FAQ – Secondary Glazing in North London

Question 1

What is secondary glazing?

Accepted Answer

Secondary glazing is the process of adding an insulating layer of glass or plastic inside existing windows to improve both thermal and sound insulation. Unlike double glazing, where two panes are built into a single unit, secondary glazing involves a separate pane that can be removed, creating a flexible and effective solution for enhancing window performance. This is especially beneficial in period properties where retaining the original window structure is preferred. Secondary glazing offers key features like energy efficiency and noise reduction, providing a cost-effective upgrade to traditional single glazing.

Question 2

Is CosyGlazing the same as secondary glazing?

Accepted Answer

CosyGlazing is Mitchell & Dickinson's award-winning secondary glazing product, designed specifically for period and listed buildings. This unique insulating layer, made from plexiglass, provides warmth, comfort and an unobtrusive look. CosyGlazing is a fully integrated solution allowing windows to open as usual without needing extra frames. It’s fitted with magnetic tape for easy installation and removal, meeting conservation standards while standing out from standard secondary glazing products.

Question 3

What are the key features of secondary glazing?

Accepted Answer

Secondary glazing offers multiple key features that enhance window performance, including significant sound insulation, improved energy efficiency, and condensation reduction. By creating an extra insulating layer, secondary glazing helps retain heat, lowering heating bills and making it a cost-effective solution for increasing comfort in older buildings. Customisable options for thickness and ventilation further make secondary glazing adaptable to unique window needs, such as vertical sliding for sash windows.

Question 4

How is secondary glazing measured and installed?

Accepted Answer

To ensure a perfect fit, it’s essential to measure the window frame accurately before ordering a secondary glazing product. Our experts follow a step-by-step guide to take measurements for custom fit, which is key for optimal insulation and soundproofing. With Mitchell & Dickinson's secondary glazing products, easy installation is achieved using tape or magnetic strips, ensuring a secure fit without needing permanent alterations to the original window.

Question 5

Is secondary glazing a good idea?

Accepted Answer

Secondary glazing allows you to keep your original single-glazed windows whilst improving their thermal efficiency. This means your heat loss through your windows can be reduced dramatically, which in turn will help to keep you warmer and reduce your energy bills.

At Mitchell & Dickinson, we have over 15 years’ experience helping owners of period and listed properties. We know that installing secondary glazing and insulation is the best way to keep your home warm, reduce energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.

Question 6

Can you fit secondary glazing yourself?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are DIY secondary glazing kits which you can find online, although we cannot vouch for their overall efficiency. If you do not need to ever open your windows then a DIY solution may be adequate, although of course it would not come with a guarantee and lifespans differ from product to product.

Period properties tend to have unusually shaped windows that are often not level and, as a result, a DIY solution can be tricky to install. Our CosyGlazing system is fully integrated with your windows. Your ironmongery and catches are modified to work with the CosyGlazing system to provide maximum efficiency. There are similar products on the market but CosyGlazing is completely unique; your windows will be completely reengineered and fully draught proofed by our specialist craftsmen so they can open and close perfectly, and as originally designed.

With our CosyGlazing secondary glazing in place, you will feel the difference in warmth and comfort of your home immediately. Employing specialists to fit your secondary glazing ensures a professional installation, which is guaranteed, and saves you the stress of doing it yourself.

Question 7

Do you need planning permission for secondary glazing?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, secondary glazing is considered a "permitted development" and doesn't require planning permission. However, exceptions may apply, especially in conservation areas or for listed buildings. We recommend checking with your local planning authority for specific guidance.

Question 8

Is CosyGlazing visible from the outside of a property once installed?

Accepted Answer

No, the design of the system is such that is should be virtually invisible from the outside and the inside.

Question 9

How do you get around the existing catch/stay being in the way of installing secondary glazing directly onto casement windows? And will the windows still be able to open?

Accepted Answer

We install a specially modified catch/stay that can accommodate the CosyGlazing units on the window. You will still be able to open and close the windows as usual with our award-winning system.

Question 10

Will my sliding sash still open with the addition of secondary glazing?

Accepted Answer

When we re-engineer your sliding sash we will add weights to accommodate the weight of the CosyGlazing unit that is attached to the frame of your window using magnetic tapes. Some modifications are also made to the meeting rails to enable the casements to pass each other with the CosyGlazing unit fitted to the frame. Some windows can be more challenging than others, but bespoke and hand-crafted solutions are what we do to the highest standards.

Question 11

Will window hardware be replaced/can the original hardware be retained?

Accepted Answer

Most period homes have specific hardware such as monkey tail or pig tail catches and stays, and particular locks etc. We usually replace your original hardware with a like-for-like but modified alternative to meet the crafted CosyGlazing panel. But where we are required to, we can usually modify the original hardware where it is essential to the listing of the property. There are of course some situations where this is not possible and your surveyor can advise you accordingly.

Question 12

How does secondary glazing affect condensation?

Accepted Answer

There are two sources of condensation. The first is caused by warm, moist air from inside the room touching the cold glass and condensing. This is reduced by CosyGlazing but we cannot guarantee it will eradicate it completely. The second is caused by external sources of moisture from the building fabric such as from broken putty allowing rain to leak in under each pane of glass and settle on the lower glazing bars, particularly after rainfall. Secondary glazing traps this water in the void, which can cause condensation. Therefore when installing CosyGlazing, it is advisable to keep putty and paintwork in good condition. This also increases the life of the window.

Question 13

How much does it cost for secondary glazing?

Accepted Answer

The price of secondary glazing varies based on the thickness of glass or plastic, product type, and installation complexity. Basic DIY options can be lower-cost, but they may lack the guarantee and durability of professional options. Mitchell & Dickinson offers custom products with expert installation and long-term benefits. For a personalised quote, to book a survey and place an order, please contact us. You can also read reviews of our products on Trustpilot.

Question 14

How long does it take to fit secondary glazing?

Accepted Answer

The installation time depends on the project's scope and complexity. Generally, secondary glazing installation is a quicker process than installing new windows. Our team of expert craftsmen at Mitchell & Dickinson strive to minimise disruption and complete installations efficiently.

Question 15

What is the most effective secondary glazing?

Accepted Answer

The effectiveness of secondary glazing depends on various factors, including your original frame materials and installation quality. Mitchell & Dickinson offers CosyGlazing, a high-quality bespoke secondary glazing solution tailored to meet specific needs and providing optimal performance. It is made to fit your specific windows using a material called plexiglass, which has a guarantee of 30 years.

Question 16

Is secondary glazing better than double glazing?

Accepted Answer

Both secondary glazing and double glazing offer unique benefits. Secondary glazing is often preferred for heritage properties, where preserving the original window aesthetics is crucial. Mitchell & Dickinson can guide you in choosing the most suitable option for your property based on your preferences and requirements.

Question 17

How much heat is saved by secondary glazing?

Accepted Answer

Secondary glazing enhances thermal insulation, reducing heat loss by up to 70% and improving energy efficiency The amount of heat saved depends on factors like the quality of installation and the type of material used. Mitchell & Dickinson's CosyGlazing secondary glazing solution is designed to optimize energy efficiency and has a U value of 1.7.

Question 18

Can secondary glazing improve noise reduction?

Accepted Answer

Yes, secondary glazing can significantly improve noise reduction in a home. By adding a second pane of glass to existing windows, secondary glazing creates an extra barrier that can effectively block external noise. This setup helps reduce sound transmission by adding both physical mass and an air gap between the original and secondary glass, which absorbs sound vibrations more effectively than a single pane alone.

The effectiveness of secondary glazing for noise reduction depends on factors like the width of the air gap, the thickness of the glass, and the quality of seals. A gap of around 100–150 mm between panes is optimal for soundproofing, as it can dampen a wider range of sound frequencies. Additionally, laminated or thicker glass on the secondary pane can further enhance sound insulation. This solution is particularly beneficial for older or historic properties where replacing original windows isn't an option.

Secondary glazing can typically reduce noise levels by around 50%, which can make a noticeable difference in urban or high-traffic areas. This makes it a popular choice for homeowners seeking to improve comfort without compromising the aesthetics or integrity of period features.

Question 19

How good is magnetic secondary glazing?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic secondary glazing is a convenient and effective option for owners of period and listed properties or where the homeowner wishes to retain the original windows. Its performance depends on the quality of materials and installation. Mitchell & Dickinson offers its high-quality bespoke magnetic secondary glazing solution called CosyGlazing, designed to provide optimal thermal and , where required can also provide optimal acoustic benefits.

Question 20

What is plexiglass and how does it work in secondary glazing?

Accepted Answer

Perspex is a brand name for a type of high-end cast acrylic often referred to as plexiglass (also known as polymethyl methacrylate PMMA). Plexiglass is a transparent, lightweight, and shatter-resistant material that serves as a versatile alternative to glass. Originally commercialised in the 1930s, plexiglass has become popular in applications ranging from household items to industrial uses, thanks to its combination of strength, clarity and ease of fabrication.

Acrylic sheets, like plexiglass, are lightweight, durable, and provide a clear view similar to glass, making them popular in secondary glazing for several reasons:

Lightweight and flexible: Acrylic is much lighter than glass, making it easier to handle and install. This makes DIY secondary glazing more accessible since acrylic can be more easily cut and adjusted to fit specific window dimensions.

Good insulation properties: Acrylic is a good insulator, reducing heat loss and helping with sound insulation, though not as effectively as thicker or specialised glass. It still improves a room’s energy efficiency by creating an insulating barrier against drafts and external noise.

Shatter-resistant: Unlike glass, acrylic doesn’t shatter upon impact, which can make it a safer choice for homes, particularly those with children or pets.

Cost-effective: Acrylic sheets are generally cheaper than glass, which can make secondary glazing with acrylic a more economical option, especially for large or irregularly shaped windows.

In summary, acrylic can be an excellent choice for secondary glazing, especially for easy installation and cost-effectiveness.

Question 21

What types of windows can you fit secondary glazing to?

Accepted Answer

CosyGlazing is perfect for sash and casement windows in period homes and listed properties, but can also be fitted to every type of window including metal and stone mullions as well as doors with glazed areas, such as French doors.

Question 22

Can I open my windows as usual?

Accepted Answer

Yes with the CosyGlazing integrated secondary glazing solution you will be able to open and close your windows just as you always have done. However, if you have metal windows we may need to design a bespoke solution to provide for window opening.

Question 23

Can secondary glazing be removed and cleaned?

Accepted Answer

Yes, your CosyGlazing secondary glazing can be removed using suction lifts which are provided by Mitchell & Dickinson for all installations. You can then clean your original windows and the CosyGlazing units before popping them back on.

Question 24

My windows are painted, will CosyGlazing match them?

Accepted Answer

Yes, CosyGlazing can be matched exactly to your current window colour. We can use your original paint colour to create a CosyGlazing unit complete with our Colour Match trim so that the secondary glazing blends in completely with your window.

Question 25

Can I still use/fit shutters to my windows?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, we can handcraft a solution to enable your shutters to work with our CosyGlazing system.

Question 26

Can you repair/restore/seal my metal/leaded casements?

Accepted Answer

Mitchell & Dickinson’s policy is always to restore rather than replace in all aspects of its work. We are often able to design a bespoke sealing solution. However, some metal or leaded windows may require the input of metal/leaded window specialists.

Question 27

How much energy and money I will save with secondary glazing?

Accepted Answer

When we complete your survey, the surveyor will request information on your current energy usage and bills. We can then calculate financial and energy savings projections, which we will send to you with your insulation quotation.

Question 28

Will CosyGlazing secondary glazing get scratched or damaged by the sun and turn opaque?

Accepted Answer

Being much stronger but softer than glass, plexiglas can get scuffed by abrasives. However, scuffs can be polished out and, in our experience of fitting over 1,000 windows, we find that in normal use CosyGlazing does not scuff. Unlike early forms of perspex, plexiglass is fully UV-proof and carries a 30-year manufacturer's guarantee against UV damage.

Question 29

How long will your secondary glazing remain effective/how long will the magnetic tape last?

Accepted Answer

Mitchell & Dickinson has been testing magnetic tape for 15 years with no weakening of magnets. The adhesive is a very high-quality adhesive tape made by TESA which has a very long life. On rare occasions, it has been known to delaminate on specific surfaces which contain high levels of oils (such as linseed oil, for example). All Mitchell & Dickinson installations come with a 5-year guarantee as standard.

Question 30

What decorating will Mitchell & Dickinson do as part of their standard work?

Accepted Answer

When we install insulation measures, we will paint any areas that will be affected during our work to make good to the existing finish. If, for example, your windows are decorated to a specific colour, we will need details of your paint finish so that we can match it.

Where your windows have not been decorated for some time you may find that the areas we make good are to a different shade of paint. Customers are advised to consider this and may wish to arrange for decorating to take place after our installation is completed to get a matching paint finish.

Mitchell & Dickinson does not provide a full painting and decorating service. However, we do so occasionally as part of a major installation, under special circumstances and subject to a separate detailed quotation for decorating.

Question 31

Can decorating be done at any time of year?

Accepted Answer

Decorating is not recommended in winter months. To protect timbers and prevent water ingress, paint needs to form a strong bond with timbers. The wood needs to be dry when the paint is applied. In addition, each coat of paint needs to cure, which takes longer in wet and cold conditions. The optimal time of year for full painting and decorating is between April and October, as these are generally the dryer and warmer months of the year.

Question 32

Should I decorate before or after a Mitchell & Dickinson installation?

Accepted Answer

Where we are doing substantial restoration work followed by CosyGlazing you may prefer to arrange for decorating to take place after our installation is fully completed.

Where we are installing draught proofing and CosyGlazing only, and restoration work is minimal, there is a slight advantage to decorating before we arrive, as it will be quicker and easier for your decorators to do their work before ours. However, in most cases, we'll need to remove staff beads on sash windows, which we will then repaint as part of our work.

Question 33

How quickly can Mitchell & Dickinson complete an installation following decoration?

Accepted Answer

Where customers wish to arrange for decoration in advance of our installation, we will need to be sure that all paint finishes are completely dry and any cure time for specialist paints has been observed as per the manufacturer’s instructions before we arrive for installation.

Please note: the instructions on the paint tin are for drying and over-coating times, however, paint takes much longer to cure fully. Therefore, we recommend an absolute minimum of one week after decorating is finished, and two weeks should you be decorating at colder times of year. Some oil-based or specialist heritage paints can take a month or more to dry completely.

Question 34

Do you supply the paint for the window restoration?

Accepted Answer

If you have any particular paint colours or newly decorated joinery, we will need to match that same paint to paint the areas we disturb when we complete your installation. With that in mind, you will need to provide us with paint details (make and colour) if you require us to supply paint. Or you will need to ensure that the correct paint is readily available for our craftsmen on arrival.

Our craftsmen can provide the paint for standard white gloss or satin finishes, but any special white shades will need to be matched exactly where a specific finish is required.

Question 35

Do you have any particular guidance for painters and decorators?

Accepted Answer

External painting and decorating:

Most good decorators already know that a professional external paint job forms a durable, protective skin against the elements and that stops all moisture from penetrating the putty and timbers. The more coats of paint that are applied the greater the strength of the paint seal to withstand intense sunlight and the expansion and contraction of the timbers across the seasons. It’s interesting to know that some joinery firms supply their windows with 15 coats of paint! If only two or three coats are applied there is a greater chance that sun will break through the seal within two to three years. It is therefore advantageous to paint every two to three years initially and build up a thick layer of paint, and after that decorating can be done every five years or so.

A poor paint seal will mean rain can penetrate the paint and enter the putty and timbers. This will gradually saturate the timbers and soak through to the inside. Saturated timbers are one of the causes of condensation on the inside of the original glazing. It can also result in long-term waterlogging of timbers, which take a long time to dry out and can result in rotten windows. It is therefore important for external painting that the paint seal goes over the timber and over the edge of the putty and bonds well onto the glass to prevent rainwater ingress between the putty and the glass in future.

It is widely recommended that, for good maintenance, wooden windows and doors are repainted once every 3 to 5 years depending on environmental conditions. Properties in marine or semi marine conditions for example will require more frequent painting than those in sheltered, built up residential inland areas with little weathering. Usually the south or south west elevation of a property will require more frequent repainting than others as the southerly elevations ‘get all the weather’ i.e. intensity of sunlight in summer, and wind and rain in winter compared with the north facing elevations.

Many professional painters and decorators will undertake epoxy resin repairs to rotten glazing bars and other joinery components before painting. Putty repairs must be undertaken, where required, before painting so that water ingress is prevented and a complete seal to the external elements is achieved.

Internal decorating:
It is important to ensure that windows are kept open until dried completely and that excess paint is removed to ensure that windows are not painted shut or become sticky/difficult to operate. When we have completed your installation, your windows will have been completely re-engineered to open and close smoothly (where they were designed to be opening windows) and it is a shame if decorating afterwards results in sticky windows or windows painted shut.

Similarly, your decorators mustn't paint the draught-proofing brushes installed in your windows (routed into the frames, or in the parting and staff beads) or the sash cords in sash windows, as this will greatly reduce their life. Once painted, the little brushes are compacted together, become brittle, and can even break off. This means they will no longer form a good seal to work effectively to prevent draughts and insulate your home. Once the sash cords are painted, they no longer run as well on the pulleys that they rely on to operate smoothly. This means our work to give you smooth and easy opening windows is undone.

Question 36

Can we paint the magnetic tapes?

Accepted Answer

It is better to avoid painting the ‘B’ tape (the grey magnetic tape adhered to your actual window frame) when decorating, but if a little paint gets onto the tape then it will not impact its magnetic polarity.

If you want to paint your grey tape white, or a colour to match your windows, you can do so provided you apply a coat of white Hammerite Smooth metal paint before any other paint to match the colour of your windows. Hammerite Smooth is the only paint that adheres to the magnetic tape and acts as an undercoat for your preferred paint type and colour.

Question 37

Is secondary glazing worth it?

Accepted Answer

Secondary glazing is a cost-effective solution that involves adding an extra layer of glazing inside existing windows to improve insulation and reduce noise. It’s generally cheaper than replacing windows with double glazing and can lead to energy savings by reducing heat loss, which lowers heating bills. Additionally, secondary glazing is highly effective for soundproofing, making it valuable for those living in noisy areas like city centers or near airports. It’s also a practical option for heritage or listed buildings, where altering the original windows isn't allowed.

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