If you are looking for ways to improve your windows, you may have come across DIY secondary glazing kits. Secondary glazing is a great way to improve the energy efficiency of homes that come with single-glazed windows.
Secondary glazing involves leaving existing windows in place and adding another pane of Perspex or glass inside to form something that resembles double glazing.
Naturally, it’s a very attractive idea to a lot of people who are looking to save money on double glazing, but how effective is it, and as the popularity of DIY secondary glazing kits has surged, is it worth delving into DIY secondary glazing yourself?
What Is DIY Secondary Glazing?
Secondary glazing comes in a wide range of forms, including acrylic sheets with magnet strips, or pre-made windows that are screwed into place.
On the surface, DIY secondary glazing can be a very cost-effective approach to secondary glazing and can offer some benefits, especially if you are quite a handy person looking to save money.
DIY secondary glazing kits provide a great temporary solution, especially during the winter when you need to keep draughts out, are cheaper to install than double glazing, and usually come with straightforward installation, but there are downsides to DIY secondary glazing.
The Cons of DIY Secondary Glazing
People who are looking to install DIY secondary glazing may think that they are benefiting from a reduction in costs, but there are a few things that we have to consider.
The Hidden Costs
Anybody that wants to fix windows by themselves to save money may find themselves on the receiving end of a few surplus trips to the hardware shop.
If you want to fit secondary glazing, you’ve got to have the right tools, and while many homes will have standard tools like a screwdriver, a hammer, spirit level, and a tape measure, you may need some extra tools like adhesive, fixing screws, packing materials, a saw, and a cartridge gun.
It is not just the initial cost of the DIY secondary glazing kits, but the supplementary things that an amateur DIYer may not have considered.
The Risk
While is not the same level of risk as installing extra glazing from the outside, it’s important to remember that there will always be a risk when you undertake some form of DIY and do not opt for a professional.
It’s important for anybody who is undergoing this to have a complete understanding of the risks of improper installation of DIY secondary glazing.
Because secondary glazing can be fitted in different ways from lift-out secondary glazing to horizontal sliding secondary glazing, it is vital for anybody who is undertaking this themselves to understand the right method in which it will fix effectively, which is why it’s something that is best left to a professional.
When somebody attempts DIY secondary glazing as a way to do it themselves and save money, there is always the potential for not doing the job so well.
Somebody choosing DIY secondary glazing can find the material does not fix the window or basic human error causes major oversights on the instructions (either by misreading them, or not reading them at all).
The Impact on Your Home
If secondary glazing is not installed properly, you may see an impact on your heating bills because it is not providing that thermal barrier.
As secondary glazing can improve acoustic performance and reduce condensation, the fact is that any major mistakes involved in installing it can result in poor acoustic performance and increase condensation on the inner and outer layers of the windows.
Additionally, another risk of DIY secondary glazing is that when you are purchasing a DIY secondary glazing kit, you are running the risk of causing damage to your windows that would not be covered by a warranty.
A DIY kit is, in effect, a temporary solution and does not come with an extended warranty.
Why You Should Leave Secondary Glazing to a Professional
When it comes to DIY secondary glazing, it’s always a good idea to leave it to the professionals.
Companies such as City Sound Glazing provide a specific service that cannot be matched by DIY secondary glazing. Secondary glazing, when done by a professional, is tailored and designed according to the client’s window needs.
Secondary glazing is a way to keep a home more eco-friendly and cost-efficient, but opting to do it yourself means you are potentially doubling the workload.
We offer a 12-year guarantee on all the materials and workmanship with experience of more than 50 years. Measuring this in comparison to a DIY secondary glazing kit means that you will minimise stress and hassle by opting for professionals.