The Benefits Of Secondary Glazing – A Practical Way To Keep Your Period Home Energy Efficient
For homeowners who want to improve the energy efficiency and insulation of their windows, secondary glazing can be a practical and cost-effective option that preserves the character of their period or listed property. While upgrading to bespoke handcrafted timber windows with slimline double glazing will be the preferred finish, planning restrictions, conservation regulations, and the cost of complete window replacements can all be major obstacles in any restoration process.
In these cases, NMJ works with Omega Build, one of our trusted suppliers, to supply made-to-measure secondary glazing. Ideal for period, listed, or conservation properties, secondary glazing using both wood and aluminium is a practical and effective way to increase thermal and noise insulation, reduce draughts, and improve energy efficiency without replacing your original windows.
What is secondary glazing?
Secondary glazing is an additional internal window frame installed on the inside of a single-glazed window to create a second layer of glazing. Installing secondary glazing creates a minimum air gap of 50mm between the new frame and the original window to improve thermal efficiency and reduce draughts inside without changing the window’s external appearance.
In the past, secondary glazing had the reputation of being a temporary, less effective alternative to having double glazing in the home. However, the modern craftsmanship and high-quality wood and aluminium materials used by Omega mean that secondary glazing can be stylish, functional, and highly effective, coming in sliding, hinged, fixed, or completely bespoke options.
These features make it an excellent option for homeowners who can’t replace their original windows but still want to improve thermal efficiency.
Why choose secondary glazing?
Thanks to its naturally insulating properties, wood goes a long way towards retaining warmth in your home, making it a better material choice than any metal or uPVC alternatives. Omega’s secondary glazing uses a blend of wood and aluminium that gives a softer, more traditional look in keeping with and complementing the character of heritage properties and period homes.
So, by choosing high-quality, handcrafted wooden frames, you can maintain the charm of your original windows while benefiting from increased insulation. But even as slimline double glazing is becoming increasingly accepted in the planning process for period properties, some homeowners may still need an alternative and secondary glazing brings plenty of benefits, including:
Improved thermal efficiency
Single-glazed windows in older period properties, especially timber sliding sash windows and flush casement windows, often allow heat loss through thermal transmittance (U-value). The higher the U-value, the greater the heat loss. This heat loss is one of the key reasons homeowners choose secondary glazing.
By creating a thermal barrier against the cold air between the primary window and the secondary glazing, the combined windows can reduce heat loss by up to 68%, making each room warmer and more energy-efficient.
Additional draughtproofing
Older wooden windows and frames are also prone to damage, rot, or gaps that can let icy draughts flow through. Alongside the energy efficiency benefits, modern secondary glazing helps stop these draughts from reaching your living space, improving the overall insulation and comfort of your home and saving your heating bills.
Noise reduction
If your home is in a busy urban or city area, secondary glazing can also be an excellent sound barrier, reducing external pedestrian, road, or plane noise. The additional layer of internal glazing helps dampen vibrations, insulate against sound pollution, and gives you a quieter, more peaceful living space.
Preserving period features
If you live in a listed building, period property, or conservation area, preserving the original character and appearance of your windows is essential. New guidance on glazing is now in force which makes it easier to install slim-profile double-glazed windows within existing or new replacement frames that are made to match the property’s character.
However, if you find you can’t change your original windows for any reason, secondary glazing gives you an excellent alternative that maintains the character and integrity of period homes while still offering all the energy-efficient and money-saving benefits.
Affordability
While replacing period windows with bespoke, slimline double-glazed units is a worthwhile investment, depending on the number of windows, you may not have the budget for full replacements. Secondary glazing, with its mix of wood and aluminium materials, gives you a more affordable and cost-effective way to improve energy efficiency without having the higher costs of new and bespoke joinery.
Choosing secondary glazing for your home
Off-the-shelf secondary glazing may not always provide the best fit for period properties with uneven or inconsistent structural dimensions. On top of that, they might also miss the mark in terms of matching the charm and character of your current period windows. But if you’re looking for a unique finish, bespoke wood and aluminium secondary glazing is an ideal choice.
Omega is one of our long-standing and trusted suppliers. Because we’ve worked with them many times, we know from experience that their bespoke, made-to-measure secondary glazing frames give a perfect fit ready for us to install. Much like our own handcrafted timber windows, they’re made with superior craftsmanship and give you an elegant and functional internal glazed frame fitted for your home’s individual requirements.
Available pre-glazed with glass from 4mm toughened to thicker laminates and acoustic glass, your secondary glazing can be made as a 2-5 panel horizontal slider, balanced or tiled vertical sliders, lift-out units, or as single or double hinged units. Each option will give you a high-quality finish that complements the existing joinery rather than detracting from it.
Trust NMJ and Omega for an energy-efficient finish
While secondary glazing might not always be the first choice for improving window insulation and energy efficiency, it does provide an effective alternative if you can’t replace all your windows in one go. Whether it’s down to listed building constraints or budget limitations, secondary glazing offers a practical and cost-effective way to preserve the charm and character of your period home while keeping it energy efficient.
If you’re thinking about installing secondary glazing in your home, our team can visit you for a complete site survey and, working alongside Omega Build, deliver bespoke frames crafted to your exact needs and measurements.
Get in touch today to learn more about how we can help you improve your home’s warmth and comfort without compromising its character or historical integrity. Call us today on 01822 615 010, email us at info@nathanmccarter.co.uk, or message us to get started.