Secondary Glazing For Sash Windows
Many homeowners aren’t able to install double glazing to their homes, either due to financial constraints or because the structure is listed and modifications to the exterior are forbidden.
Secondary glazing is a fantastic alternative to sash windows. It can be installed several ways.
This is a double-paned window that can be placed inside your existing window frame. It provides insulation and noise reduction, while stopping cold air from entering the home.
Fixed Inserts
There are a variety of styles of secondary glazing available for sash windows. Each style offers each of its own benefits ranging from increased security to reduced condensation. Which one is best for you?
The fundamental idea behind secondary glazing is fitting an additional glass pane within your window sash repairs frame. This provides an additional layer of insulation and noiseproofing to your home, increasing its energy efficiency.
It’s not always feasible to add double-glazed windows, particularly if your house is a listed property or you are governed by strict planning regulations dictating what can and cannot be done to your exterior.
In these situations secondary glazing is an excellent alternative that can be put in with ease. It’s also a popular option for people looking to update their home without having to tear down the original windows with sash and replace them with new ones.
There are a variety of different options for secondary glazing sash windows, each of which is configurable to suit your frame. Proprietary systems are generally made of painted aluminum frames that fit the existing bead depth on windows with sash. This allows sills and shutters to be kept.
They can be fitted with a variety of mounting methods, including glazing clips and Velcro. These are more appealing than screw-fixed units and are ideally suited to windows that do not need to be opened frequently. You can also choose a fixed lift-out unit that can be easily removed and reinstalled to allow you to open your windows.
Horizontal Sliders
Horizontal Sliders offer excellent thermal insulation and are the most popular option for enhancing existing windows made of sash. They are also extremely discreet and are ideal for historic structures, conservation areas and listed properties. In the majority of cases, they can be installed without access from outside because they operate from inside.
They are simple to operate by hand and can be open wide or left partially open to allow for ventilation. They are effective at keeping out draughts, and also block harmful UV light. They can be used in combination with a flyscreen to keep out mosquitoes and other insects during the summer months.
Our Trackglaze horizontal sliding systems offer all the benefits of modern double glazing to your traditional sash windows. It is comprised of PVC double sliding track on all four sides of cavity with a brush seal around each sheet of glass and a finger pull angle handle to function as a hand and decrease bowing. It is available in kits of 1m or 2m lengths of track and angle that can be joined to make larger spans.
The acoustic advantages of secondary glazing are extremely significant and it can significantly reduce noise from outside, especially railway, road and airport traffic. The addition of laminated glass or toughened glasses enhances the acoustic performances. Secondary glazing is a standard feature that can reduce outside noise by 52dB(Rw) and specialist glass like Stadip Silence Laminated Acoustic Glass can deliver even higher levels of acoustic performance.
It can boost the efficiency of your home by keeping it warm for longer. This can reduce the use of central heating. It’s much less expensive than replacing sash cords your sash windows near me windows and is installed almost everywhere without the need to take out the window or door frame.
Vertical Sliders
Secondary glazing is a cost-effective choice that is usually easier to manage than full window replacement. It’s suitable for Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas. It’s a great way to modernize traditional sash windows in Suffolk & Essex while retaining their originality.
Vertical Sliders are designed especially for sash windows, where regular hinged panels don’t work. They have two secondary sashes which are secured, one over the other, within an outer frame. They are supported by robust spring balances to allow for easy movement. The system is available as a face-fixed’ (installed to the inside of the existing window) to improve thermal performance or a ‘reveal-fixed version that is fitted with an air cavity for glass inside the window reveal, to ensure optimal audio-acoustic performance.
You can pick from a variety of stop-strips and handles to meet your needs. They can be positioned in the closed position for additional security, or propped open to allow ventilation on the glass’s top or bottom. They can be equipped with an insulation bristle to block drafts.
‘Choices’ Imagine vertical slider secondary glazing features all the timber-like details you’d expect from an antique window treatment and comes in an array of colours to match your existing sash. It’s nearly impossible to distinguish from original sash windows, as features like sash horns and traditional joints are incorporated into the design. It’s available in a wide variety of sizes and can accept glass up to 6.8mm to give additional insulation against heat loss. A tilt-in option is also available that allows the individual sashes of the frame to hinge inward on safety stays to aid in cleaning.
Hinged Casement
Our single-pane hinged secondary glazing can be fitted to windows in sash of any design including casement and traditional box sash. Our hinged units can be equipped with a keylock handle, and are constructed with multi-point locking. This ensures that the glass panel is secured securely in place and pulls close to the frame creating a seal designed to reduce heat loss. Hinged windows can be top-hung or side-hung and can be double-glazed. Double-glazed windows offer enhanced sound insulation and are available in 43dB,47dB or 51dB.
Casement windows can open up and let in breezes at different angles. This is different from a horizontal sash window, that has movable sashes inside the frame that move horizontally. They can be opened from the top and bottom for controlled airflow. For this reason, they can help improve airflow and provide an effective alternative to traditional sash windows.
They are used in modern homes due to their small “sightlines” that allow for an unobstructed view. However, they can also be installed into listed properties because they don’t require transoms and mullions. They can also be utilized in places that are difficult to reach since they can be opened by turning the handle.
The primary drawback to this type of window is that it can block large openings and may restrict the use of certain window treatments. They are also difficult to clean since they open outwards, and may require regular maintenance and servicing.
Lift Out Windows
Secondary glazing can be installed with a variety of methods and the cost will vary according to the thickness, type and materials you select for your panes and frame. UPVC windows are typically the most affordable followed by aluminium and then wooden window frames. Specialised glass can also increase the price and include additional features such as security or sound reduction.
Another factor that will influence the cost is the complexity of the installation. The more complex the project is, the more time and labour will be required. This is especially applicable to older properties with more complex design of sash windows.
The best place to begin is to evaluate the condition of your existing windows. Having them surveyed by an experienced professional will give you an accurate estimate of what the cost might be.
In general, secondary glazing has little effect on the appearance of your home. This is thanks to the fact that modern FINEO double-glazing has sleek and subtle frame lines, so you can get the most efficient thermal performance without compromising on aesthetics.
A popular choice of secondary glazing is horizontal sliding, which provides easy access to existing sash windows to clean or ventilation. They can also be purchased with a tilt feature, which you can activate by releasing the catch on your secondary glazing panel and lifting it vertically to a set point. This is ideal for windows that don’t open often and can be used to facilitate access for air cooling in bay windows. They can be used to open the middle sash of a traditional sash Bay Window to create a symmetrical appearance.