Have you ever been comfortable at home only to have your cosy environment ruined by cold draughts? Those period windows are probably responsible. But don’t worry—there may be an easy and stylish solution referred to as secondary glazing. It’s like adding a layer of insulation and safety to your existing window. So, what is secondary glazing?
In this guide, we’ll cover secondary glazing, why it is an alternative to double glazing, the different types available, whether you can have secondary double glazing, and so much more. Let’s get started!
What Exactly is Secondary Glazing?
Okay, let’s start with the basics. Secondary glazing consists of adding another pane of glass to the inside of modern domestic windows. It creates a pocket of air that acts as insulation, improving the thermal performance of your existing window and reducing outside noise. Unlike new double-glazed windows, secondary glazing is a non-invasive enhancement for your property.
A Quick History Lesson
The concept of secondary glazing has been around for ages. It first popped up in the early 1900s to help historic homes retain heat and make them warmer and nicer to live in. As time passed, new materials and innovative production techniques made secondary glazing a popular choice for contemporary homes.
Why Secondary Glazing Can Be The Best Option
Keeping out cold draughts is just the start. Secondary glazing has a host of real benefits; let’s examine them in more detail.
Thermal Insulation
One key benefit of secondary glazing is its superior insulation compared to single-glazed windows. The extra glass panel acts as a barrier inside the primary window, ensuring heat retention, lowering energy bills, and guaranteeing a warm and draught-free environment. This insulating layer works really well in period properties and listed buildings, where it can be difficult or impossible to install double or triple glazing to prevent heat loss due to strict regulations.
Improved Sound Insulation
Secondary glazing can make a noticeable difference to the amount of external noise that comes into a property. This is ideal for old houses adjacent to busy roads or located in areas with a lot of traffic. Even for modern properties on housing estates, secondary glazing can reduce noise from neighbours or nearby commercial premises.
Related: Sound Proofing | Double Glazing Noise Insulation
Increased Security
On top of excellent insulation during the winter months and improved soundproofing, secondary glazing provides another layer of protection to the most vulnerable point of your home – the windows. Some secondary glazing features include increased frame strength or toughened glass options for maximum security. However, security isn’t just about keeping intruders out. If you have infants or young children, then secondary glazing can help protect a young family from accessing windows with the potential for serious accidents.
Related: Window Security Locks
Privacy
One of the features of secondary glazing is that it comes with obscure glass options. Combine these with horizontal sliding secondary glazing or vertical sliders, and you can opt for privacy at certain times of the day, sliding back the panel to a clear view when it suits you. Vertical and horizontal sliders are ideal for rooms with noisy vehicular traffic or pedestrian footfall at certain times. The sliders give privacy and reduce external noise, but can be opened up for a clear view at different times of the day.
Finding the Perfect Fit
With so many secondary glazing products on offer, let’s focus on some of the different features to help you make the right choice for your home.
Styles and Designs
Secondary glazing is a little different from single-glazed windows because of its purpose. There are hinged, sliding, or raised-out designs, so there’s plenty of choice to suit the style and age of your property.
Hinged secondary glazing is straightforward to look after and keep clean with easy access. Vertical or horizontal sliders often work well with large windows.
Materials and Glass Options
Depending on your preference and budget, you can get a window frame made from aluminium, wood, or uPVC. For the glass, there are many different choices, including standard, toughened, obscure, and secondary double glazing. There’s even acrylic secondary glazing. If you work with the right secondary glazing specialists, you can bespoke all of these different options for traditional or period homes.
Installation and Upkeep
Installing secondary glazing to an existing window couldn’t be easier and is far quicker and with much less mess than opting for a full double glazing refit.
Call in the Pros
While some householders can probably install secondary glazing themselves using secondary glazing kits, we generally recommend calling in a professional team. Experienced installers can ensure a perfect fit and all the appropriate sealing, plus compliance with building regulations and any listed building codes or requirements stipulated by English Heritage.
Low-Maintenance Living
After the initial installation, secondary glazing is quite low-maintenance. Most windows are easy to clean with just warm, soapy water. This is a good opportunity to inspect the windows and make sure there are no defects that need repairing.
Is Secondary Glazing Worth the Investment?
Secondary glazing will save money compared to a full window refit for your existing single-glazed windows. But, the cost of secondary glazing seems steep compared to conventional double-glazing window replacements. However, you have to remember that secondary glazing has numerous benefits and can save you money in the long run.
Your Investment Pays Off
When weighing up the different prices, most studies will tell you that the initial outlay will pay for itself over the following months with lower heating costs. Your home will also benefit from an uplift in its value.
Preserving Classic Style
Another fantastic feature of secondary glazing is that it seamlessly complements all property styles—traditional, period, and contemporary. With unique shades and finishes available, you can find the precise look to complement your home and decor.
Keeping Historical Homes Authentic
For historic houses or buildings with original period windows, preserving that historic look and feel is essential and protected by law. Secondary glazing allows you to combine modern-day comforts with the preservation of traditional windows.
What Is Secondary Glazing: Final Thoughts
Secondary glazing is a low-cost and cost-effective solution. It improves the thermal and acoustic performance of large and small windows, and comes in various designs and types to suit different requirements and preferences. You can also tailor it to specific windows whilst keeping the character of traditional period features. Enjoy improved thermal regulation, lower energy bills, noise reduction, and security. Secondary glazing is for homeowners who want to improve their living space without big and costly renovations and make their homes warmer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you mount secondary glazing on any form of window?
Yes, you can add secondary glazing to most window types, including casement, sash, bay, and bow windows. If you live in a property with windows of a non-standard size or design, professional installers can custom-match the glazing to accommodate one-of-a-kind window sizes and styles.
How long does secondary glazing last?
With proper set-up and preservation, secondary glazing can last a long time. However, different factors can affect its lifespan. Longevity can depend on things like material quality, weather exposure, and cleaning and maintenance.
Is secondary glazing suitable for listed buildings or historic houses?
Yes, secondary glazing is a great choice for listed buildings or historic homes. It retains warm air and provides a cost-effective option for optimal energy efficiency. It also reduces condensation. Secondary glazing allows you to retain the character and style of the original windows and will usually align with specific requirements for listed building preservation.
Can secondary glazing solve condensation problems?
Yes, secondary glazing reduces condensation on windows. It does this by creating an insulating air gap between the main window and the extra glazing, which stops warm air from inside the house from coming into contact with colder glass caused by outside temperatures. This contrast creates condensation, and secondary glazing will stop this from happening.
Is secondary glazing easy to remove or update?
Secondary glazing installation is simple and straightforward. Some types of secondary glazing panels are designed to be easy to remove or replace; however, others may require more specialist installation.
