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Original poster

Secondary glazing

32 replies

Zooforhouse · 04/02/2022 18:23

Moving (hopefully) to a house with (well restored) single glazed windows.

Over time will probably replace them as funds allow, but does anyone have any experience of secondary glazing? Thinking more of energy costs not noise.

Any other tips?

(Please don’t try to talk me out if it, we fell in love with it and is a done deal 😂)

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Liz1tummypain · 04/02/2022 19:02

I don't think it needs to be a massive issue. We have secondary glazing panels. They're secured with magnetic strips. A bit of a faff to chop and change when summer comes round. ( Mind you we get mosquitoes so we also rig up mosy screens upstairs in summer.) No idea about costs I'm afraid but I think the sound is a tad muffled. Go for it!

Original poster
Zooforhouse · 04/02/2022 19:16

I’m kind of wondering if I’m overthinking anyway and decent blind/curtain combo will do the job….

Windows are pretty!

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Siouxtse1 · 04/02/2022 20:14

I have the big slide-y second sets of windows. They've basically put an extra window frame inside each window. It's not as quiet as regular double glazing and if it's not fitted snugly it can be a bit draughty. I'm in an exempted rental, let out by a well known property charity.

We open our windows every day because it's an old building and it needs to get a change of airflow. Unfortunately, it does sometimes mean things sneak in to hibernate between the window panes. We've had loads of ladybirds nesting in the top corners between the two panes of glass. As it's been sunny the last few days, it's heated up and woken the ladybirds.

They won't do any harm to the fabric of the building, but they can be a pain in the bum when they're flying around in the evening and you're trying to read a book!

Original poster
Zooforhouse · 04/02/2022 21:44

I had not considered lady birds! We had an issue with those in an old chimney before…

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Japanesejazz · 04/02/2022 21:53

I had them in a property once
Biggest down side is what gets trapped between
Extra dust insects spider webs etc
Everyone told me they were rubbish but to be honest when I upgraded to double glazing apart from it was a bit quieter and didn’t need to clean the in between bit there wasn’t much difference
Mine were sliders so good access to the window behind
The windows measured10’4 so massive for heat exchange element

hungary · 04/02/2022 21:58

Secondary glazing can be great it doesnt need to be magnetic ie it can slide up and down easily to match original sash windows but then tilt in flat so you can clean fully between, no condensation even after years unlike much double glazing. Better sound and energy properties in my opinion if fitted properly and correct glass and spacing. Plus you keep the character of the house and external appearance and way cheaper.

SilenzioBruno · 05/02/2022 08:52

@Zooforhouse I don’t really have any tips as such but wanted to say that having considered all possible options from full on upvc replacements to fitting narrow double glazed units in each pane of the existing sashes we’ve come down in favour of doing a few necessary repairs and then adding secondary glazing. It seems such a waste to take out the frames that are in good condition, and we like the wobbly glass!

Way back when my parents lived in a house with magnet secondary glazing. DM will tell you she lifted out the secondary pane to clean in between every singe week, which sounds like a lot of work, but DF will tell you that in fact he often didn’t bother (but said he had) as it was snugly fitted and didn’t really get dirty!!

@hungary the sliding and tilting secondary glazing is what we’d like to go for. Do you have any recommendations for manufacturers/fitters or were you able to fit them yourself?

JustJam4Tea · 05/02/2022 14:25

In laws have secondary glazing, old house, beautiful original windows. It’s fine, cuts out noise, droughts, looks fine, don’t even really notice it.

We are thinking of getting it done in ours. Again because we like the wobbly glass…..

Hohofortherobbers · 05/02/2022 14:28

My granny lived with it for years, wasn't even something I noticed. Did the job fine.

hungary · 05/02/2022 17:51

We fitted it ourselves. we made a template for each window in mdf before ordering as it fits into the architrave and nothing is totally square in our house and we didnt want to reply on just measuring and then find it was out of square as it is metal so cant be trimmed down. Slides up and down really easily (we changed from old style that was too hard for me to slide and didnt tilt in so i couldnt clean between). Ours looks great, cant imagine a fitter would have taken the care with painted wooden beading/trim etc that we have but it is behind curtains and pelmet so only the bottom edge is visible. we chose white finish for everything. if we had paid fitters i imagine cost would be more then the cost of each window - if you cant fit it yourself i would get the supplier to measure and fit - dont measure it and then get someone else to fit.

SilenzioBruno · 06/02/2022 08:17

Thanks for the tips Hungary, that sounds great.

Original poster
Zooforhouse · 06/02/2022 09:20

Thanks everyone. I’m so excited about the house and have done worst case scenario maths for about 2 months now, but the rising energy costs are giving me palpitations! Good to hear there are solutions that don’t involve UPVC or a million pounds

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LemonSwan · 06/02/2022 12:37

I would get some quotes for getting them upgraded to double glazing (ie. refurbished not new frames).

If they are in good condition then it will cost that more than the cost of secondary glazing but theres no point paying out twice.

We just did this comparison and decided to take the hit. Best decision we have made. They are gorgeous and besides the slight sheen on the windows at an angle (self cleaning nano glazing) you cant tell they are any different.

Original poster
Zooforhouse · 06/02/2022 13:27

That’s interesting, how much does it cost? (Realise it’s window dependant!)

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SilenzioBruno · 06/02/2022 13:31

@LemonSwan did you have wobbly glass before? Do you miss it?

NewHouseNewMe · 06/02/2022 13:32

I have now had them twice.
In house 1, it was for house and it works well.
In house 2 it was for energy efficiency. I didn’t like them as they seemed to obscure the light coming in and the view out. You also need a hood gap of a half of foot so the window sills are all glass.
If you can, I’d look at other options as they’re not that cost effective in the end.

NewHouseNewMe · 06/02/2022 13:33

First house was for NOISE I mean.

SilenzioBruno · 06/02/2022 13:34

@Zooforhouse really hope the house purchase works out for you.

I get how you feel about the rising energy costs… I have been reminded of the virtues of thermal undershirts and hot water bottles since we moved six months ago! It’s surprising how much difference they make. Does the house have a wood burner?

Original poster
Zooforhouse · 06/02/2022 14:30

It does have a wood burner!

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LemonSwan · 06/02/2022 14:49

Sure OP. We had c. 18 full height sash windows (2m x 1m) which included 4 bays. It cost just under 20k but was a full restoration (stripping back to wood, replacing rotten wood, repainting etc.) not just new glass.

@SilenzioBruno

Our original glass wasn't particularly wobbly. The house was built late 1920s so were only c. 90 yo so not super old antique.

It was just boring flat thin dull and dirty glass. All our frames needed restoring as well and half the house is back to brick so I never spent enough time in there previously to really consider it.

Basically I love our windows now. Well worth getting it done because besides the glass and the frame restoration; he also put in new cords, reweighted, put in draft excluders, upgraded the security by adding a piece so someone cant open it from the outside (similar to stopping how you can run a card down a door to flick the latch).

I can now open up and down with the push of a single finger and close. Just like in my wildest dreams Grin

He was incredible and very pleased we spent the money.

SilenzioBruno · 06/02/2022 17:25

@Zooforhouse It does have a wood burner!
Great, then you’ll be able to make one room really cosy of an evening until you’ve sorted out the windows Grin. You’re right that lined curtains will also make a big difference.

@LemonSwan it’s good to hear how pleased you were with the service. Sorry for quizzing you again but I’m curious how thick the double glazed units were that you managed to install in the original frame? Ours are 30 years older than yours and only have space for about 8 or 10mm gap between the glazing which obviously affects performance. Would you be willing to share the name of the company/joiner you used? We’re in the Guildford area.

Original poster
Zooforhouse · 06/02/2022 17:30

Ah, that sounds great vs retrofitting double glazing. House is 1919 so very similar!

Georgian style panes tho….

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LemonSwan · 06/02/2022 17:44

@SilenzioBruno

Of the top of my head I dont actually know sorry. But they are slim argon filled double glazing with self cleaning nano glass.

I found this site for you which might be of use...
www.uaglass.co.uk/ultra-thin-double-glazed-units-sashlite/

@Zooforhouse
And yes ours were georgian style as well with the bars. So the 1 x 2m windows are made up of a series of smaller units.

LemonSwan · 06/02/2022 17:48

@SilenzioBruno

And apologies we are midlands and he is a local tradesman only so not much use apologies.

In terms of performance they have made a massive difference and we dont currently have curtains as house is being renovated. Its very warm inside - but we have also upgraded all the heating brand new so very good column radiators under each window and everything bled / working properly. We also have double brick skin. The house has potential to actually be very efficient (B rating) so the windows were important to us.

Original poster
Zooforhouse · 06/02/2022 17:48

This really sounds promising thanks! I’ll show my husband. Who will tell me off for being on mumsnet 😜

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