Why does double glazing cost so much?

For many people, the cost of double glazing can come as a surprise. For example, if you’re having 10 or more windows installed on a two-storey house, the overall price could be upwards of £5,000. This is mostly because every window size is unique, with individual measurements. For those renovating, double glazing proves costly as the entire window must be replaced, which requires a lot of new materials and construction time. However, if you’re completing an extension on your property, this is not as much of an issue.

Quality vs Cost

The most important cost-cutting strategy with double glazing is to weigh up the advantages of paying for better quality or more attractive materials against their effectiveness. While aluminium and wood frames may have the most appealing look, you can reduce the cost of materials by going for the standard uPVC frames. The choice of inert gas can be considered in a similar way - while argon is the least effective, it is the least expensive, making it a popular choice with homeowners.

Top tip: Before purchasing your window, always remember to check out its U-value.

Take your time

Plan your glazing venture far in advance in order to consider all of your options - avoid going straight in, guns blazing. Look into getting quotes from at least three different building companies to ensure that you’re being offered a fair fee. Additionally, don’t necessarily go straight with the cheapest quote, as it’s important to make sure that your window installer is reputable - this can be checked through the Which? Trusted Traders website.

Cheaper alternatives to double glazing

• Secondary glazing: This is a great alternative to double glazing. It’s a less costly option for the homeowner as you don’t need to refit the whole window, just add another pane to the existing window. This cuts the cost to about 1/5th of the price. However, this option is about half as effective at insulating as double glazing, so it would be another case of weighing up quality against cost and budget.
• Thermal curtains: While they have their practical difficulties, thermal curtains are certainly an option for those who believe double glazing is out of their price range. Thermal curtains have a special lining that stops heat escaping through the windows. This option has become more popular in recent years, regardless of their obvious drawback - only being functional in the evening (unless you’re happy living in the dark!).

Glossary

• Argon - A type of inert gas, commonly used in double glazing.
• Inert gas - A gas that does not react with many substances.
• U-value - The u-value is a calculated measurement of how efficient an insulator the glass is.
• uPVC - A hard, inflexible, and durable plastic that’s good value for money.