Why Secondary Glazing Is the Smarter Alternative to Full Window Replacement
Your windows are leaking money—and comfort. If your home is too noisy, too cold in winter, too hot in summer, and your energy bills keep rising, the reason might be your single glazed windows. But what if you could cut noise by 80% and heat loss by 70% without the cost or hassle of full window replacement? Secondary glazing is the better, smarter alternative to double glazed products—and here’s why. Is Secondary Glazing Cheaper Than Replacing Windows? Yes, secondary glazing is significantly cheaper than replacing windows with new double glazed products. While full double glazing requires entirely new windows, doors, and frames, secondary glazing is a retrofit solution applied to your existing windows. This means no major construction work, no mess, and no lengthy installations. Comparison Table: Solution Average Price (AUD/m²) Major Disruption? Requires New Windows? Full Double Glazed Windows $1,000–$1,500 Yes Yes Secondary Glazing ~$450 No No DIY Secondary Glazing Kit ~$250 No No Because it uses your current window frame, secondary glazing is a cost effective option for homeowners wanting thermal insulation and soundproofing improvements without replacing every window. You can choose between DIY product kits or professional installation, depending on your budget and preferences. How Secondary Glazing Improves Energy Efficiency Every home deserves peace and comfort. Single glazed units allow air leaks and thermal bridging, leading to heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Secondary glazing creates a sealed air gap over your existing single pane, dramatically reducing heat transfer. Key Benefits of Installing Secondary Glazing: Reduces heat transfer by up to 70%. Cuts energy bills by up to 20%. Creates thermal insulation without removing existing windows or doors. Seals gaps around the window frame to prevent draughts. Secondary glazing acts as a passive thermal barrier, mimicking the performance of double glazed products. Whether acrylic, polycarbonate, or glass panels are used, they create an insulating air space between the secondary panel and the original single glazed panel. Choosing this alternative to double glazing allows you to retain your existing windows and doors while enjoying significant energy savings year-round. Heating and cooling costs drop as less energy escapes through inefficient single glazed units. Secondary Glazing for Noise Reduction: Enjoy a Quieter Home Still waking up at 3 AM to outside noise? If you live near traffic, schools, or noisy neighbours, poor glazing is costing you more than you think—not just in energy, but in sleep and wellbeing. Installing secondary glazing can reduce sound pollution by up to 80%. Why Secondary Glazing Offers Better Sound Insulation: Separate panels act as independent sound barriers. Larger air gaps between panes reduce vibration transmission. Acoustic-grade acrylic, polycarbonate, or glass panels can be used for better performance. Secondary glazing creates a better, peaceful interior environment by adding a supplementary panel behind your existing glass. It significantly reduces external sound infiltration, making your living spaces quieter and more comfortable. This is particularly effective for bedrooms, living areas, and homes in noisy suburban or urban locations where sound never sleeps. If you need a better soundproofing solution that won’t alter your home’s appearance, secondary glazing is ideal. How Easy Is It to Install Secondary Glazing? How to reduce outside noise without renovating your whole house? By choosing secondary glazing, installation is quick and easy, without major disruption to your home. 3 Step Process: Get a Quote – Based on the size of your windows and desired product type. Choose Installation Method – DIY product kit or professional installation. Enjoy Comfort – Product installation is fast, clean, and hassle-free. Options include DIY kits for handy homeowners or professional fitting for a perfect finish. Unlike traditional double glazed windows, which require full frame replacement, secondary glazing simply mounts inside the existing window frame. This type of glazing suits all common window types: sash, sliding, fixed, casement, and more. Keep Your Home’s Original Look with Secondary Glazing One reason many homeowners hesitate to double glaze their windows and doors is concern about altering their property’s appearance. But secondary glazing preserves your home’s original look, making it ideal for heritage homes, character properties, or areas with aesthetic regulations. Why Secondary Glazing Retains Style: Fits discreetly inside existing window frames. No change to external windows or doors. Custom colour mouldings match timber or aluminium frames. Panels are almost invisible once installed. Because secondary glazing is fitted on the interior, it leaves the exterior aesthetic of your home untouched. Whether you have French doors, sliding windows, or fixed panels, secondary glazed solutions are designed to blend in seamlessly. You’ll retain the beauty of your home while benefiting from modern insulation and soundproofing performance. Does Secondary Glazing Make Your Home More Secure? Yes, secondary glazing enhances home security by adding a physical barrier over your existing glazing. A professionally fitted acrylic, polycarbonate, or glass panel, sealed with secure fixings, makes forced entry significantly more difficult. Security Advantages: Tough acrylic panels resist impact. Locked or fixed panels add extra layers of protection. Sealed units prevent easy access to original window latches. Secondary glazed products with dual-panel setups act as deterrents to intruders. This type of glazing effectively converts vulnerable single glazed windows into multi-layered barriers. While it primarily improves thermal and acoustic efficiency, it also contributes to better security in your home, protecting your property against potential break-ins. Stop Condensation with Secondary Glazing: How It Works Condensation occurs when warm, moist indoor air contacts cold window surfaces. Over time, this causes moisture buildup, leading to mould, mildew, and frame deterioration. Secondary glazing helps prevent this by maintaining warmer internal glass surfaces. How Secondary Glazing Prevents Condensation: Adds an insulating air gap to stop internal glass cooling below the dew point. Reduces moisture condensation around window frames. Protects timber and aluminium frames from rot and corrosion. Keeps internal spaces healthier and drier. By eliminating the cold surface contact that causes condensation, secondary glazing protects both your home and your health. Mould and damp air can be effectively minimised, contributing to improved indoor air quality throughout the year. Why Secondary Glazing is
Double vs. Secondary Glazing: Which One Actually Makes a Bigger Difference?
Double vs. Secondary Glazing: Which One is Better for Your Home? For homeowners living in noisy urban or suburban areas, the question of whether double glazing or secondary glazing makes a bigger difference is critical. In Australia’s climate, where hot summers and cold winters are common, reducing heat loss, cutting noise, and improving comfort can significantly offer an enhanced quality of life. In simple terms, double glazed products provide superior thermal insulation and long-term energy savings, while installing secondary glazing on your windows and doors can offer a new, cost-effective, non-intrusive solution that works well for certain applications. Understanding how these two glazing options for windows and doors differ will help you make a smarter investment in your property’s comfort, value, and energy efficiency. What is Double Glazing? Benefits, Costs & Downsides Explained Double glazing involves replacing your existing windows and doors with a double-glazed product, consisting of two panes of glass separated by a vacuum or argon gas layer, sealed within the window or door frame. This design significantly reduces heat transfer and external noise, while improving year-round energy performance. Benefits of double glazing windows and doors include: Reducing external noise by up to 80 percent Lowering heat transfer by up to 70 percent Saving up to 20 percent on your energy bills Increasing property value through improved energy ratings Enhancing security and reducing condensation on your windows and doors Double-glazed windows and doors provide long-term comfort and are widely considered Australia’s new, most effective home insulation upgrade after underfloor insulation. In terms of costs, double glazed products are a substantial investment. Expect: $700 to $1,500 per window, depending on the size of your windows or doors, and glazing specifications Full home upgrades ranging between $12,000 and $30,000 The main downsides are the higher upfront price and the fact that installation of your double-glazed products requires the removal and replacement of your existing window and door systems. However, in homes where comfort and efficiency are priorities, double glazing offers undeniable advantages. What is Secondary Glazing? Advantages, Costs & Downsides Explained Secondary glazed products are retrofit systems that add a secondary glass or acrylic panel to the inside of your existing single glazed windows and doors. It is often seen as the best alternative to double glazed products, particularly in heritage homes or properties where replacing windows and doors isn’t permitted. Advantages of installing secondary glazing include: Quick and easy to fit over any existing windows and doors, from sliding to hinged Lower cost than double glazing Minimal structural disruption to your home Suitable for windows and doors in heritage or listed properties DIY secondary glazing product kits available for basic installations However, secondary glazing is less effective than double glazing when it comes to reducing heat loss and improving energy efficiency. Costs typically include: $250 to $450 per window or door for professionally installed products DIY product kits starting from around $150 per window or door Downsides involve: Less thermal insulation compared to double-glazed windows and doors Condensation issues may develop between the original and secondary panes on your windows and doors Cleaning is more complex due to the four-glass surface design involved Secondary glazing is the best lower-cost solution for noise reduction and modest energy improvements, but it lacks the comprehensive benefits of professionally installed double-glazed windows and doors. Insulation Comparison: Which Glazing Keeps Heat In More Effectively? When comparing thermal insulation performance, a double glazed product is clearly more efficient than fitting secondary glazing. Double glazing design uses sealed, argon-filled units or vacuum spaces between panes on your windows or doors to block heat transfer, providing: Up to 70 percent reduction in heat transfer Year-round temperature control: cooler in summer and warmer in winter Reduction in energy costs by up to 20 percent Secondary glazing relies on an air gap, without the benefit of a sealed unit, delivering: Around 30 percent improvement over single glazed windows and doors Moderate improvements in comfort energy efficiency Less effective barrier against heat loss and heat gain For Australian homeowners looking to maximise savings on their energy bills, double glazed windows and doors are the recommended solution. They actively help retain warmth during winter and reduce reliance on air conditioning products during summer, making them a new and better long-term investment. Noise Reduction Battle: Does Double or Secondary Glazing Block Sound Better? Both glazing options help reduce external commotion, but the difference lies in the effectiveness of each solution. Double glazing: Double glazed windows and doors reduce noise transfer by up to 80 percent They offer consistent soundproofing through professionally sealed units Ideal for properties near airports, highways, or noisy neighbourhoods Secondary glazing: Secondary glazed windows and doors reduce noise by up to 60 percent Can outperform double glazed products if fitted with a large air gap (up to 200mm) Performs best with laminated glass and professional installation While secondary glazing systems create two independent barriers that may disrupt sound transmission effectively, most homeowners experience the highest reduction in everyday racket using modern double glazed glass windows and doors. For those prioritising sound insulation and wanting to cut noise by 80 percent without moving house, double glazing your windows and doors is the best option that makes the biggest difference. Double vs. Secondary Glazing Costs: Installation, Savings & Value Compared A key decision factor for many homeowners is cost. Secondary glazing is more affordable upfront, but double glazing will offer greater long-term savings. Aspect Double Glazing Secondary Glazing Cost Per Window $700–$1,500 $250–$450 DIY Option No Yes Thermal Performance High Moderate Noise Reduction Up to 80% Up to 60% Return on Investment 8–10 years 4–5 years Property Value Adds value No significant impact Lifespan 20–30 years 5–15 years Secondary glazing is often viewed as a temporary or budget-conscious solution, whereas double glazing is ideal for homeowners seeking a sustainable, energy efficient, and property-enhancing design upgrade. Visual Appeal & Planning Rules: How Each Glazing Type Affects Your Home’s Look In heritage or
Acoustic Insulation With Secondary Glazing
Burleigh on The Beach, a holiday apartment building on the Gold Coast, just went through a major improvement with the addition of secondary glazing. No more annoying traffic sounds from the Gold Coast Highway. Secondary glazing was fitted to the apartments which face the constant traffic of the Gold Coast Highway. Patrons of Burleigh on the Beach were not happy with the buzz that they were hearing even when the windows were closed. The hotel contacted us to help with acoustic insulation for those apartment windows, and it has already noted a significant difference in the amount of noise transmission coming into those rooms. How Does Secondary Glazing work? Fitting custom made secondary glazed windows and doors can achieve a noise reduction of up to *80% and give you back your peace and quiet. This is especially important for holidaymakers who wouldn’t want their tranquil holiday setting mired by the buzz of constant traffic. Secondary double glazing is easily the most cost effective noise solution for the majority of situations; it’s fast, simple, and typically requires no changes to the existing window or window dressings. Besides acoustic insulation, secondary glazing also has thermal benefits protecting homes (and hotels) from the hot/cool outside weather. Using the Winseal™ system, sliding glass or hinged panels are custom-made to fit to the existing window frame. The fit is exact and provides an insulating pocket between your existing window and the Winseal™ pane. This can be opened and closed allowing access to your original window. Read more on secondary glazing here: Secondary Glazing Secondary Glazing: What Results to Expect