energlaze vs triple glazing

OP, I think you need to make sure you are comparing like with like here across the full spectrum of what you are looking at.

I have recently used them for both reglazing and for a new window and I must say we are very happy from start to finish. DG in both cases
The DG reglazing was for big panes [ 7 feet by 5 feet] that the seals had gone in due to basketball impacts and massive permanent condensation on the inside of the unit.

The existing Alu frames are thermally broken and the colour in PVC was impossible to match so we were looking at 4 additional windows so we went with reglaze. Two windows done in a hour.
The price was half of what new DG framed windows would have cost.

They have an interesting way of replacing full windows which does not involve any cutting back of the inner reveals.

I was happy for that technique in the back bedroom but would not have been so in the front down stairs.

RobAMerc wrote: »

I am really looking for a comparison of like with like.
Is energlaze double full new windows worth 20% more than triple glazed full new windows from competitor (both uPVC )?

But you are not comparing like with like and you are not providing enough info.

What I will say is that good double glazing will outperform cheap triple glazing, but good triple glazing will outperform good double glazing.

I have white pvc double glaze windows, they are about 13yrs old, and manufactured by a well know munster based window manufacturer, I am thinking of replacing them with either a triple glaze or energlaze double glaze, I am only interested in replacing the glass and not the frame, The house is timber frame and fully insulated etc, Any feedback would be appreciated, Are all double and triple glaze now filled with a gas to improve insulation?

strandsman wrote: »

ya that's what I want to do, just replace the glass

I think as Bryan has explained it is probably a waste of time and money and it will not make your home any warmer or more energy efficient.

I can't see the benefit of replacing existing double glazing with slightly better double glazing and keeping the frames. There may be a small improvement on efficiency but not justifiable.

chicorytip wrote: »

Would replacing existing double glazing with Energlaze or similar offer better soundproofing from traffic noise etc. ?

No.

Noise coming through the window is a sign that there is air leakage. The most common air leakage path is between the window frame and wall / window board (even the smallest gap / crack at this junction will allow a lot of air through).

For anyone getting windows replaced insist that the frames are air sealed with proper materials (and I don't mean expanding foam).

strandsman wrote: »

why did you only do the front of the house first?

I think the poster may be connected with the company in question so the story is likely to be fabricated

I was thinking of a similar thing i.e. getting teak timber frames, that I like, converted from single to double glaze thus keeping the frames. The existing glass is held in and sealed by putty and 26 years old. All is in good order with no sign of deterioration but just need to keep the window cold out.

I asked a friend I know who is in the business and he said the frames will have to be routed to take the deeper double glazing units which should be A rated ( gas filled ). They will be sealed in with sealing bonding and finished off with timber slips to the front.

All sounded fine to me but then he said it will only last about 5 years as the frames will have been compromised by the routing and any small leakage or condensation will eventually weaken the new double glazed units and likely to corrode underneath and the gas will then leak leaving you with poor double glazing.

gusman1859 wrote: »

Hi

We are considering energlaze to replace single pane teak windows with double glazing. I asked the sales man if we could see the work on another house and he said the company don't do that for privacy reasons. Most company's will show you examples of their work so this made me a little nervous.

Does anyone know where you can see completed windows and did you get the opportunity to see windows before you made your decision?

Any advice appreciated.

Regards
Gus

The more stories I heard about the retro fit of timber frames with double glazing the more I went off the idea. The lifespan of the solution is a lot shorter than getting all new PVC windows. The timber frames will be weakened by the routing job. The run off of condensation will not be as efficient as with new modern windows and will eventually cause internal problems. It will not be easy to do a good seal between the new double glazed units as it was with the single glaze. If the double glaze unit is fitted too tightly it can crack with expansion.

I too had an Energlaze rep. out and asked him for references and also got the customer privacy story.

I got him to price for a retrofit and all new and both were a little expensive. I ended up getting all new windows and doors of same quality, off someone else, as they were pricing for 3 or 4K less.

A neighbour of mine got a double glaze retrofit on teak frames a few years ago but they don't consider it the solution they really want and would prefer new windows. They don't seem to be having any problems so far. The look is not as tidy as new windows.

Hope this helps.

The retrofit job would entail something like in the video expect the finish to be with timber beading rather than putty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ9zQvjaG4k

fatty pang wrote: »

That’s amateur hour stuff with a yearly life-expectancy in single figures for the insulated glazing unit.
Firstly the timber exposed by the routing should have had a suitable timber preservative brushed into it. Secondly, the flat bottom rail is going to be a trap for water. Lastly applying sealant all the way around the unit is going to limit ventilation of the zone between glass and frame and promote capillary attraction of water towards the IGU sealant resulting in an increased potential for ICU seal failure (internal condensation)

Good points!

zulutango wrote: »

For us, we have old timber sash windows (dating from early 1800's). The timber is all dry and in good nick. There was zero chance we were going to replace these with uPVC but we were toying with either getting new timber sash windows or just replacing the glazing.

In the end we opted to go with Energlaze and the job was done a few weeks ago. Pretty happy with what they've done. The guy took the full windows out, stripped them, draft proofed and put them back in. They look very good, and you wouldn't notice (visually) that anything has been done.

We realise that this is not the best way to limit heat loss, but it was the best solution for us given that we wanted to retain the frames for heritage reasons. We haven't had a cold snap yet, but there does seem to be a noticeable difference in comfort levels.

Did they do a putty finish?

elstevio99 wrote: »

We're in a cold snap now! Do you see the benefits of the energlaze windows now?
I'm also in a house with window frames from c. 1840, so looking for options to retain some heat, particularly in the north facing rooms which get very cold. PVC double glazing is a total non-runner as the house is a protected structure

Yep, absolutely. We have them about 18 months now including two winters. The downstairs is very noticeably more comfortable than it ever was before and the boiler isn't cycling on/off as much, and it's also set to a lower temp. Very happy with the windows. The only issue is the cost, but we were able to get a grant.

Caveat emptor.
From the Glass & Glazing Federation -
[HTML][/HTML]http://www.ggf.org.uk/news/insulating_glass_units_standard_and_ce_labelling[HTML][/HTML]