Alternatives to double glazing?

dllive

I have old sash windows which look quite nice, but are single glazed. Ive just experienced some of the coldest nights ever! Ice formed all over the window interiors. Ive stubbornly fought against double glazing because I dont like UPVC windows, but cant afford to get custom built, wooden double glazed windows. Ive finally relented, and now need to find a solution to make the house warmer! If I have to get double glazing then I will, but want to know what the alternatives are first.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I heard about some clingfilm-type material that you put over the windows that stops drafts, but how effective is this? Ive had a quick look at secondary glazing, which looks like it will reduce both coldness and noise (but its mostly the coldness that Im concerned with). Is there any manufacturer/supplier to avoid? Is it best to go for a local supplier rather than a national chain? I guess what Im after is whats the best solution which is affordable (I dont want to buy the cheapest, because that will probably mean that Ill end up replacing it anyway) and means that I can keep my sash windows? I have 3 sash-sized windows and 1 smaller window.

Thankyou

amcluesent

I reckon it's proper d/g or spend the money on slankets.

wallbash

Make a choice , great looking sash windows but you will die from hyperthemia
Or boring D/G which will keep you alive and warm but infew weeks you forget even exists.

Get many quotes , lots of personal recommendations , as any MSE would naturally do.

dllive

Is secondary glazing really no good then? Is it worth waiting until the summer when not many people are looking to buy double/secondary glazing and so hopefully the prices drop?

996ducati

http://www.selectaglaze.co.uk/index.php

single_lonely

we've got sash windows and 8 need replacing!
its not cheap but we are too in a listed building and its soo cold.
maybe central heating then sort the windows out.
we got in touch with a joiner who said they can make new 'double glazed' sash windows.
unfortunately it was too expensive and are still saving up.:(

something i found on a website:
Is it possible to fit double-glazing in a traditionally-made timber sash window?

Yes. Most timber sash window specialists can make new windows that incorporate sealed, double-glazed units within traditional timber frames. However, the levels of sound and thermal insulation given by double-glazing can often be matched by draught-proofing original windows, by installing secondary glazing or by using thick curtains or internal shutters.

Frank_E

Seal draughts and good thick curtains.

poe.tuesday

the cling film stuff is better than nothing, in my last property I had huge sash windows that were really drafty, each winter I would fit the cling film stuff and it worked a treat, you put double sided sticky tape (supplied in the pack of secondary glazing kits) that you stick all around your window and then you put the cling film on, then blow it with a hair dryer to get rid of all the creases etc, the only think to think about is the removal of the tape as it can pull varnish etc off the windows when you come to remove it in the summer etc

good luck

kmmr

I went to see a house the other day that had really nice new wooden double glazed sash windows. Is this something that is commonly available - and just expensive?

I loved it, but I am sure it would be pretty expensive for my big bay window.

"something i found on a website:
Is it possible to fit double-glazing in a traditionally-made timber sash window?

Yes. Most timber sash window specialists can make new windows that incorporate sealed, double-glazed units within traditional timber frames. However, the levels of sound and thermal insulation given by double-glazing can often be matched by draught-proofing original windows, by installing secondary glazing or by using thick curtains or internal shutters."

I think I did something like this in an old flat. The builders replaced the glass in the sash windows with double glazed units, but left the old frames in place. Was not effective at all, although I never really got to check how it works relating to the cold. Certainly did nothing/little about the noise. I think perhaps the larger issue is really the gaps around sides where it mustn't seal properly. Wasn't too expensive (one big window with 4 panes), but then the builder was a little dodgy...

happyhappyshopper

Hi,

Can anyone recommend any companies in Gloucestershire to supply and fit either upvc or wooden double-glazed sash windows? We need to get two windows replaced next year.

Also, is anyone able to give us a ball park figure as to what a reasonable cost for normal-sized sash windows would be? We will be getting a range of quotes anyway, but it would be useful to have an idea of what reasonable and excessive quotes would be.

many thanks,

Al

hobbledehoy.

Any good chippy can sort out the existing windows in about an hour with a router. He will cut back the reveal so that DD units can be installed.
What you have to do, and spring/summer is the best time is renovate each window frame replacing damanged beading as well as draught proofing the frame.
Lovely job for a weekend. Then simply re-instal new DD glazing in the original frame with new exterior beading to finish.

Done the job in a listed property I owned - a bit time consuming but the labour is your own. All it will cost is a chippy, glazing, beading and some DP.