What is the best gap for secondary glazing?

Having a 100mm - 200mm air gap between the secondary glazing and the existing windows (glass to glass) will provide an optimum gap for sound and heat performance. The air gap provides an additional barrier, preventing heat and sound from passing through.

How do you stop condensation between secondary glazing?

The best way to reduce condensation is to open up your home and increase the amount of ventilation, as the trickle vents in our secondary glazing products allow. Conversely, double and triple glazed windows work against this by locking so much heat in your home that your living space can't ventilate.

How good is secondary glazing at reducing noise?

Secondary glazing can drastically reduce noise levels for property's that have single, double or triple glazing. Noise reducing secondary glazing can block external noise pollution by as much as 80% which is the equivalent to 54dB.

Do you still get condensation with secondary glazing?

Location: Within the cavity created by secondary glazing

Condensation can occur occasionally on the cavity surface of the inner glass when the sun is shining on the window. This means that something in the air space itself, such as an unsealed wooden separator or desiccant, contains moisture.

How thick is secondary glazing?

How thick is secondary glazing ? 3mm or 4mm clear acrylic or polycarbonate is best for secondary glazing. Windows larger than 800mm will benefit from being glazed with 4mm thickness as they will be more rigid.

Cheapest way of Double Glazing your windows

Is 6mm glass better than 4mm?

6mm float glass

Both 4.4 & 6.4mm safety laminate are considerably better for security and safety with the price point being very similar as well. In time gone by it was an upgrade from 4mm in terms of security and noise reduction.

Can you fit secondary glazing yourself?

In many cases you can fit the Secondary Glazing straight away with virtually no preparation, however, you may wish to clean the windows and sand any bumps in the primary window frame and sill, to give a smooth fixing surface.

Does secondary glazing need to be airtight?

2) Ensure the secondary glazing seals tightly all round its surface with the window. Standard draught-proof strip works well since it hugs all the small surface contours. If the seal's good, the silica gel should keep condensation down – but you'll need to swap the packets and heat-dry the originals every so often.

Why are my double glazed windows wet in the morning?

The reason it happens is because the external air is warmer than the temperature of the glazed pane's surface – and the dew point of the air is higher. It is more likely to occur at night or early in the morning when temperatures are low, particularly if there is a clear sky and almost no wind.

Why are windows wet inside in the morning?

Condensation on windows occurs because water vapour in the air deposits itself on surfaces that are at lower temperatures. When moist air comes into contact with the cold impermeable surface of your windows, it releases some of this moisture onto the glass as water droplets. This is condensation.

Does thicker glass reduce noise?

The thicker the glass, the better its noise reduction properties. However, glass has a natural coincidence frequency (the pitch at which it will amplify the sound) which is why double glazing is a better option, with two differing thicknesses of glass.

How much of a difference does secondary glazing make?

That sounds impressive, but magnet-strip secondary glazing can go further and reduce heat loss by up to a massive 63%! Not only is secondary glazing a more effective form of insulation than traditional window glazing, but it is more cost-effective too.

Is acoustic glass better than double glazing?

As we have seen, acoustic glass is better at reducing noise levels than double- and single-glazed windows, but – depending on the noise levels – it might not be as effective as triple glazing. In addition, triple glazing offers better thermal qualities and will help lower your home's heating bills.

Do trickle vents stop condensation?

Do trickle vents prevent condensation? Trickle vents are fitted to the tops of window frames and can help create ventilation and reduce condensation. The small opening allows small amounts of ventilation in to help reduce the threat of condensation by allowing this humid air to escape.

Why does double glazing mist up on the inside?

It is only when the seal on the double glazed glass breaks down, or fails as is known in the industry, that condensation will get into the inside of the glass unit, resulting in misted double glazing.

How do I stop condensation on my windows overnight UK?

Simply raising the temperature in your rooms while leaving windows slightly ajar will allow heat to circulate. Which may tackle your condensation problem, while also ensuring you stay warm as you try to sleep.

Should double glazed windows feel cold on the inside?

If the inside pane of your double glazing feels cold it is actually a very good sign that your windows are working correctly to keep your home warm. The reason the glass is cold to touch is because glass is actually an insulator and will not allow heat to transfer through it easily.

Why is my double glazing steamed up on the outside?

External window condensation

Condensation on the outside of your windows is normal, and is actually an indicator that your double glazing is highly energy efficient, keeping the warm air in your home and preventing the temperature dropping to the same conditions that are causing condensation to occur outside.

How long do double glazed windows last?

The general consensus on double glazing lifespan is estimated to be anything between 20 and 35 years depending on the supplier and the fitter. Others even suggest up to and above 40 years in some cases.

Does secondary glazing improve EPC rating?

Retrofitted secondary glazing can be a fast and effective way to improve an EPC rating making it more attractive to a tenant.

How do you stop condensation on single glazed windows?

Single glazed windows will inevitably cause condensation over the colder months as the glass cannot warm up. Replacing single glazing with double or triple glazing will give the window an internal layer of glass, insulated from the temperatures outside, which can warm up with your room and reduce condensation.

Does secondary glazing look good?

Pros. This is another cheap and seemingly convenient solution. To its credit, this system does offer some thermal enhancement and condensation control at a very low cost. As expected, however, secondary glazing film looks terrible on windows.

Does DIY secondary glazing work?

With the right specification of glass thickness and distance from the existing window, secondary glazing can reduce sound levels by more than 50 decibels – five times the effect of double glazing – which effectively halves the noise getting into your home.

Can you use Perspex for secondary glazing?

Clear Perspex® acrylic sheets are incredibly durable, so are often used as a secondary glazing alternative to glass, as it is resistant to impact and is shatterproof, making it a safer option.