West Country Windows has invited prospective customers to a discussion on secondary glazing – how and where it can be made to work effectively, and what you need to know before you make a purchasing decision. The popular view in the industry is that secondary glazing is typically regarded as a sort of compromise by consumers. It’s usually installed in older buildings, especially in conservation areas, where controls are in place to maintain the external qualities of the property - but where owners also want to boost energy efficiency.

However, perception and reality are quite different here. Secondary glazing also delivers lots of other advantages, offering maximum soundproofing and enhanced security. These systems allow you to add a second slim-line window to the inside of your existing window, usually constructed from timber or aluminium. Most secondary glazing systems use a sliding horizontal mechanism or vertical design – although hinged and so-called ‘lift-out’ units are available too. As a leading window company in the South-West, we supply uPVC, wooden and aluminium secondary glazing.

Aluminium is a good choice because it features extraordinarily slim sightlines and delivers high levels of security. This can be applied directly to your existing windows or as part of a hardwood or MDF sub-frame, meaning they can be reveal or face-fixed. Aside from the material used, there are a few other issues you should get to grips with before making a purchase. If you desire to maximise the thermal and acoustic efficiency of your new secondary glazing, for example, then make sure that the gap between it and your current windows is no less than 100mm.

It’s also important to make sure that you specify the right glass. All secondary glazing will improve the thermal efficiency of your home - but selecting an ultra-energy efficient glass category will help you to make the very best of it. For example, today’s more cutting-edge window companies will supply secondary glazing systems with Pilkington K Low E glass. This reduces emissivity – the transfer of heat – between the inside and the outside faces of the pane. The benefits don’t stop there, either. The right specification also delivers a really high level of sound insulation.

Acoustic double and triple-glazing can go a long way to reducing nuisance noise - but secondary glazing goes further still, blocking noise by up to 70 per cent. Again, establishing the right gap between primary and secondary glazing is important to achieve the best result. Most panes of glass used in single glazed windows are around 4mm thick. If it’s pre-20th century (perhaps an original sliding sash window), it might be as little as 3mm. In this case, to maximize sound insulation, you need a space of 150mm. If the original glass is 6mm thick this can drop to 100mm.

To find out more about the systems we sell - or if you feel you need more information to establish if secondary glazing is the right solution for your home - please contact West Country Windows today by phone or email.

Contact Information
Address: 36 Goldcroft, Yeovil, Somerset, BA21 4DH United Kingdom
Telephone Number: 0800378371
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.west-country-windows.co.uk/