Secondary Glazing for Sash windows with Shutters

Secondary glazing fitted to sash windows with shutters already installed over then has become an ever-growing enquiry over the years. 

Shutters have become a very fashionable solution for windows but can limit further work done to the window area after they are installed.  Adding secondary glazing assists with noise pollution, heat loss and thermal efficiency, and ultimately increases your property value in the long run, so you can see how keeping the shutters and adding secondary glazing is a question we are asked very often.

Secondary glazing can be fitted to almost all windows styles (sash windows, casement windows, crittal windows etc.). If you already have shutters fitted with enough space (gap) between the external window and shutters when closed, you can very likely add secondary glazing. If, however, your shutters are fitted in close to the original windows this makes things a little trickier and will need an experienced company to look into this for you.

Types of shutters

Shutters are panels that are fixed either outside or inside a window, these can be closed for privacy or as extra security for any home. Shutters have many varieties, such as:

Louvered / Plantation Shutters:

  • They have a slat to them which allows light to enter the building.

Solid shutters:

  • Some older properties have original integrated, solid shutters that fold back into the windows surrounding. Secondary glazing can be fitted to these windows.  In some cases, the shutters need to be pinned back and cannot be used after the glazing is installed.
  • If the solid shutters are a more modern, retrofit addition then there is a chance secondary glazing can be added and the shutters still operational after.

So why should you get secondary glazing when you already have window shutters?

Window shutters are of course a solution to traditional window dressings (blinds and curtains).

The installation of secondary glazing to original windows offers the added benefit of reducing noise pollution, keeping the heat in, and security.

What will the secondary glazing look like once fitted over my original windows?

It is important that utmost care should be put into the installation of secondary glazing hence the importance of doing research on companies before choosing one to do your installation. 

What are Single, Double and Triple Glazing

Single glazing:

  • The is a window that only has a single pane of glass glazing within its frame.

Double glazing:

  • These are two completely separate layers of glass, normally separated by a spacer which is only a few millimetres. This glass unit is then glazed within the same window frame.

Triple glazing

  • These are three completely separate layers of glass, normally separated by a spacer which is only a few millimetres. This glass unit is then glazed within the same window frame.

Cost for home, buildings and historic integrity: 

The cost of secondary glazing is very affordable in relation to other types of glazing. Prices may vary depending on the size of windows, window type, and other installation costs, hence the importance of asking for a quote first. When asking for costs it is best to get help from a specialist company as this will result in more efficiency in obtaining the most accurate cost. 

Historic integrity won’t get destroyed by installing secondary glazing.  In listed buildings, it is almost always the case that the original windows cannot be altered or changed.  This is why secondary glazing is such a popular solution as not only will it comply with the rules of protected buildings, it also offers superior noise reduction to any other window treatment and is very effective for thermal insulation also.

Although secondary glazing has been on the market for many years it is now seen as more of a necessity due to the increased noise pollution and rising energy prices.