If you have sash windows, you can have a matching aluminium sash window installed inside the original window. If the company knows what they are doing and seals the inside window properly you get all the acoustic and thermal benefits of double glazing for a fraction of the cost, and without changing the look of the house from outside. I have done this in both old and not so old houses - the installed cost was around $400 per window 15 years ago and ~$700 for a 1000 x 2000 sash window with 6mm laminate glass about 4 years ago.
The same company installed secondary glazing to the inside of existing wooden frames of some picture windows with laminate glass for way less than ½ the cost of the famous magnetic secondary glazing company. They had to make some timber beading to match the original, but no one ever notices the windows have been altered.
On other windows I have used heat shrink film (know as temporary double glazing) but it's been in place for 5+ years and works well. I have mostly used this behind fly screens where it is protected to a degree.
On sliding doors I have fitted acrylic sheet on the inside within the frame and just held in place with tacks. The result is invisible. The latter two methods cost bugger all and provide pretty much the same thermal benefit as double glazing, but not the acoustic benefits.
If you do your own acrylic sheeting, it needs to be at least 4.5mm and preferably 6mm for stiffness, and you need to allow 2mm clearance for expansion. The suppliers usually cut the sheet for free to your exact size requirements.
Posted Wednesday 25 Mar 2015 @ 6:11:43 am from IP
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