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Tired of draughty, inefficient windows that waste energy and boost your bills? Secondary glazing offers a simple and affordable solution.
By installing a secondary glazing system on the interior of existing windows, homeowners can upgrade performance without the high cost of full replacement.
What is Secondary Glazing?
Secondary glazing is an independent system that adds an extra layer of glass and framing on the inside of your current windows. A custom-fit secondary glazing system transforms single pane windows into enhanced double glazed ones.
The separate aluminium frame and specialty glass are mounted on the interior window frame or reveal. This leaves your original windows completely untouched on the exterior. Secondary glazing improves the functionality of existing windows without altering character or charm.
This interior application leaves original facades untouched. The secondary glazing increases glass depth and creates an insulating air cavity between the existing and new glazing. It’s an adaptable retrofit approach that upgrades functionality without alterations.
An Upgrade for Heritage Homes
Homeowners in older, heritage properties especially face a dilemma – how to upgrade inefficient original windows without compromising historical charm. Secondary glazing offers an elegant solution. By installing a separate interior glazing system, it’s possible to improve thermal performance, sound insulation, security, and sustainability while retaining the beauty of period windows.
Benefits of Secondary Glazing
Improved energy efficiency
Secondary glazing enhances the insulating performance of windows, reducing heat loss that drives up energy bills. It can lower the U-value, a measure of thermal efficiency, by 1.8 – 1.9 compared to single glazing.
Reduced drafts
Advanced framing and seals create an airtight barrier between the panes that keeps warm air in and cold air out. No more chilly drafts!
Lower carbon footprint
By curtailing heat loss, secondary glazing cuts reliance on heating systems, thereby reducing a home’s carbon emissions. It’s a green, eco-friendly upgrade.
Noise reduction
The added layer of glass buffers interior spaces from outside noise pollution. Secondary glazing dampens both street noise and weather sounds like rain.
Enhanced security
Its durable, protective glazing also boosts security and weatherproofing, shielding the vulnerable original windows.
Ideal for Period Homes and Listed Buildings
Secondary glazing offers major benefits with minimal impact on historical aesthetics or fabric. Since it is reversible, leaving original windows untouched, secondary glazing is an approved solution for listed buildings and period homes where regulations limit replacement options.
It extends the life of existing single glazed windows without alterations, improving function while respecting heritage.
High Performance Glazing
Advanced glass options and gas fills between panes optimise the insulation, sound dampening, and security provided by secondary glazing. Low-E glass reflects interior heat back into rooms.
Argon gas fills further limit heat conductivity. Laminated and acoustic glass reduce noise penetration. With specialised glazing, secondary systems meet stringent testing standards for thermal and sound insulation.
Secondary Glazing is Cost-Effective
Creating tight seals and barriers against sound, air, heat, and weather, secondary glazing enhances living comforts and efficiency at a fraction of the cost of full window replacement.
For homeowners seeking improved functionality without luxury renovation costs, it’s the optimal affordable solution. Reduce your energy bills and environmental impact while retaining the charm of your home’s original windows with secondary glazing.
Secondary Glazing: An Affordable Upgrade
Secondary glazing provides meaningful improvements in efficiency, comfort, and sustainability at a reasonable cost. By retrofitting high-performance glazing inside your existing windows, it’s possible to upgrade their functionality without the expense of full custom window replacement.
For period properties, secondary glazing is a versatile, adaptable solution that respects history while advancing performance. Unlock the benefits of modern double glazing without saying goodbye to your heritage windows!
Secondary Window Styles & Designs
We have a selection of secondary glazed window styles and designs to choose from. These include:
- Hinged and fixed secondary glazing.
- Sliding secondary glazing.
- Vertical sliding secondary glazing.
Explaining The Types of Secondary Glazing
Hinged and Fixed Secondary Glazing
This is a popular style of secondary glazing that is the perfect solution for masking hardwood windows that let in draught air. This immediately improves the heat insulation of your home while saving you money on energy bills.
Sliding Secondary Glazing
Sliding secondary glazing options are designed to introduce additional style and comfort to a building. Generally of excellent quality, two popular styles of sliding secondary glazing are vertical and horizontal, the use of which is dependent on the shape and size of your window. The fantastic insulation properties of these glazing options work to save you money on energy bills, while also perfectly matching the style of your home.
Vertical Sliding Secondary Glazing
Vertically sliding secondary glazing is manufactured with guillotine shoot bolts for minor windows and is typically spirally balanced for larger windows. This type of secondary glazing is ideal for windows that are taller than they are wide. It works by half the window sliding vertically over the other half. This type of unit is most beneficial to listed buildings because they assist in the eradication of draughts while improving insulation. A vacuum between the two units is created, which is similar to double-glazing. This serves to eliminate noise pollution and draughts. Sliding windows may also be sealed with a twin polypropylene weather pile to provide comfort and extra insulation.
Horizontal Sliding Secondary Glazing
Horizontal sliding secondary glazing has a horizontal sliding action, very similar to the movement of sliding patio doors. It works particularly well on windows that are split vertically into 2 panes. In this way, the bars of the secondary glazing are able to match the design of your current window.
This option is ideal for windows that are wider than they are high. Horizontal sliding secondary glazing also provides fantastic insulation and noise reduction qualities. Finished with a twin polypropylene weather pile sealant, you get the peace of mind of knowing that your windows not only look great but are also extremely secure.
Noise Reduction
Secondary Glazing is noted for reducing noise pollution and removing the irritation that can be faced from traffic or noise from passing crowds.
The sound test on our glazing measures sounds intensity on dB. The higher the dB the louder the noise. Our secondary glazing glass achieved fantastic results in the reduction of sound. An example being with 4mm glass at 39 dB, there was an estimated
Discreet and Compatible Design
Slimline frames maximise views and allow secondary glazing to blend discreetly with existing façades. Frames can be painted to match interiors. Since it requires no changes to original windows, secondary glazing is widely approved for heritage buildings and period homes where regulations limit replacement options. It extends the service life of beautiful old windows without aesthetic compromise.
Is secondary glazing as good as double glazing?
Ultimately, secondary glazing will be better to suited to some people than double and vice versa. So, we’ve looked at a range of key considerations to help you decide:
Noise reduction
Secondary glazing is slightly better at reducing the amount of external noise coming into the home than double. This is because the gap between the existing window and the secondary glazing is larger than the two sealed panes of glass you find on double.
Planning permission
If you live in a conservation area or listed building, planning restrictions might prevent you from fitting double glazing. In such cases, secondary is the only option if you want to make your home warmer, quiet and more secure.
Secondary glazing cost
Secondary glazing is more cost-effective to fit. However, double glazing is better at retaining heat in the home. Therefore, it tends to provide better long-term savings on your heating bills.
Maintenance
As secondary glazing requires you to clean 4 panes of glass instead of 2, maintenance times are slightly higher than double.
But no matter whether you prefer secondary or double, we install both here at Sheerwater Glass.
How do you clean secondary glazing?
Cleaning secondary glazed windows is very straightforward; all you need to do is wipe them down using warm, soapy water and a non-abrasive cloth or sponge.
The different types of secondary glazing also have their own features to make cleaning easier; horizontal secondary glazing can be removed from the frame; vertically-sliding versions have a contra-slide feature so you can access both sides of the glass.
