Discover How to Prepare Your Home for Double Glazing Installation

Considering a switch to double glazing? Fantastic choice!

Here are some steps to ensure your double glazing installation runs smoothly.

In this article, you’ll discover:

How to select the right windows for double glazing.
What to do before the installation.
Key steps to prepare your home.
Frequently asked questions.

If you’ve been living with single glazing, transitioning to double glazing is a smart move. It can help reduce energy bills, minimise drafts, and even lessen noise. But how do you get your home ready for this installation?

Let’s dive in.

Once you’ve decided on double glazing, the first step is to choose the type of windows you want. While you’ve already decided on double glazing, there are numerous styles, materials, and colours available. Here’s a quick overview.

Double Glazed Window Styles

Double glazed windows come in various styles, which can be a bit overwhelming at first. The key is to pick a style that complements the age and design of your home, creating an authentic appearance especially important if you’re replacing or adding to a period property.

This is crucial if your home is a listed building! Common styles include:

Each style has its own pros and cons.

Remember, you don’t have to stick with the same window style throughout your property. Mixing styles can create an appealing contrast. For example, you might opt for modern windows in a new extension while choosing traditional sash or casement windows elsewhere.

Double Glazed Window Materials

Deciding on a frame material is also essential. Consider factors like durability, maintenance, and budget. Here are the main options:

uPVC Window Frames: Cost-effective, low maintenance, and energy-efficient, making them a popular choice.
Timber Window Frames: More traditional and ideal for older properties. They can be painted to match your home’s style but require more upkeep.
Aluminium Window Frames: Gaining popularity for their durability and minimal maintenance. They can be customised in various colours and have slim frame widths.
Composite Window Frames: Combining two materials for hybrid benefits, often featuring aluminium-clad timber or uPVC frames.
Colours

Once you’ve chosen your window style and material, it’s time for the fun part—selecting colours! Most materials allow for a range of colours. Timber frames can be painted, while uPVC windows often come in various shades, including black and grey. Expect to pay 10% to 20% more for coloured uPVC windows compared to standard white frames, with additional costs for less common colours or wood grain effects.

Choosing the right colour can significantly affect your home’s appearance. For example, sage green frames can give a charming cottage vibe, while black frames can lend a modern or industrial feel.

Energy Ratings

Finally, consider the Window Energy Ratings (WER). You want to avoid feeling cold in your own home because you didn’t pick windows with a higher energy rating!

All windows produced in the UK receive an energy rating from E (least efficient) to A++ (most efficient). These ratings assess heat retention and the rate of heat loss.

Current building regulations require replacement windows and those in new homes to achieve a WER of C or better. Certain styles and materials provide better energy efficiency; for instance, casement windows often achieve an A+ rating. Typically, uPVC and timber are the most energy-efficient materials. If you wish to maximise savings on energy bills, consider upgrading to triple glazing!

What to Do Before Fitting Double Glazing

After selecting your new windows, it’s time to prepare your home for the installation! While you won’t be doing the installation yourself, you’ll want to ensure that everything goes as seamlessly as possible for both you and your installer. Here are some steps to facilitate a smooth process:

Make Access Easy
- Ensure your installer has easy access to installation points. If you have a driveway, move your car to free up space. If parking is limited, use a cone to reserve a spot in front of your home. This way, your installer won’t have to carry heavy windows too far.
- Clear any obstacles, such as garden furniture or pots, and remove wet leaves that could be slippery.
Clear Indoor Obstacles
- Your installer will need access to both the interior and exterior of your home. Move furniture, lamps, and boxes out of the way to make their job easier and protect your belongings.
- Don’t forget to clear the area around the window—remove curtains, blinds, and any items from window sills, and consider taking down curtain poles that may obstruct the work.
Draught-Proof Your Home
- To maximize the benefits of double glazing, ensure your home is draught-proof. Use storm guard seals on external doors, fill gaps around pipes with silicone filler, and install draught excluders for letterboxes, keyholes, and chimney flues (if not in use). This preparation allows you to lower your heating and enjoy your new double glazing.
Protect Your Floors and Furniture
- Cover your floors and furniture with dust sheets before installation. While good installers will minimise mess, double glazing can create dust and debris, and they’ll be frequently moving in and out of your home.
- Although installers typically bring their coverings, having your own on hand can be a time-saver. Also, store your curtains and blinds away from the work area to keep them clean.
Stock Up on Snacks!
- Lastly, don’t forget to have tea, coffee, and biscuits available! While it’s not mandatory, your installers will appreciate the refreshments during their hard work, and it can help foster a positive relationship with your contractor.

Key Steps to Get Your Home Ready

Ensure easy access for the installer.
Remove obstacles from the installation area.
Use dust sheets to protect interiors.
Keep refreshments readily available.
Draught-proof your home to optimise your new double glazing.

FAQs

Is double glazing fitted from the inside or outside?
Double glazing is typically installed from both the inside and outside of your home. Installers will aim to work from outside to minimise indoor mess, but some tasks are more efficient from the inside, especially with high windows. Certain jobs, such as securing points and sealing, can only be completed from inside.