather being so cold recently, it's unlikely you've been opening the windows as much as you would in summer.

This unfortunately means there's more chance of a mould infestation. Not only does it create ugly-looking marks on your walls, ceilings and windows, it can trigger health problems - especially if you've already got a condition like asthma.

Mould can often be caused by condensation, and can start to appear 24 hours after the excess moisture fills the air in your home. However, there are a few precautions you can take to stop the problem from happening, the Mirror reports.

Rebecca Armstrong is the director at Making Energy Greener (MEG) and usually works on all things insulation, home heating, and damp prevention through the right ventilation.

Here, she's shared her expert advice for preventing mould from appearing, so your home can remain safe through the winter months.

Condensation on your windows is a common sight in winter, and it can lead to a mould infestation if it's not dealt with.

Rebecca said: "A warmer glass surface means less condensation, so with double and triple-glazed windows specifically designed to reduce the loss of heat from a room by conduction from the inside to the outside of the building."

She suggested installing double or triple-glazing if you haven't already. But this can be quite costly, with the average price of the procedure around £600 up to £1,200 per window.

She also says the best window frame to have, alongside the window itself, to prevent damp and mould from developing is a steel/PVC frame because it’s a non-corrosive material.

A "surefire" way to reduce damp on your windows is to add a Low-E window film.

It uses a microscopic coating of transparent material over triple or double glazing, and helps to prevent thermal loss from inside a property.

It also reduces the amount of heat entering your home from outside.

You can either install the Lo-E yourself or you can have it professionally done. The film can be bought online and the price can vary depending on where you buy it.

Some three-metre roles can cost as low as a few quid, however, others can range up to over £60.

If you want to hire someone to install this for you, it can cost considerably more with one firm quoting around £350 to £500 per square metre. However, the price is dependent on the work which would need to be done.

If your home doesn't already have them, Rebecca recommends installing trickle vents.

These are fitted at the tops of your windows and create extra ventilation, stopping mould from growing.

Some households won’t have trickle vents installed as until June 15, 2022 windows did not need to have them. However, from June last year, any window installed will need to comply with the new trickle vent regulations.

They can be installed for around £40-50 per window, and is best done by a professional rather than trying it yourself.

If your double-glazed windows are over five years old, Rebecca noted that they might require additional draught proofing.

This can be done either by a professional company, which could cost from £225 according to the Energy Saving Trust right up to £1,200 depending on the installation work you need to do. You can also do it yourself rather than hiring somebody.

Some ways you can draught-proof your windows include using self-adhesive foam strips, which are cheap and easy to install, usually costing between £5 to £10.

However, this is not a long-lasting fix and will need to be replaced regularly.

You can spend a little bit more and opt for metal or plastic strips with brushes or wipers attached. These are longer-lasting so you do not need to replace as often.

When buying the strips, make sure you are getting the right size for the width of the gap.

If the strip is too small, it will not be effective. If it is too big, the strip will get crushed when the window closes and may prevent you from closing the window.

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