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Secondary Glazing: The Secret to a Warmer, Quieter Home This Winter

December 22, 2025 Steve Sherbourne

As the cold of winter sets in, January often brings the unwelcome shock of high energy bills. If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to improve your home’s insulation, reduce heating costs, and enjoy a quieter environment, secondary glazing systems could be the solution you’ve been searching for. At Windrush Doors and Windows, our specialist glazing services help homeowners make their properties more comfortable and energy-efficient, without breaking the bank.

What is Secondary Glazing?

Secondary glazing involves adding an extra layer of glass or acrylic inside your existing window frame. Unlike full window replacement, secondary glazing is minimally invasive, more affordable, and highly effective at improving thermal insulation.

Benefits include:

  • Enhanced insulation: Keeps heat in during winter and prevents drafts.
  • Reduced noise: Ideal for homes near busy roads or schools.
  • Lower energy bills: Improved insulation reduces the need for constant heating.
  • Preservation of original windows: Perfect for period properties or listed buildings where full replacement isn’t possible.

Why Choose Specialist Glazing?

Installing secondary glazing systems requires precision to ensure a perfect seal and maximum efficiency. Our team at Windrush Doors and Windows are specialist glazing professionals, trained to fit all types of secondary glazing, including:

  • Sliding or hinged panels for easy cleaning and access
  • Acoustic panels for maximum noise reduction
  • Custom solutions for unusual window sizes or shapes

With the right installation, secondary glazing can significantly reduce heat loss, often cutting energy bills by up to 25% in older properties.

Tips to Keep Your Home Warm in a Cost-Effective Way

While secondary glazing is a long-term solution, there are simple, economical tricks you can use alongside it to stay warm this winter:

  1. Use draft excluders
    Fit draft stoppers to doors and windows to prevent cold air from sneaking in, especially around old frames.
  2. Seal gaps and cracks
    Inspect window and door frames for small gaps. Silicone or foam sealants are cheap, quick, and highly effective.
  3. Heavy curtains and thermal blinds
    Thick curtains trap heat, while thermal blinds offer additional insulation without blocking natural light.
  4. Rugs and carpets
    Bare floors can make rooms feel colder. Adding rugs helps retain warmth and makes your home cozier.
  5. Smart heating strategies
    Lower your thermostat slightly but use timers or smart controls to heat rooms only when needed. Even 1–2°C difference can save money without compromising comfort.
  6. Reflective radiator panels
    Installing reflective panels behind radiators ensures more heat is directed into the room rather than escaping through walls.

Make Your Home Warmer, Quieter, and More Efficient

Investing in secondary glazing systems is one of the most cost-effective ways to tackle winter cold, reduce noise, and lower energy bills, especially in older properties with single-glazed windows. Combined with simple home insulation tricks, it’s possible to enjoy a warmer, more comfortable home without spending a fortune on heating.

At Windrush Doors and Windows, our specialist glazing team can assess your property, recommend the right secondary glazing solution, and install it to the highest standard, ensuring your home is ready to face the winter chill.

Contact us today to discuss your secondary glazing options and start saving on energy bills while enjoying a quieter, cosier home.

This June Windrush installed 39 Pvcu windows to our student accommodation block at Rewley Abbey Court. The work required them to install the windows while residents were in occupation, some with young children. Windrush carried out a full risk and method statement and appraisal to carry out the works in a safe manner with multi-occupation to consider. Full scaffolding and access booms were used with everything being alarmed and fenced off with appropriate signage in place. The Windrush team involved had all the necessary accreditation holding CSCS cards, asbestos awareness trained, CRB checked etc. The windows were as per our requested specification with Windrush being the most competitive out of the competition. The College are very pleased with all aspects of the work carried out and will be using Windrush on our future projects.

Steve Williams, Buildings and Estates

Green Templeton College, Oxford

Windrush have installed new pvcu patio doors in the residents homes on site. The window installers being friendly and polite and having a nice demeanour and getting on well with the residents. The work was carried out in a professional manor with their work being clean and tidy all with an insurance baked guarantee. I would have no hesitation in recommending them to others.

Alex Jordan, Site Manager

Swinbrook Court, Langdale Gate, retirement and sheltered housing, Witney, Oxon

I would just like to say that I was very impressed by the two young men who came to do the windows yesterday, they were very efficient, had impeccable manners and they cleared up after themselves which was a joy.

Windrush serviced two Velux windows and re-glazed with new sealed units, re-glazed a bedroom window with three sealed units, and re-glazed a conservatory upgrading sealed units to “Low E Argon” gas and thermal bar

Emma Sadler

Yew Tree Farm, Abingdon Road

During the School holidays the Windrush team carried out window adaption works for the School. Windrush installed remote window winding equipment to our high level windows that have been a health and safety issue with pupils and staff standing on chairs to open. I can recommend Windrush for their professional approach, competitive pricing and ability to accommodate our requirements during a busy time with many other trades on site. They were willing to change their work schedule to accommodate changing circumstances on site.

Neil Baker, Estates Manager

St Helen & St Katherine School, Abingdon, Oxon

Windrush recently attended our Academy and replaced damaged window hinges and handles with great success. The Windrush Team who carried the work out were very professional with the work being carried out during normal School hours. The Health and Safety aspect being covered with the adoption of measures from their risk assessment and method statement being carried out.

Steve Bryan, Estates Team

The Oxford Academy, Sandy Lane, Oxford

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"The ongoing repeat business we receive is testament to our hard work and dedication in providing our home and business customers with the best possible window and door solutions, tailored to meet their exact needs. No two jobs are the same and we treat all our customers as valued individuals."
Steve Sherbourne, Managing Director

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