How to upgrade existing single window panes to double glazing?

siliconbits

Where to start on this one. I am fed up with my existing windows dripping water every morning and am looking forward replacing them with double glazing ones - done professionally by someone else. I tried the plastic cover/hair dryer trick. Worked well for a year but then messed up the frames.

So my questions are.
- Is it worth keeping the existing frames and just upgrading the window panes to double glazing?
- are there any tips to keep these in good shape (heard horror stories about cracked ones within the first 18 months)
- Is triple glazing even worth the hassle?
- any tips on how to select the perfect DG supplier (online only? check your local newspaper etc)

Thanks for your help

muckybutt

The rebates in the wood frames need to be deep enough to take DG units for starters, you want 20mm units minimum air gap... the bigger the better really.

If the windows cant take that then you are going to be looking at new frames with the DG units pre installed.

siliconbits

muckybutt wrote: »

The rebates in the wood frames need to be deep enough to take DG units for starters, you want 20mm units minimum air gap... the bigger the better really.

If the windows cant take that then you are going to be looking at new frames with the DG units pre installed.

Forgot to say that mine are PVC or uPVC (white ones).

Doozergirl

If you have single glazed upvc windows (v strange) then there is no value in trying to refurb them.

New double glazed uPVC for you.

leveller2911

muckybutt wrote: »

The rebates in the wood frames need to be deep enough to take DG units for starters, you want 20mm units minimum air gap... the bigger the better really.

You can get 4-4-4 Low E ,Krypton filled slimlite type units which will give a U value of 1.9........ These also have a very narrow spacer bar and are designed to be fitted in new windows and also existing timber sashes as long as the rebates are at least 19mm wide and 7mm deep. The problem with them is they are way,way too expensive. As a example a unit 285 mmm x 250mm (0.071 sq M) will be around £28-00 +vat. At the moment I pay that for a SQ M of Low E ,argon filled units.

It now transpires the OP's windows are Upvc so a bit irellavent but worth remembering for future references.

leveller2911

Doozergirl wrote: »

If you have single glazed upvc windows (v strange) then there is no value in trying to refurb them.

Many Council houses were refurbished with single glazed Upvc windows in the 80's and to this day I really don't understand why..:D