Secondary Glazing Cost

Looking to find out how much secondary glazing costs in the UK?

In this guide, we go through everything you need to know about secondary glazing installations.

This includes what the cost of secondary glazing is for different-sized homes, so that anyone can calculate how much it will cost them to have such windows fitted!

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How Much Does Secondary Glazing Cost?

For the average UK homeowner, secondary glazing costs around £2,500 to install in 2025.

However, secondary glazing prices vary depending on the number of windows you want to apply secondary glazing to and your location in the UK. The average cost of secondary glazing per window is usually between £250 to £500 per window.

Secondary glazing is easier to fit than double glazing and is a more reasonable project that DIY enthusiasts could take on.

However, most people will find it still makes more sense to hire a local tradesperson to come and professionally fit the secondary glazing for them — so they can be confident that it has been done right.

Secondary glazing involves installing an extra set of glazing on the inside of an existing window. It can be permanent addition, or can be installed just as a temporary measure.

Secondary glazing is often installed for the same reasons as double glazing — to offer better insulation and soundproofing. However, secondary glazing costs significantly less than double glazing.

It can also be your best option if you're living in a listed property and aren't permitted to replace your windows.

For listed buildings or conservation areas, the slim aluminium frames used for secondary glazing are unobtrusive and almost invisible from the outside, retaining the external character of your property. This means you won't need to get planning permission from your local authority, as they categorise secondary glazing as a removable item.

Secondary Glazing Prices

How Much Is Secondary Glazing Installation?

Now, let's take a look at labour costs and timescales.

On average, professional window contractors will charge around £120 to £180 per day for labour. A secondary glazing installation often requires two contactors, so you can expect the labour costs to be around £200 to £300 per day of work.

The time frame to install secondary glazing will vary depending on the size of your home and the number of windows that you want the secondary glazing to be fitted to.

Fitting secondary glazing to four windows can usually be completed within a day, whereas the fitting of secondary glazing on a detached home of around 15 windows usually takes around 3 to 4 days.

The cost for labour also varies due to the number of windows and the time it takes to fit them. Fitting of secondary glazing to four windows usually costs around £230 to £280 in total for the labour, however, the labour costs for a detached home of around 15 windows costs around £800 to £1,100 on average.

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What Impacts Secondary Glazing Costs?

There are a number of factors that can affect the cost of your secondary glazing installation. Below is a list of the main things that can affect the price that you would pay for secondary glazing:

Number of Windows

The number of windows that need to have secondary glazing installed can greatly affect the overall cost of the job.

On average, the cost to install secondary glazing on four windows is around £1,230 to £1,780 whereas the cost to install secondary glazing on fifteen windows is an average of £5,100 to £5,900 for the total cost of the job. As you can see, the number of windows plays a huge part in the price that you should expect to pay for secondary glazing.

Location in the UK

Your location in the UK can also affect the cost that you are going to pay. Labour costs in London are around £20 to £50 more per day, so the labour costs can add up for those living in and around London.

Type and Size of House

The type and size of the house that you live in will affect the number of windows that you have. The more windows that need to have secondary glazing installed, the more you can expect to pay for the job overall.

Age of Home

Older properties tend to have non-standard-shaped windows and, therefore, will require bespoke secondary glazing. Since the secondary glazing will have to be specially made to suit the shape of the window, it will cost a lot more than the standard sizes.

Additional Secondary Glazing Costs

There are a number of additional costs that may arise when it comes to installing secondary glazing to the windows at your home.

Below is a list of some of those extra costs that you may need to consider:

• Window cleaning - £30 to £50
• Resealing windows and doors - £40 to £50
• Fitting new windows - £3,000 to £4,000
• Replacing blown window - £60 to £80

What is Secondary Glazing?

Secondary glazing involves the fitting of a thin and discreet internal window that exists in addition to your current window type. It acts as a cost-effective and very efficient way to soundproof and insulate your windows.

There is usually a slight gap between your existing window and the new secondary glazing. This gap traps air and diffuses sound waves in order to provide the insulation and soundproofing that you require.

Secondary glazing is much cheaper than having new windows installed since nothing needs to be removed in order to fit them.

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What's Involved in Installing Secondary Glazing?

Below you will find a step-by-step guide on how to install secondary glazing:

1. Measure Your Window – Use a tape measure to take the measurements of the glass on your window. Once you have your measurements, add 25mm to each measurement to give you the size of the secondary glazing sheet that you will need.
2. Trim Down Your Secondary Glazing Sheets – Based on the measurements taken in the previous step, mark up your secondary glazing sheets and place them on a cutting table. Clamp the plastic down and cut it by hand using a hacksaw or padsaw.
3. Apple Magnetic Strips – Once the glazing has been shaped, you must smooth off the edges using sandpaper and use a cloth to wipe away any remaining bits of plastic. Then, stick the self-adhesive magnetic strip to each edge of the glazing and peel off the protective paper as you work your way around. The corners can either be mitred or simply butted up to the next strip.
4. Position the New Glazing Panel – Hold your secondary glazing sheet up to the window so that it overlaps the window frame evenly on each side. Use a pencil to draw a line around the sheet to mark the outer edge ready for mounting the new glazing.
5. Fix the Adhesive Strip – Remove the glazing once again and fit the self-adhesive metal strip to your window frame. Be sure it lines up with your pencil markings and peel off the protective paper as you go along.
6. Line the Sheet Up to The Window – Before finally installing the secondary glazing, give the glass of your window a wipe clean. Then, line the sheet up to the frame and stick the two parts together. Finally, peel away the protective coating.

Can I Install Secondary Glazing Myself?

A major benefit to secondary glazing is that it is much easier to fit than replacement double glazing. With this in mind, it could be done as a DIY project; however, it still does require some basic skills and a little bit of patience in order to do a good job.

You need to be sure that you can take accurate measurements so that you can order the right size of glazing as needed. Glazing can be made to measure, or you can cut it yourself. However, no matter which option you choose, you need to be sure that you can take accurate measurements of your windows.

The job itself is quite simple, provided you can take the right measurements and that you’re patient enough to be able to line up the pieces correctly. If you are at all unsure as to whether you will have the patience or precision to complete the job, then you should hire a professional contractor to carry out the job who has experience of fitting secondary glazing.

Types of Secondary Glazing Windows

Below is a list of the different types of secondary glazing that you can get for your home:

Lift Out Secondary Glazing

Lift out secondary glazing panels are ones that are removable and allow for occasional access. They come in a number of different shapes, sizes, and thicknesses, so you can get exactly what you need to suit your windows.

This type of glazing also allows for access so that you can clean the inside of your windows as needed.

Pros

• ✔ Lifts out for access
• ✔ Allows you to remove for cleaning
• ✔ Supports large windows
• ✔ Comes in different shapes and styles

Cons

• ✖ Less Secure than other secondary glazing types

Horizontal Slider Units

Slider units come in a number of different sizes and styles and usually have between two and five panels depending on the size of the window it is being installed in. They can also come in a variety of colours to suit your specific taste and match your window and room.

Pros

• ✔ Comes in different shapes and styles
• ✔ Comes in a variety of colours
• ✔ Can accommodate small and large windows
• ✔ Versatile

Cons

• ✖ Difficult to install

Vertical Slider Units

Vertical slider units come in a number of different sizes and styles and are designed specifically to be used on sash windows. They can also come in a variety of colours to suit your specific taste and match your window and room.

Pros

• ✔ Comes in different shapes and styles
• ✔ Come in different glazing sizes for various options for sound and heat insulation

Cons

• ✖ Difficult to install

Hinged Glazing Units

Hinged glazing has the benefit of having a variety of different hinges, and these allow different types of access, so you can choose the type of hinge that best suits your specific needs. This type of glazing unit can be used as a fire escape due to the various opening options. It also improves security with multi-point locking.

Pros

• ✔ Allows different types of access
• ✔ Can be used as a fire escape
• ✔ Improves security
• ✔ Excellent acoustic installation

Cons

• ✖ Bulky
• ✖ Difficult to install

Alternatives to Secondary Glazing

There are some alternatives to secondary glazing available.

Below is a list of the alternatives to secondary glazing that you may wish to consider:

Double Glazing Costs

Double glazing windows contain sealed units that are created using two pieces of glass. The gap between the two panes of glass provides good insulation for the home against the cold weather outside.

Typically, double glazing costs between £100 and £300 per window.

Pros

• ✔ Good insulation
• ✔ Lower energy bills
• ✔ Prevents a lot of condensation
• ✔ Better soundproofing
• ✔ Better durability and security
• ✔ Increase property value

Cons

• ✖ More expensive than secondary glazing
• ✖ Can’t be repaired

Triple Glazing Costs

Triple glazing windows contain sealed units that are created using three pieces of glass. The gap between the three panes of glass provides good insulation for the home against the cold weather outside.

On average, triple glazing costs around £300 to £500 per window.

Pros

• ✔ Excellent insulation
• ✔ Lower energy bills
• ✔ Prevents almost all chances of condensation
• ✔ Better soundproofing
• ✔ Better durability and security
• ✔ Increase property value

Cons

• ✖ More expensive than secondary glazing and double glazing
• ✖ Can’t be repaired
• ✖ Bulky
• ✖ Extra weight can put a strain on hinges and joints

Building Regulations for Secondary Glazing

Listed properties and properties in conservation areas may be subject to restrictions. It is always in your best interest to check with your local council any time you make changes to homes of these types.

For listed buildings or conservation areas, the slim aluminium frames used for secondary glazing are unobtrusive and almost invisible from the outside, retaining the external character of your property and thereby avoiding the need for local authority planning permission.

However, any changes to listed buildings have strict rules and restrictions, so it is always best to check completely before making any types of changes to these homes.

For all other homes, there are no building regulations to consider for secondary glazing.

Benefits of Secondary Glazing

There are a number of great benefits to installing secondary glazing in your home. Below is a list of some of the main advantages of secondary glazing:

Reduces Energy Costs

Secondary glazing offers better insulation and so can result in lower energy costs. It is also cheaper to install than double or triple glazing, so it can be a much cheaper alternative than getting replacement windows put into your home.

Provides Insulation

Secondary glazing provides a great amount of insulation, which will help to keep your home a lot warmer — even in winter months. This extra insulation can also result in lower energy costs overall.

Reduces Noise

The extra layer added onto your window can result in a lot less noise coming through from the outside. This can be especially beneficial if you live somewhere where there is a lot of noise, such as a city or on a busy road.

Added Security

The extra layer on your window also provides an added layer of security. Instead of just having a stand-alone window, you also have a second layer of protection on the home for your own peace of mind.

Cost of Secondary Glazing Removal

If you want to make any alterations to your existing windows or if you would like to paint the frames, then you may need to remove your secondary glazing temporarily. Removing them is quite a straightforward job. However, you may prefer to have a professional come in to remove them to avoid damaging them in any way.

If you would like to hire a contractor to come to your home to remove secondary glazing, they will usually charge around £100 to £200 per day for the cost of labour.

Hiring Someone to Install Secondary Glazing Checklist

There are a number of things that you may need to consider when it comes to hiring someone to install secondary glazing. Below is a list of all of the things that you should think about before making a decision on the right person to take on the job:

• Be sure to get the quote in writing so that you know exactly what you can expect to pay once the secondary glazing job is complete.
• Always obtain at least 3 separate quotes for the job so that you can ensure you’re getting a good price.
• Ask for a breakdown of costs on the quotes so that you can be certain that you’re getting a good price for each different element of the job.
• For any payments you make, always get a receipt.
• Ask around for recommendations on good contractors in your local area.
• Find out what materials the contractor will be using for their work – you don’t want to skimp out on quality to save a bit of money upfront. This may result in you having to spend more on repairs in the future.
• Find out how much experience the contractor has in installing secondary glazing.

FAQs

Sources

https://interactive.planningportal.co.uk/detached-house/outside/windows-and-doors/planning-permission
https://www.ggf.org.uk/myglazing/news/all-about-secondary-glazing/
https://www.bridgewaterglass.co.uk/news/secondary-glazing-guide-what-is-secondary-glazing-and-what-are-the-different-types/