Should I reconsider secondary glazing?


and value. To keep them at their best you will want to protect, preserve and sometimes improve them. You might be pleased then, indeed surprised, to learn that secondary glazing is a good option, and it need not be an ugly addition to your cherished home. In this article we focus on magnetic secondary glazing which, being frameless and less than 9mm thick, can be genuinely inconspicuous, even on stone mullioned windows.


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For your windows in a listed building secondary glazing is frequently the best solution for improving heat retention and sound proofing.


Curiously, secondary glazing behaves like a little greenhouse on your windows, drying out any moisture during the day, and retaining that warmth for longer after dark. This aspect alone is invaluable, reducing your heating costs and the likelihood of rot and maintenance over the coming years. It also lowers your carbon footprint.


An acrylic panel of magnetic secondary glazing is warm-to-the-touch compared to a glass and aluminium framed secondary glazing unit. It is very effective at keeping windows free


86 Listed Heritage Magazine January/February 2020


from condensation and black mould, and consequently the paint will last many more years before requiring redecoration.


Without secondary glazing, if you are unable to deal with condensation it will soon do damage to the room-side of wooden frames, to any stained glass work and to stone window surrounds. Mould and condensation stains can be unsightly and expensive to repair, or bring forward the day you need to buy replacement windows. Modern day living has its downsides: damp air from showers, laundry


he windows in a period home often play a significant part in its enjoyment, desirability


drying indoors, steam ironing and even home gyms all potentially add to the condensation problem.


Extraglaze is a product LPOC reviewed in issue 126 of Listed Heritage. It reported that this magnetic secondary glazing was tested scientifically at the Building Research Establishment, concluding that double glazed units (which were also tested) were considerably less effective at sound proofing. This somewhat verified the written testimony of their customer from two years before who had Extraglaze applied over the top of brand new, rather expensive, triple glazed (PVC) windows, which had tragically proved not at all successful. The key here is introducing as much gap as possible between the primary and secondary glazing. Beyond 125mm the benefit per extra centimetre tails off.


If your home suffers from hard-to-abate noise factors then the science strongly suggests secondary glazing. However, be warned, if you are under a flight path or if the house is lightly constructed (with thin walls) or if your home does not have carpets and soft furnishings, noise may still be a problem.


In conclusion investing in secondary glazing can improve the comfort level of your home and bring long term benefits.


For first-hand reviews and to learn more about magnetic secondary glazing you can visit www.extraglaze.co.uk


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