Parents' Double Glazing
Discussion
Mum and Dad had some UPVC double glazing installed last year, made by a local company (in Aldershot, Hampshire) and this replaced the original single glazed windows (wooden frames) and secondary glazing in aluminium frames.
Dad is convinced that the house is both colder and noisier NOW than it was with the previous setup, to the extent that he wants to get secondary glazing installed inside the double glazing......
A couple of general questions...
a) is there a regulation that says how big the gap between the panes should be, and if so what is that gap?,
b) is the gap a vacuum, or air, or other gas?
c) it it likely the UPVC conducts cold in/heat out more than the original wood?
Appreciate any answers/info,
Cheers people,
Steve
Dad is convinced that the house is both colder and noisier NOW than it was with the previous setup, to the extent that he wants to get secondary glazing installed inside the double glazing......
A couple of general questions...
a) is there a regulation that says how big the gap between the panes should be, and if so what is that gap?,
b) is the gap a vacuum, or air, or other gas?
c) it it likely the UPVC conducts cold in/heat out more than the original wood?
Appreciate any answers/info,
Cheers people,
Steve
I can well imagine they're noisier - IIRC the optimal gap for noise suppression is several inches rather than a few mm (typically 16) of uPVC sealed units.
Our house has uPVC windows put in about 20years ago and the mechanical fit of the openers really isn't very good so noise comes through there.
Our house has uPVC windows put in about 20years ago and the mechanical fit of the openers really isn't very good so noise comes through there.
Standard double glazing does not give much benefit in sound proofing, although the wider apart the panes of glass are, the greater the benefit for sound proofing is achieved.
Standard double glazing does not give much benefit in sound proofing, although
the wider apart the panes of glass are, the greater the benefit for sound proofing is achieved.
Placing a coin/object against the glass of the double glazed unit, and measuring the distance of the reflections,will determine the distance between each pane of the double glazed unit.
Standard double glazing does not give much benefit in sound proofing, although
the wider apart the panes of glass are, the greater the benefit for sound proofing is achieved.
Placing a coin/object against the glass of the double glazed unit, and measuring the distance of the reflections,will determine the distance between each pane of the double glazed unit.
bleesh said:
Mum and Dad had some UPVC double glazing installed last year, made by a local company (in Aldershot, Hampshire) and this replaced the original single glazed windows (wooden frames) and secondary glazing in aluminium frames.
Dad is convinced that the house is both colder and noisier NOW than it was with the previous setup, to the extent that he wants to get secondary glazing installed inside the double glazing......
A couple of general questions...
a) is there a regulation that says how big the gap between the panes should be, and if so what is that gap?,
b) is the gap a vacuum, or air, or other gas?
c) it it likely the UPVC conducts cold in/heat out more than the original wood?
Appreciate any answers/info,
Cheers people,
Steve
16mm gap is the minimum gap as regulations stand today coupled with k glass in pvc windows.Dad is convinced that the house is both colder and noisier NOW than it was with the previous setup, to the extent that he wants to get secondary glazing installed inside the double glazing......
A couple of general questions...
a) is there a regulation that says how big the gap between the panes should be, and if so what is that gap?,
b) is the gap a vacuum, or air, or other gas?
c) it it likely the UPVC conducts cold in/heat out more than the original wood?
Appreciate any answers/info,
Cheers people,
Steve
The gap is air but could be filled with argon but i doubt it tell tell sign is angled plug in a corner of the inside of the unit.
Secondary glazing is very good for noise insulation the bigger gap between the window and the secondary is better.
Your dad is most probably correct in his assumption not so sure about heat loss though.
The better upvc windows have barriers in the section for heat loss yours may well be the cheaper section.
V8 Animal
I have just installed some secondary double glazing panels on some old windows that were too nice to pull out and replace. I can categorically tell you the noise and heat insulation is better than for the conventional double glazed units that we have in the other parts of the house. I think it is primarily down to he large air gap and because the secondary glazing is 4mm thick fixed panels, so less seals for the air to leak through.
pp
pp
16 mm gap and it should be filled with argon .
I would be checking the fit and making sure there is a perimeter mastic seal both internal and externally
If there has been a bad measure of the units , there could be a lot of foam and mastic doing a job it wasnt designed for .
I would call the installer back for a look.
Have they got the Fensa certificates ?
If you dont get any satisafaction with the installer , have a word with Building control , FENSA companies self certify their work , and a very high percentage of those checked out do not meet the set standard .
I would be checking the fit and making sure there is a perimeter mastic seal both internal and externally
If there has been a bad measure of the units , there could be a lot of foam and mastic doing a job it wasnt designed for .
I would call the installer back for a look.
Have they got the Fensa certificates ?
If you dont get any satisafaction with the installer , have a word with Building control , FENSA companies self certify their work , and a very high percentage of those checked out do not meet the set standard .
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