Retrofitted double glazing. Any recommendations?

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#1628028 12-Sep-2016 17:49

I remember something.
A mate taped i can't remember bubble wrap or just plastic sheets on ALL their joinery. Cheap double glazing.

jmh

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#1628069 12-Sep-2016 18:36

OK, hopefully we've solved the OP's problem in the rental property, so perhaps I can piggy back on this thread. I own my home and have floor to ceiling windows in the lounge and good-sized windows in all rooms. My house is usually toasty warm most of the time because I have HRV and brand new heat pumps that I'm pleased with. I don't get any condensation on the windows. However, when it's cold I can feel a chill from the windows even when the thermal curtains are pulled. I was wondering how good retrofit double glazing was. I'm also interested in if they reduce noise as well. I have a lot of windows to do so I don't want to completely replace if I can help it.

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#1628162 12-Sep-2016 20:48

You need to define "retrofit double glazing". Glad wrap over your windows can reduce condensation and keep a bit of heat in. 3mm thick rigid plastic does a lot better, it's meant to be 70% as good as proper double glazing. Keeping the window frames and replacing the windows is better again, noticeably.

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#1628170 12-Sep-2016 20:57

timmmay:

You need to define "retrofit double glazing". Glad wrap over your windows can reduce condensation and keep a bit of heat in. 3mm thick rigid plastic does a lot better, it's meant to be 70% as good as proper double glazing. Keeping the window frames and replacing the windows is better again, noticeably.

It is a good solution if you have small panes of glass, and many of these rentals will be. Although obviously you can't do it when your windows are 2.4 x 1m single panes.

jandal160165

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#1628193 12-Sep-2016 21:43

Current tv ads in the UK suggest to uninstall your old inefficient double glazing and install triple glazing.

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#1628271 12-Sep-2016 23:26

jandal160165:

Current tv ads in the UK suggest to uninstall your old inefficient double glazing and install triple glazing.

Thanks for that - First result I found http://www.pvc-warehouse.co.uk/ They have an online window price calculator. It said that a 200mm Wide and 1000mm High white PVC triple glazed window would cost GBP350.

Currently have wooden frames that already need repairs, But would much rather replace. Anyone know how much to get a shipping container from UK to NZ? Anyone else want triple glazing from the UK? Maybe share the cost of a container?

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timmmay

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#1628302 13-Sep-2016 07:06

Double and triple glazing is about half the price in the UK, but it's heavy and shipping would be slow and expensive. Then you have to pay the builder.

surfercdhick

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#1628319 13-Sep-2016 08:19

I live in an 80s Framhohs (like lockwood). Its 120m2 and has 6 ranch slider doors as well as plenty of other floor to ceiling glass.

Have tried everything to heat it well and we finally put a wood burner in this year - only reasonable way to heat the house. (I know that's not the solution for you).

But i've looked at many options. Retrofitting double glazing was going to be $40k (this is 2 yrs ago) - i suspect its come down in price as a friend has had a quote recently for not dissimilar amount of glass for about half that. However, we have old Al frames which will probably not hold heavy glazing units so would have to go the whole hog. (and this isn't easy in these houses as the walls are only 65mm thick, so need to get specially made).

A friend recently built a house and imported triple glazed units, i think from Germany. She got them installed in wood frames in NZ...bit of a faff i think but end result is good. Wasn't a low budget option for sure but she said cost about the same as good quality double glazed units done here.

Plastic on windows (the DIY kits) work well on the south side windows - but we have Al frames, so will be easy to get off. We have a couple of windows 5.5 m up the walls and we installed perspex sheets over these which is awesome - you don't see it but stops all the warm air going straight up and out - or reduces anyway.

We also insulated under the house (expol) which made a huge diff and got some of the rollers on the ranch sliders replaced so they line up better - no gaps.

Just keep trying stuff!

surfercdhick

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#1628321 13-Sep-2016 08:23

Also meant to say - from what i see rents have failen a lot in CHCH. Recent example: I'm in the hills...place next to me, 3br townhouse with double garage and some garden. Was renting for $500 up until recently, landlord took 6 weeks to retenant it (from the time they moved, so probably more like 9 weeks) at $430. And its really nice with great sun and views of the sea. Go figure.

I heard there are 1800 empty rentals in chc.

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#1628368 13-Sep-2016 09:49

timmmay:

Double and triple glazing is about half the price in the UK, but it's heavy and shipping would be slow and expensive. Then you have to pay the builder.

Before you pay the builder, what is the risk of damage in transit. Then you have to get another one over, or use something else for that section of the house. And once you've done all that, there is a slight possibility that it doesn't fit and need the house re-framed.

My wife likes to watch Grand Designs UK. I know.

jandal160165

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#1628381 13-Sep-2016 10:03

Possibly the days of buying items from anywhere and putting them in your house are gone... it may all have to be properly approved materials by a New Zealand Authority?

We used to have a guy in Nelson (German) who used to bring containers from Germany of anything you wanted to pay for. The prices were great. Friends would order all new appliances from Germany and get them in Nelson. Still cheaper than the local stores. Latest models too not unloaded old stock on the New Zealand market. Not sure if he is still doing this.

There are some great manufacturers in Germany as well. A friend in Nelson was quoted 45,000 for double glazed units for his smallish house using local products. But a German chainstore was selling windows for a few hundred each. The german word for window is Fenster i think. Use that in your google searches.

http://www.fenster-germany.de/

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#1628398 13-Sep-2016 10:19

timmmay:

Double and triple glazing is about half the price in the UK, but it's heavy and shipping would be slow and expensive. Then you have to pay the builder.

But for those prices will the manufacturers provide a producer compliance statement (or whatever it's called) that warrants it conforms to whatever standards are applicable in NZ?

(the UK/EU standards may be equivalent or better but they aren't 'the standards' that apply here).

I know I've seen building practices on Grand Designs that would be illegal in NZ.

Mike

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#1628401 13-Sep-2016 10:22

Thermal curtains work best if they run from floor to ceiling (almost touching both). Reduces convection.

Mike

timmmay

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#1628411 13-Sep-2016 10:28

MikeAqua:

timmmay:

Double and triple glazing is about half the price in the UK, but it's heavy and shipping would be slow and expensive. Then you have to pay the builder.

But for those prices will the manufacturers provide a producer compliance statement (or whatever it's called) that warrants it conforms to whatever standards are applicable in NZ?

(the UK/EU standards may be equivalent or better but they aren't 'the standards' that apply here).

I know I've seen building practices on Grand Designs that would be illegal in NZ.

I didn't say it was a good idea. I doubt they'd provide NZ statements, but I expect that they'd be made to a better standard than NZ.

MikeAqua

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#1628466 13-Sep-2016 11:35

timmmay:

I expect that they'd [UK windows] be made to a better standard than NZ.

It beyond certain point it doesn't matter who has the most rigorous standard.

What does matter is fit for purpose within an overall set of standards/approaches that comprise a building system.

For example ... framing, cladding, weather-tightness requirements, seismic performance

Even simple things like the depth and thickness of a window reveal can be important.

Mike

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