DIY Secondary Glazing: Pros & Cons

Are you looking to enhance your windows? Maybe for acoustic reasons or to save on heating?

Nowadays, a lot of individuals are choosing inexpensive do-it-yourself plastic and magnetic secondary glazing over the conventional option. While some people may find it helpful to use cheap DIY plastic and magnetic secondary glazing instead of the traditional option, it is important to understand the possible drawbacks before making a decision.

First of all, let’s discuss what is secondary glazing. The process involves adding a layer of glazing to the inside of an existing window, creating a double-glazed effect and is a great way to improve the energy efficiency of your windows without having to replace them.

The demand for secondary glazing has increased in recent years as people want to keep their old window design instead of replacing it. Secondary Glazing is very popular for Historic and Listed Buildings but works with all other buildings as well.

There are a few pros and cons of DIY Secondary Glazing that you should consider before making a decision. Continue reading to learn more information…

Pros of DIY Secondary Glazing

Cost Effective: Plastic DIY secondary glazing is often much cheaper than hiring a professional to do the job or replacing your windows with new double or triple-glazed units. You can save extra money by doing it yourself.

Customization: When you are doing the secondary glazing yourself, you have control over how you want it to look. For example, using a specific glazing material or adding a specific feature like handles or catches.

Learning Experience: When you use plastic DIY secondary glazing yourself, this accounts for a great learning experience. This will allow you to learn new skills and acquire new knowledge.

Control over The full Process: When you do the job yourself, you can have full control over the process, such as the quality of the material, the level of workmanship, and how long it will take to finish the job.

Reduced Environmental Impact: Adding secondary glazing to your existing windows and reusing them reduces waste and minimizes the environmental impact of your home improvement project.

Cons of DIY Secondary Glazing

There are more cons to DIY Secondary glazing than Pros. Let’s discuss the cons in more detail…..

Poor long-term investment: Plastic DIY secondary glazing is a great short-term choice, however, it could be a poor long-term investment. This is because traditional secondary glazing is significantly more durable and efficient than plastic DIY secondary glazing, which means that you will likely need to replace it more often. As a result, you may end up spending more money in the long run on replacement materials and labour costs. That’s the reason that you Don’t DIY and leave it to the expert. 

Poor Material: The other disadvantage would be that manufacturers of DIY plastic and magnetic secondary glazing often do not offer the same level of warranty or guarantee as aluminium secondary glazing, so you may not be covered if something goes wrong with your DIY system.

Time Investment: Installing plastic and magnetic DIY secondary glazing can be challenging, and you may eventually need the help of a professional to get it right. Attempting a DIY project without the right tools or experience can be a waste of time and money, and the outcome may not meet your expectations.

No Guarantee: Traditional secondary glazing last for many years and often has a guarantee whereas DIY secondary glazing, such as plastic or magnetic, is often not as durable and may not come with the same level of protection. If something goes wrong, you may have to pay a lot of money for repairs or replacements in the future, which can be expensive.

Less Energy Efficient: Traditional secondary glazing is highly energy efficient, whereas DIY secondary glazing may not provide the same effectiveness to reduce heat loss. This means you may end up with higher energy bills in the long run if you opt for DIY secondary glazing instead of traditional secondary glazing.

Not Safe: Traditional secondary glazing is safer and goes through a lot of tests to make sure it’s safe and meets quality standards. Whereas, DIY secondary glazing may not be as safe as traditional secondary glazing since it has not gone through the same testing process and may not offer the same level of protection.

Our Final Thoughts

At Granada, we provide a robust manufacturer warranty and an installer’s warranty with our secondary glazing products. We ensure quality by overseeing the entire manufacturing process, and our 35+ years of experience in the industry attest to our expertise.

If you are looking to make your home more energy-efficient, secondary glazing is a better option than DIY plastic or magnetic glazing because it is more durable, efficient, and safer. Moreover, it usually comes with a longer-term guarantee. If you want to enhance your home’s energy efficiency, consider secondary glazing.

Why not call us today on 01909 499 899 or fill in a form online our experts will be in touch ASAP.

Is secondary glazing right for you?

Download this handy guide to find out how secondary glazing can positively impact your home.

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