Window Glazing

Wndows can be supplied single or doubled glazed.

Single glazing is generally only a requirement when replacing windows in listed properties or conservation areas as the majority of locally listed buildings have a strict ‘no double glazing’ policy.  Double glazing offers much higher levels of heat retention and noise reduction and is a requirement in all new buildings and generally used when replacing older windows in non-listed properties.

The standard type of double glazing used is general 4/16/4 Low E (this means 4mm of glazing, 16mm space and a further 4mm of glazing with low emissivity coating).  This provides a U value (or heat loss value) as low as 1.2w/m2k well within current building regulations, this is achieved because we have the space between panes filled with Argon gas.

Slim double glazed units as featured recently on the various home restoration programmes can now be used in our windows, and these offer the benefits of double glazed units whilst giving a much narrower profile to the window sections.  these are generally more expensive than standard double glazed units and have the benefits of being occasionally accepted by the listed building and conservation officers.

All glazing has to be toughened in any window which is below 800mm above floor level and is adjacent to a door,
all doors required safety glazing whether internal or external, we will automatically advise our customers of any circumstances where toughened glass is a requirement.

GLAZING BARS – Duplex or Traditional

In order to achieve traditional looking narrow bars in double glazed windows, we use the duplex system.
The narrow timber glazing bars (duplex bars) are fitted to outer faces of the glass both on the back and front. The double glazed units have false spacer bars fitted in between the glass panes to give the appearance of individual units, and the narrow timber glazing bars are fitted with an adhesive tape to the glazing.

We have found duplex bars a very effective and successful way of matching original features but meeting the U values required to comply with today’s building regulations.

If small panes are required in any single glazed window, these will need to be created using traditional glazing bars.  This is because it is not possible to adhere the duplux bars without the special spacers built into the double glazed units.