If you want to know more, check out the users reviews of secondary windows on mumsnet. Whilst secondary glazing and double glazing more or less perform the same job, there are some significant differences to consider before deciding which is the best option for you.
Double glazing is primarily designed to provide temperature control. They are made from two sheets of glass that have a gap between them that acts as extra insulation.
The gap is either a vacuum or filled with Argon gas which slows the movement of air from outside. Subsequently, double glazing windows keep the heat generated from your central heating inside the house, and cold air on the outside. In summer, they keep out the heat from the sun and keep your house cool. Secondary glazing also retains heat by adding a second layer of glass behind your existing single-glazed windows.
Whilst double glazing windows are marketed as the superior option, this is not necessarily the case. The insulation benefits of double glazing can sometimes be overstated. Although they offer enhanced energy efficiency and comfort, not all uPVC windows outperform secondary windows.
High-end double glazing windows are noticeably better. It is estimated the top-quality double glazing perform twice as well. The top-tier prices are also noticeably more expensive. If your primary concern is noise, secondary glazing has better soundproofing qualities than double glazing.
The wider gap is better equipped at muffling external noise. Secondary windows also have another advantage over their rival. When you fit double glazing, the existing windows are replaced. This means building work has to be carried out, and you have to dispose of your old windows.
You r windows might be in an awkward location and difficult to remove or replace. Also, if in the future, you no longer want the secondary panes in place, they are easily removed. Commercial buildings. Sometimes noisy workshops have offices that need to be insulated against sound as well as having windows to let light through.
Use secondary panes on these too. Many old houses have windows that let draughts through. Secondary glazing effectively seals off the rest of the room from these. Reducing costs. On average, secondary glazing can work out to be less than half the cost of even the cheapest double glazing units.
Many secondary glazing units contain toughened glass, which makes it very difficult for a prospective burglar to enter your home. They would have two windows to breach, not just one. Less disruption. One of the big advantages of having secondary glazing over double glazed units is that there is much less disruption and mess. Energy efficiency. Historic England produced a booklet entitled Energy Efficiency and Historic Buildings secondary glazing for windows to explain about secondary glazing in a listed building.
As often, secondary glazing is the only type of heat retention possible in period properties. In the booklet, they state that a window with a single glass pane has a heat loss value of about 5. But, when you attach a secondary glazing unit and use low emissivity glass, you can reduce heat loss to about 2. They also state that the optimal gap should be about 16 to 20mm. Except to say that both methods have their uses, can significantly improve thermal efficiency and are widely available for the general public.
Having said that, double glazing with wood, aluminium or uPVC frames must be installed by a professional window fitter , who ensures compliance with the UK Building Regulations. D ouble glazed units are much more efficient than secondary glazing.
The gap between the two glass panes is hermetically sealed and filled with an inert gas such as argon. In practice , we are limited by the construction of the primary window and how deep the frames are. It is a matter of doing the best we can to compromise and have the secondary pane as close to the primary as possible. The method used will vary depending on the type of secondary glazing you choose.
If you ha ve a large window to cover, say mm x mm or more, the magnets might not be strong enough to hold the weight of the panel. If this is the case, use plastic securing clips to take the weight. Use a vacuum cleaner and a soft brush to remove grit and dust. Then use a damp cloth and a detergent with a neutral pH to remove any grease marks.
After washing, dry with a lint — free cloth. Magnetic fixings just need you to pull the second ary panel away from the primary window frame. The magnetic strips are self-adhesive and can match the colour of your window so that you do not see them should you remove and store them during warmer months.
The material used to make magnetic secondary glazing is typically P. Polyethylene terephthalate which is a recyclable plastic. Magnetic secondary glazing can be attached and removed fairly easily which could come in handy during the summer months.
Unlike permanent secondary glazing, they do not have the opening and closing function but must be removed in their entirety to open the window. Secondary glazing can add a lot to your home for a relatively small price — from thermal advances and external noise reduction to improved security. Check out the full list below:. Similar to double glazing, having an extra pane of glass can lock in that much-needed warmth.
The air gap between the primary and secondary windows acts as an extra insulator, and prevents draughts. However, different types of glass will have varying levels of thermal efficiency. Low-E glass, for example, minimises the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light that comes through your glass, without minimizing the amount of light that enters your home. If you live in a particularly noisy area, secondary glazing could be your answer for a noise-free life.
There are three main ways that you can enhance that amount of noise your windows repel:. Thick glass provides better performance simply because the noise will have to travel through more material. The space between the outer pane of glass and the inner pane of glass will also make a huge difference, as it will being harder for noise to travel through. By barricading heat in your home, secondary glazing will also give your wallet a helping hand. Having a warm, cosy home will mean that reaching for the thermostat will become less of a habit, and eventually, your bills will start to decrease.
Unlike double glazing, secondary glazing is permitted on listed buildings. In some protected homes across the UK, homeowners are not allowed to replace windows — and if they are allowed, they must apply for planning permission. The secondary panel is barely noticeable too! This way, you get to preserve the character and charm of your home. To put it briefly, two panes of glass are much harder to break than one.
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