Triple glazing quote - opinions

Guru998

Hello MSE

I'm in the process of 'doing up' our family home which will include new boiler, radiators, kitchen etc.. so I was considering replacing our ageing (around 20~ years) double glazing at the same time. I wouldn't say our windows are terrible, just that we were hoping modern triple glazing would made our house more comfortable to be in compared to old double glazing (house doesn't get much sun so gets a bit chilly).

Can I please get your opinions on the triple glazing quote I have received from a local firm. Seems expensive to me to be honest:

1 – French Door – 1220 x 2100
£ 1230.00 Inc Vat

Cruciform style uPVC security door
1 – Type 4 Door – 920 x 2100
£ 960.00 Inc Vat

BAY WINDOW
2 – Type 2 Pane, 0 Vent – 475 x 1330
1 – Type 6 Pane, 3 Vent – 1810 x 1330
£ 1320.00 Inc Vat

BAY WINDOW
2 – Type 2 Pane, 1 Vent – 600 x 1194
1 – Type 4 Pane, 2 Vent – 1215 x 1194
£ 1320.00 Inc Vat

1 – Type 6 Pane, 3 Vent – 1764 x 1300
£ 776.00 Inc Vat

1 – Type 4 Pane, 2 Vent – 1194 x 1300
£ 527.00 Inc Vat

1 – Type 4 Pane, 2 Vent – 1194 x 1040
£ 527.00 Inc Vat

1 – Type 4 Pane, 2 Vent – 1194 x 1194
£ 519.00 Inc Vat

2 – Type 6 Pane, 3 Vent – 1764 x 1190
£ 770.00 Inc Vat ( EACH )

2 – Type 2 Pane, 1 Vent – 626 x 1040
£ 370.00 Inc Vat ( EACH )

£9549

Notes from the quote:

Supply and fit new generation Novalex Belvedere full white finish “A++” energy rated upvc windows with thermal insert reinforcing. All internally 36mm triple glazed with neutral plus 1.2 argon filled high performance glass units with warm edge spacers and low iron glass to the outer pane.

All opening vents to have key operated 8 point shoot bolt and claw locking and venting systems with white handles. Egress easy exit/clean hinges to upstairs side hung opening vents. 150 mm external cills.

Doors to have the excalibur locking system with 3 hook bolts, 2 anti lift bolts, 3 roller cams, 2 hinge bolts and 3 star diamond grade cylinders. French doors also have shoot bolts top and bottom of each door leaf.

False transoms to go across all full height side hung opening vents and fixed panes.

tori.k

One thing to consider is the 10% reduction in natural light over double glazing, it was enough to put us off using it on the north side of our house.

Doozergirl

The u-value of ordinary triple glazing is better than its own frames. Then you have trickle vents allowing cold air in, so they start to defeat their own objective. The u-value could even exceed that of the walls if measures haven't been taken to insulate those properly.

Even sealed triple glazing with fully insulated frames certified to passive house levels don't provide that much of a pay back vs double glazing when you look at cost saving vs the initial outlay.

You will find that the modern double glazing is much more efficient than your old stuff and will almost certainly be fine. Your glazing might have a u value of 3. New double glazing has to be no more than 1.6, so you will notice a massive difference.
Your triple glazed seem to be 1.2 and even then you need to check if that is overall combined performance of glazing and frame, not just the glazing.

The very best, super expensive triple glazing might be 0.8 has equally insulated frames and airtight seals to prevent draughts. The house should also be airtight, because the only difference you notice between double and triple glazing will be a lack of perception of cold near to windows.

For me, there is literally no point in triple glazing on an average British house.

What other energy efficiency measures have you employed on the house? Perhaps the money could be better spent elsewhere on insulation.

The prices don't look outrageous to me though in comparison, but I also understand that the frame, and the building fabric, has to be as a good as the window, so I would not spend the extra!

stator

Get quotes for decent double glazing and compare the actual performance of the windows to what you have already been quoted for "triple glazing".


It won't be worth the extra cost.


I doubt 20 year old double glazing is worth replacing anyway. It's probably fine

keith969

I've recently replaced some triple glazed windows at the back of the house with double glazed ones. No noticeable difference in heat loss or noise, if anything they are better with less condensation.

After 20 years the sealed units are often past it.

Doozergirl

stator wrote: »

I doubt 20 year old double glazing is worth replacing anyway. It's probably fine

On the contrary, the difference will be noticeable between the old double glazing and new double glazing. The new stuff is twice as efficient as the 20 year old stuff when it was brand new, which it isn't anymore either.

EssexExile

tori.k wrote: »

One thing to consider is the 10% reduction in natural light over double glazing, it was enough to put us off using it on the north side of our house.

I can't say I've noticed any difference in light levels since having triple glazing fitted.

We got quotes for double & triple glazing & the difference was about 5% so we went mad!