Glass for replacement windows
- BS 6262 safety glass in windowsBS 6262 safety glass in windows: where Building Regulations require it, what counts as safety glass, and how to check your replacement windows have it.
- Pilkington K glass and low-e windowsPilkington K glass is a low-e glass with a hard coating. What the coating does in a double glazed unit and what to ask your fitter about it.
- Secondary glazing noise reductionSecondary glazing noise reduction: why a wide gap beats a thick pane, what laminated glass adds, and how to read the decibel figures on a quote.
- Scratches on glass: repair or replaceScratches on glass in windows can often be repaired by a specialist. How the repair works, when replacement is cheaper, and what not to try yourself.
- Self cleaning glass: how it worksSelf cleaning glass uses a coating that reacts to daylight and rain. How it works, what it does not do, and whether it is worth having on windows.
- Obscure glass windows and patterned glassObscure glass windows hide the view but let the light in. How patterned and frosted glass differ, and what to check for bathrooms and low windows.
The glass in replacement windows decides how warm, quiet, safe and private a room feels, and it is the part of the specification that quotes most often skip. Two quotes can show the same frame and the same number of windows while quoting very different glass. This section explains the options, so that you can ask for the glass you want and see it written down.
What glass changes in replacement windows
Most of the choices come down to five things:
- Safety. Glass low in a window or in a door has to break safely. BS 6262 and safety glass explains where the rule applies and how a fitter shows it.
- Heat. A low-emissivity coating helps a window meet the energy limit. Pilkington K glass and low-e windows covers what the coating does and what to ask about it.
- Noise. A sealed double glazed unit does little for noise on its own. Secondary glazing noise reduction explains which changes help and which do not.
- Privacy. Obscure glass windows covers patterned and frosted panes for bathrooms and side windows.
- Upkeep. Self cleaning glass and scratches on glass deal with keeping the glass clear.
Glass for replacement windows is a small line on the quote
The frame sets most of the price, and the glass is a smaller part of it. That makes glass the cheapest place to get a better result, so it is worth a short conversation with the fitter before you order. Each replacement windows page shows where the money goes for your type of home, and the quote checker helps you see what a quote leaves out.
What to write down about the glass for replacement windows
Ask for the glass specification in writing before you pay a deposit. A good quote names:
- the type of glass in every pane, including any toughened, laminated or obscure panes;
- the coating and the make, if it has one;
- the thickness of each pane and the width of the gap between them;
- the energy rating or U-value for the whole window, not just the glass.
Where a window sits close to the floor, or beside a door, the fitter should also say which panes are safety glass. The rules behind those answers are in the rules for replacing windows, and the Planning Portal has a guide to the building regulations for windows.
When you have the specification, compare quotes like for like, then find window fitters near you or get free quotes.
Get quotes for your home
A guide price only takes you so far. Local firms can price the work on your own home, and comparing a few quotes is the quickest way to see what is reasonable.
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