Secondary Glazing

2. Increased Thermal Insulation and No Draughts

The main culprit of heat loss after a poorly insulated roof, are your windows where a surprising amount of heat can be lost from a property. This could be due to single glazed windows and draughty frames, old windows and even double-glazed windows can lose heat. Particularly if the window has a poorly insulated frame, or is badly fitted. We recommend either 4mm glass and polycarbonate, or 4mm K glass for the most effective heat insulation solution. It is important also to ensure your frames are draught proofed, you don't want any annoying draughts. A fixed panel can achieve both. The optimal gap for thermal insulation is 15-20mm. If your existing window is single glazed with a secondary glazing unit with standard 4mm glass, you can achieve a U value of 2.8 w/m2k and by using the K glass you could achieve a U value of 1.868 w/m2k. SAVE MONEY with secondary glazing insulation!

3. How Much Does Secondary Glazing Cost?

Secondary glazing is available in a wide range of solutions, to suit a range of budgets. Depending on which you choose, the cost can be cheaper than replacing your current windows. A simple fixed panel with some edging trims is low cost and straight forward to fit. If however you want a fully functioning sash style opening secondary glazing unit, such as a balanced vertical slider it will be much more costly. All the kits we supply are suitable to be fitted by a competent DIYer. Please see our section on the website about client case studies to see the options in our datasheets, and what low cost solutions are available to you.

Whichever option you choose it is less expensive than double-glazing all and you get the benefits of double-glazing without the cost. Also installation is a diy job, whereas double-glazing will require fitting by a professional.

4. Convenience

Replacement secondary gazing does not involve replacing your windows. This is ideal for people who live in older and/or listed properties. This means that the process is also not subject to any UK building regulations. As such, you can easily install one of our glazing solutions without having to undergo the time-consuming and potentially expensive approval process of building control. However, it is important to note that if your property is subject to any UK specific building regulations, such as Listed Building Control, you might have to undergo the approval process.

5. Increased Security

It can also improve the security of your home, by offering of an additional barrier. It is difficult to open a secondary glazed window from the outside. This means that even if intruders are able to get through the main window (the single glazing), the secondary layer will deter them from entering your house as it will take time to break through. Just the sight of it should be enough to deter a burglar.

Useful TIP: When installing a glazing unit, use hard to break safety glasses e.g. plate polycarbonate, laminated or toughened glass to improve the security of your windows.

6. Fire Control and Safety

It is important that the glazing meets fire ratings. With the Omega Smart Secondary glazing range we only supply it with UV protected plate polycarbonate. This is 250 times stronger than glass, half the weight and meets UK fire and safety rating BS 6206 – Class A BS 6262 – Class A EN 12600 – Class 1 If fire escape access is required please ensure one window has a secondary glazing panel that can be easily opened or removed.

7. Secondary Glazing is Environmentally Sound

Window glazing helps conserve the environment. This is supported by the fact that the process improves thermal efficiency by reducing heat loss, and thus the amount of energy consumed. It also does not encourage throwing away old windows which might contribute to landfill. Instead, it extends their lifespan by addition of a new, secondary layer. What’s more, if you would like to remove yours, aluminium is a recyclable material that is in high demand and it would therefore not contribute to the landfill. It is also reommended by the Energy Saving Trust.

8. It Promotes a Pleasant Environment inside the House

The old single glazing method usually provides ineffective seals and may sometimes fail to close properly. This allows cold draughts, ingress, rattles and vibrations, pollen, dust and other airborne pollutants to enter your house easily. These things might be hazardous to your health. The ideal solution lies in installing secondary glazed windows that provide the most effective tight seals, which blocks any unwanted materials and sounds from getting into your home via your window frames.

9. Condensation Control

Condensation Problems with windows is one of the biggest problems faced by many homeowners in most parts of UK, especially during winter. You can virtually eliminate this problem by investing in secondary glazed windows. It is important you address the root cause of the excess moisture if it is caused by damp walls etc. Ensure you are left with adequate ventilation to vent of damp air created by cooking, washing, sleeping etc . Even a low cost kit can really work. The fact that these panes can be easily removed makes it easy for you to take them off in summer and put them back in winter.

Conclusion

These are the major benefits you can enjoy today if you invest in a aluminium secondary glazing kit for example, with great benefits such as thermal efficiency, reduced cost, noise reduction and environmental conservation. Also before you ask 'does secondary glazing work'...YES, it does.

Experiences Of Our Secondary Glazing Customers

"I've used your products (4mm acrylic) for our secondary glazed traditional sash window and case windows, because proprietary secondary glazing looked god awfull with a heavy PVC frame bolted to the window. I am delighted with the results. The outer / inner windows dont steam up. The end finish is so unobtrusive my wife has stuck a small "sticker" on each window to prevent people bumping into them, because they don't notice the inner pane is there and the draught proofing and heat retention is superb. In due course we will install it to other windows in our property. "

"Thanks for sending your newsletter", it prompts me to take the opportunity to say how pleased we have been with the benefits ofsecondary glazing kit you sent us a few weeks ago. It was cut to exactly the measurements we asked for and the instructions were clear and helpful. The tapes were good quality and adhered well. The result is hopefully warmer rooms from a system which is hardly noticeable. We chose Omega after an internet search and are very pleased to have found a company whose products are priced reasonably and do exactly what the website claims."

"Dear Omegabuild, thank you very much for your delivery - swift service - and good customer care - all the items arrived to the spec' that I had ordered and were well packaged and in good condition on arrival. I would be happy to give you a quotation with my name for marketing purposes to state how superb your customer service is!"

"Thank you very much for your excellent service. Your website said it would be delivered in 3 days and it was, I requested your driver call before he delivered which he did. The product was well protected and cut to the right size. It is very refreshing to receive such good customer care. I will be recommending you to others.".

"I wanted to pass on my thanks and appreciation of your service and products.It can be a little daunting sometimes ordering materials from peopleyou haven't met or products you haven't seen,especially sheets of perspex !I am pleased to recommend you all most highly,the packing is was nearly as good as the sheeting itself.Tricia on sales was a delight,the help and service you provide is perfect. We are already reaping the benefit of your products. Great big thank you."