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UPVC Double Glazing-Does It Save Money?

UPVC Double Glazing-Does It Save Money?
Posted on December 3, 2010 by editor
Posted in ECO Issues, Restoring Property Tagged , , , ,

M
any of you will know from my rants on Twitter ;-) that I am not a huge fan of UPVC double glazing replacement windows fitted to older style property. Too often, we are in the habit of ripping out lovely old windows which could easily be repaired and even made just as good thermally as double glazing. To some degree I think we have been brainwashed by double glazing companies into thinking it’s the only answer.


Will Replacement Double Glazing Save You Money?

There have been claims that double glazing can cut heat loss by half, and that it’s a big money saver on fuel bills, but is this strictly true or have the figures been hyped? At best if we were to assume that you only did your windows and no other insulation, then you should reduce your overall energy bill by between 5% and 10% in the average house. However, in order for that fuel saving to be worth the initial expense, then you could be looking at anything from 18 to 65 years to get the cost of a standard £5000 installation back on an average 3 bed house, with gas fuel taking the longest to pay you back.

UPVC Double Glazing Is Not The Only Answer

On older style property badly fitted or the wrong style of double glazing chosen can detract from the value. Additionally, UPVC in particular are very bad for the environment. Waste disposal is a difficult problem because they do not break down very easily, if at all.  Also, the manufacture of UPVC uses large amounts of energy which is not great for the environment.

So is it really worth it, and what can we do instead?

  • Replace the glass with a double glazed unit if the window style permits. A good carpenter can widen the slot the glass was in which can then be changed for the thinner double glazing options.
  • Get the window draft proofed when its renovated by using a system like Ventrolla. Most of the heat savings are about better draft proofing.
  • For winter, hang thermal backed curtains, this has the added benefit of being able to change them for lighter summer ones.
  • Don’t rip out full window, just replace the existing glass with Pilkington thin glass. It has the similar thermal properties standard double-glazing.
  • Seal up around windows with caulk to stop heat escaping.
  • Hang secondary double glazing instead and take it down in summer.

    • [/list]

    Save Yourself Money

    Finally, if you are considering replacement windows in UPVC at least make an effort to have ones which fit the style of the building ( like the picture at the top of this post.) You can save yourself substantial amounts per window if you fit them to the existing wooden sub frame ( if it’s not rotten), and, you’ll find there will be less mess and ‘making good’ to do afterward. Unless your frames are completely rotten its not necessary to replace them, they can easily be repaired. Don’t let the window company talk you into ripping out the whole lot.

    Remember, old houses need to breathe to a certain degree, and were not made to be airtight, which can contribute towards damp in older housing if air flow is restricted.

    NB: (Remember,  current building regs state they must be fitted with low emissivity glass (sometimes called ‘low-E’ or ‘K-glass’).  Look for FENSA registered installers.)

    **You may also like our Tips For Buying Double Glazing article.

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    • Graham

      Hi Roberta, It makes a refreshing change to read something about double glazing that is unbiased. I worked in a company allied to the double glazing industry for 10 years, and have always regarded it as un-necessary. Pilkington in particular “invent” new types of glass from time to time to reinvigorate the industry. “K” was followed by Self Cleaning, and of course soft-coats which allegedly give even better savings are also now available along with gas-filled cavities. It is amazing how no-one ever denies the rumour that triple glazing must be better then double glazing. It just isn’t. There is 50% more glass used for little or no gain – what about the carbon footprint of the glass manufacturing plants, the additional spacer and sealants required?

      People go to huge expense of having windows replaced but fail to seal them properly, and they have vents in the top anyway to allow air circulation in the room!

      Amazing how we get taken in!

      • http://www.mypropertymentor.co.uk/ Roberta Ward

        Hi Graham, welcome and thanks for commenting.I feel we are often pushed to believe things are required when really its just about marketing. Old windows can be made just as efficient with a little TLC. Sarah Beeny recently highlighted a great company that restores and draft proofs older style windows at a fraction of the cost of putting in new. Aluminium ones can be even worse-with the cold metal causing condensation which rots wood surrounds! Ive never understood the ‘envelope’ idea of making buildings air tight. Homes need to breathe in my opinion.

    • http://www.ventrolla.co.uk Ventrolla

      Hi Roberta – you took the words right out of our mouth! We at Ventrolla champion retaining period windows by simply renovating & draught proofing them to bring them up to modern energy standards. Its also worth knowing that when you renovate (or even replace the existing sashes with single or double glazed new ones) you don’t have to comply with the new Building Regulations, as long as the new sashes are installed into the existing window box frame. Well done for “outing” what is simply a powerful (and incorrect!) marketing message that the UPVC window industry have created! From Ventrolla.

      • http://www.mypropertymentor.co.uk/ Roberta Ward

        Hello @Ventrolla,we feel its important to promote companies who are trying to save people money in renovating old windows by showing them the alternatives.Being pushed double glazing on th basis of saving money is incorrect. Happy to oblige in getting the message out! ;-) Thanks for commenting and welcome to our blog.

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      Double Glazing will significantly reduce the costs of heating and cooling and contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gases.

    • http://www.doubleglazingsuttoncoldfield.co.uk/ Double Glazing SuttonColdfield

      Double glazed windows have a huge variety in quality, and therefore price. This is due to there having been many improvements since it was first used in the window industry. Advances in technology have resulted in positive as well as negative aspects for products. On the positive side, the construction such as the welding of the joints is highly efficient; there are solid areas that house steel reinforcement; and there are improved glass coatings.

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