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Double-glazing - how helpful for heat retention?
Our townhouse in suburban London is a 1960s build with a flat roof, large windows and internal garage, electric underfloor heating in concrete floors - in other words, insulation not exactly great. Apparently the cavity walls have been done though...... heh heh.
We're about 60% double-glazed but all of them are an older-type aluminium. My wife is talking about spending circa 5K on replacing all the windows in the house with A-rated PVC (it's a 3 storey so quite a lot to replace). I'm not convinced it's worth it. It's a quiet, safe cul-de-sac so the only reason to do so would be for heat retention.
Does it really make much of a difference to heat retention and how much impact would it have on EPC ratings?
Somehow I have trouble believing a word any of the double glazing salesmen say.......
We're about 60% double-glazed but all of them are an older-type aluminium. My wife is talking about spending circa 5K on replacing all the windows in the house with A-rated PVC (it's a 3 storey so quite a lot to replace). I'm not convinced it's worth it. It's a quiet, safe cul-de-sac so the only reason to do so would be for heat retention.
Does it really make much of a difference to heat retention and how much impact would it have on EPC ratings?
Somehow I have trouble believing a word any of the double glazing salesmen say.......
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Old first generation aluminium units will have a poor u value by modern standards. First of all, the aluminium frame itself will usually act as a cold bridge. Do you ever get condensation forming on the aluminium frames?
The double glazed units themselvs will not be comparable with modern units with low e coatings and argon gas and warm spacer bars etc.
So, if single glazed units have a u value of around 5-6 and standard first generation double glazing has a u value of around 3. I would expect the aluminium frames to be in the 3-5 range.
Modern A rated windows have a U value of around 1.5.
Sounds good yes? However, how does this translate into savings?
Compared to single glazed windows, the energy savings trust estimate a £175 year saving on a detached house with the latest A rated double glazed windows (they estimate a much lower saving with a mid-terraced town house). If your installation costs around £5000....well it will take you nearly 30+ years to recoup the cost in savings! As you have double glazing (albeit old) you can expect that saving to be slightly less.
So you have to ask youself, what is the reason you want to replace them?
1) Are the windows draughty? Is it uncomfortable to live in? If it is really that bad you may want to consider replacment.
2) Is it just for the look of new windows? Cosmetic Reasons? For many people this is the overiding factor.
4)Or do you want to do your bit and save energy (smaller carbon footprint), no matter the outlay? That is great, but their are cheaper alternatives.
5)If it is because the A rating and sales patter makes it sounds like you could save a fortune, and it just makes you feel warmer thinking about it...always do your own research and try to look at the facts.
At the end of the day, it is your choice and your money.
There is a cheaper alternative to consider!
The much cheaper solution is to look at ways to keep the heat in, using your existing windows, for a lot less. Well fitted shutters and blinds and curtains.
I have looked into a lot of these options (as you may have guessed), as my house has single glazed leaded lights! All my neighbours have double glazing. Interestingly, after 10 -15 years of having them, everyone is gradually ripping them out and replacing them.....with new double glazing!
I am sticking with my 85 year old windows and looking at either secondary glazing or thermal curtains and thermal blinds...or both!
There is no right or wrong answer. It is what ever makes you happy in the place you live in my opinion. It is your money at the end of the day.0 -
I used to live in a 3 story townhouse with a lot of glazing, if yours is similar to mine I think its going to make a big difference for you, especially if you don't have any kind of double glazing on some windows.
The only thing you did say, is that you have a flat roof. I wonder how well insulated that is and if doing that first might be best?0 -
Did you have a third point CashStrapped?CashStrapped wrote: »1) Are the windows draughty? Is it uncomfortable to live in? If it is really that bad you may want to consider replacment.
2) Is it just for the look of new windows? Cosmetic Reasons? For many people this is the overiding factor.
4)Or do you want to do your bit and save energy (smaller carbon footprint), no matter the outlay? That is great, but their are cheaper alternatives.
5)If it is because the A rating and sales patter makes it sounds like you could save a fortune, and it just makes you feel warmer thinking about it...always do your own research and try to look at the facts.
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Having decent windows will also add to the value of your home.Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.0
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Having decent windows will also add to the value of your home.
Not totally convinced if having A rated d/g instead of C is benificial if you intend to do up your house then sell and move on.
A lot of people will just see NEW windows, if you intend to stay in the property I would agree, we have A rated and are pleasantly surprised with the difference , we now have condensation on the outside of the glass when very cold non inside.There are more questions than answers :shhh: :silenced:WARNING ! May go silent for unfriendly repliesPlease excuse me Spell it MOST times
:A UK Resident :A0 -
I meant vs aluminium or non-DGNot totally convinced if having A rated d/g instead of C is benificial if you intend to do up your house then sell and move on.
A lot of people will just see NEW windows, if you intend to stay in the property I would agree, we have A rated and are pleasantly surprised with the difference , we now have condensation on the outside of the glass when very cold non inside.Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.0 -
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This comes up time and again all over the web.
Even over single glazed windows the consensus of informed opinion(i.e. excluding double glazing salesmen) is that double glazing is not justified on economic grounds. So with your current situation it would be a non-starter.
On the other hand it is inevitable that in time you DG windows will 'blow' and it might be time to reconsider.0 -
Just making sure there wasn't a gold nugget of information I was missing out on.CashStrapped wrote: »Well it is nice to see someone actually read that far into the post to spot my er...intentional ...mistake....you passed!;):D
It's going to be a good day today, I can tell!CashStrapped wrote: »You got thanked for it too! 0 -
Not easily quantifiable, but modern units will also create fewer convection currents and radiate out less heat, thus improving comfort and allowing you to heat the room less. This is because a room at the same temperature feels warmer if there is no air movement.0
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