Can wooden windows be double glazed?

Yes, it is possible and more importantly, it is common practice to double glaze wooden windows. Any double glazing that is used inside plastic or aluminum windows is also used in wooden windows. For decades wooden windows have been double glazed and triple glazed. In this blog post I will share more information about double glazing windows.

As an experienced joinery firm it was a strange question to be asked by a client, “Do I have double glazed timber windows?”. But if a customer has asked, I’m sure others have assumed it’s not possible and neglected to consider wooden windows. It’s time to dispel the myth that if you want double glazing, you need plastic windows.

What types of double glazing do we use?

The most common double glazed unit we use is 24mm thick, just shy of an inch. This type of double glazing is installed in the window shown above. Typically this consists of a heated edge spacer bar, argon gas inside the unit void and an energy saving coating such as Planitherm Total Plus. The hot edge spacer is an improvement over the metal spacers used in older double glazing. You will be able to recognize older and less efficient double glazing because of its shiny metallic appearance. The modern style has a nice matte finish and helps reduce heat loss around the edge of the double glazing.

We also use the slim double glazed units pictured below. This is a unique double glazed unit for timber windows which has a much smaller spacer bar than the usual units we use. These units are typically only 12mm thick. These units also have a warm edge spacer bar, a gas filling of the blank which is often krypton and an energy saving coating. They are used in heritage settings where thin solid glazing bars are required.

There is also a Pilkington Spacia product that can be used in similar situations as thin units. These are very unique units that can play an interesting role for use in wooden windows. We have a sample unit here in our Devon workshop and would welcome any potential customer to arrange an appointment to view and discuss the potential of these units on offer. This Pilkington video will show you a great rendition of the mirror, though I think you need to look at it up close to make an informed choice.

There is a fourth option that we are in early discussions with a supplier about but don’t feel comfortable discussing yet.

Can double glazed units be replaced?

Double glazed units can be replaced. Often it is not necessary to replace the entire window or joinery because a double glazed unit is broken. In fact, there’s plenty of evidence that wood windows can last a century or more, so don’t panic because one unit has gone foggy. This is a simple thing to do. One side of the framing that supports the glass has a beading that can be removed so that a defective unit can be removed and a new unit installed. This can be done on a DIY basis but we recommend a suitable glazing contractor as your best option. If you are in the North Devon area we can recommend an excellent glazing contractor.

How long do wooden double glazed windows last?

A window’s wooden frame, with proper care, can last a lifetime. Double glazing will typically last an average of 20 years. We are moving towards a method of glazing that will ensure the best possible lifespan of a double glazed unit.