Dartford Double Glazing Installer Near Me

Double-glazed windows are made up of two panes of glass that are split by a sealed cavity to insulate your home. This gap acts as a barrier that reduces the amount of heat escaping your home. Additionally, double-glazing incorporates warm-edge spacers to stop condensation forming and ensure your windows stay clear. Double-glazing is used to help create warmer, quieter, and more energy-efficient homes.

As a general guide, a double-glazing installation service can cost £400 to £600 per standard window; however, this varies depending on the window's size and frame material. For a typical semi-detached home with about ten windows, this roughly equates to £4,000-£6,000. uPVC frames are usually the cheapest, while aluminium and timber can cost more. 

The time it takes to complete a double-glazing installation varies based on your property's size, access and complexity. Standard windows can be double-glazed in roughly 1-2 hours each. However, bay windows, sash replacements, and upper floors often need scaffolding, which can add time. A compact property with 6-8 windows can be fully completed in a single day, whereas a typical semi with 8-12 windows can take 1-3 days to complete. Additionally, the frames need at least 24 to 48 hours to fully cure.

Double glazing boosts your comfort and efficiency by adding a second pane and a sealed insulating gap to the window unit. Modern units use low-emissivity (low-E) coatings and warm-edge spacers to keep the heat inside and reduce internal condensation. Thermally broken aluminium or uPVC frames can resist draughts and are easy to maintain. In short, double-glazing reduces cold spots and regulates your home's indoor temperature better, which can help lower your energy bills over time.

If you're unsure when it’s time to replace your double glazing, you should look for warning signs like fogging between the panes, draughts and rooms that don't quite warm up. Higher heating bills, cold edges around the frames and whistling on windy days are all signs that you have failing seals.

Stiff handles, dropping sashes, misaligned locks, or broken hinges are also signs that your double-glazed window needs replacing. The most obvious signs that you need new double glazing are damp patches, peeling paint or black mould at the reveals, since it's a sign that there's water ingress.

Double glazing can help cut your energy bills since it reduces your heat loss. The two panes slow down the rate of conduction and convection, meaning that your rooms can retain heat in winter and resist heat in summer. The low-emissivity coatings reflect radiant heat back indoors, while the warm-edge spacers reduce cold bridging at the frame's perimeter.

At Window Fix Direct Kent, we can provide double-glazing for all types of windows, such as casement, sash, tilt and turn, bay and bow, and French windows. Our uPVC frames are the most affordable and low-maintenance options, whereas our aluminium frames are ideal for wider spans. We ensure our aluminium frames are thermally broken to boost your heat efficiency. We also supply timber frames, which are great for adding classic character and charm to your property.

In most homes, you don't need planning permission to swap out old units for double glazing. However, bay windows and upper-floor side windows are often classed as extensions, which you will need to obtain planning permission for. Double glazing in conservation areas or listed buildings also needs planning permission.

Most double-glazed units last for around 2 to 3 decades on average. uPVC units typically last 20 to 30 years, aluminium with thermal breaks often lasts 30-40+ years, and well-maintained timber can last up to 60 years. However, the weak link with double-glazed units is the IGU perimeter seal, which may wear out after 10 to 20 years and will need to be replaced accordingly.

You can wash the panes with warm, soapy water and a microfibre cloth once a month to keep your windows clean and scuff-free. Never use solvents, bleach, abrasives or pressure washers since they can damage the panes and cause them to crack. Be sure to keep the weep holes clean and keep the trickle vents open to limit the risk of condensation forming.

For the frame's mechanics, you can spray the hinges and locks with a silicone spray twice a year to keep them lubricated. uPVC frames need to be washed gently; aluminium frames can benefit from rinsing with salt, and timber frames should be re-painted or re-sealed once a year.