If your home only currently has single glazing, you may wish to improve this with double or secondary glazed windows. Double Glazing may, however, not be an option, either because of the high costs involved or because there are restrictions in place such as if your property is a Listed Building. Secondary glazed windows may be the answer in these scenarios.
Secondary glazed windows offer some of the benefits of double glazing but are much cheaper. A second sheet of glass or plastic is added to an existing window which will improve heat loss from the window, albeit not to quite the same extent as with double glazing. This will save you energy and money and reduce your carbon emissions. Condensation should be reduced and, providing that there is a sufficient gap between the window (minimum 150mm) and a second pane of glass, noise will also be reduced.
There are basically two options for secondary glazed windows. You can either install an aluminium-framed pane of glass inside the existing or attach a sheet of plastic to the original window. The former can be done yourself but you may wish to employ a professional to ensure that you are getting the maximum benefit from the secondary glazing. The plastic sheeting is very easy to install yourself, is cheap and is available from high street DIY stores. It does, however, only last for one cold season.
In installing secondary glazed windows it is important to ensure that the original window can still be accessed. This is important for summer ventilation but also, critically, for emergency escape.
For further Information on Double Glazing click on the links below
