Secondary Glazing

[Dalesgate]

I have just had a quote for secondary glazing a traditional 1930s curved

5-section bay window., with 2 top openers and 3 bottom openers, and the estimate was £1750. This is almost as much as double glazing (i.e. complete replacement) of the same window.

Is this typical, as I thought secondary glazing was supposed to be a cheap alternative?

What are the typical cost savings compared to double glazing?

Also, can anyone recommend a good (cheap) installer of secondary glazing in the East Midlands area?

Andy

[BigWallop]

Piggy Back Glazing using clear acrylic sheeting is a good way to install extra thermal protection and noise reduction to single glazed windows. In fact Screwfix sell a pack of six sheets of 4mm thick by 1220mm by 915mm sizes for::: Here's a link to tell you more about the sheeting:

acrylic can be sawn to the size of the window panel and drilled and sealed to either the inside or outside of the old windows to create a decent gap to improve the properties of the heat loss and noise ingress.

[Dave Liquorice]

Doesn't matter how much or how little it is you don't want secondary glazing. Yes it is an improvement over single glazing but has some serious problems.

It makes it difficult to open the real windows. Condensation will be a problem in the gap, and with a traditional timber window frame this will lead to rot from the inside out. Yes, you can proabably put silica gel absorbers in the gap but they will need regular removal and drying out.

Have you thought about putting sealed units into the existing frames? OK you won't get 20mm gap units in but even 4 or 6mm makes a considerable difference. (Wonder if building regs allow this?)

[Dalesgate]

Any idea of cost (parts & fitting)?

Top panes are 430 x 230mm (x5) and bottom panes are 430 x 900mm (x5)...

[Dave Liquorice]

Not really but sealed units are not expensive. Tracking down a decent local maker might be harder, follow all the usual stuff, in business for 5 to 10 years plus, recomendation, see the previous work etc etc.

[Timothy Murphy]

Does anyone have suggestions for places to get secondary glazing frames?

I've put in Polycell secondary glazing in a large number of sash windows, and have been extremely pleased with the result.

Unfortunately Polycell seem to have ceased to make these units, so I am looking for an alternative.

I remember Which magazine did a survey some years ago, but unfortunately I no longer have that copy. I vaguely recall that Sellotape and Polycell were considered joint best, but it may well not have been Sellotape.

Any suggestions or information gratefully received.