Buyer guides
Glass and glazing guides
Plain-English guides to glass types, regulations, costs and choosing a glazier, with the official sources we checked.
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How much does a replacement double glazed unit cost?
The cost of replacing a double glazed sealed unit depends mainly on its size, the glass specified, whether safety glass is required, how easy the window is to reach...
Read the guideMisted double glazing: replace the unit or the whole window?
Misting between the panes means the seal around a double glazed unit has failed and moist air has got into the cavity, so it cannot be wiped away from either side. If...
Read the guideBroken window or glass door: what to do first
When a window or glass door breaks, deal with safety first: keep people and pets away, protect your hands and feet, and remove only loose glass you can reach safely....
Read the guideToughened vs laminated glass: which safety glass do you need?
Toughened glass is heat treated so that it is much stronger than ordinary glass and breaks into small, blunt pieces. Laminated glass bonds layers of glass to a...
Read the guideSafety glazing rules for doors, side panels and low-level glass
Safety glazing is glass that either breaks safely, resists impact or is protected by a screen, and building regulations require it where people are likely to walk or...
Read the guideBuilding regulations for replacement windows and doors
Replacing a complete window or external door, including its frame, is controlled by building regulations in every UK nation. The new window must meet standards for...
Read the guideuPVC vs aluminium windows: an honest comparison
uPVC and aluminium windows can both meet current UK energy standards, so the choice is mainly about appearance, budget and the property. Aluminium frames are...
Read the guideBifold vs sliding doors: which suits your home?
Bifold doors fold into a stack so almost the whole opening can be cleared, which suits homes that want to join the room to the garden. Sliding doors move along a...
Read the guideWindow energy ratings, U-values and g-values explained
A window's U-value measures how easily heat passes through it, and lower is better. A Window Energy Rating, from A++ to E, combines heat loss, solar gain and air...
Read the guideCondensation on windows: inside, between panes, outside
Condensation forms when moist air meets glass colder than the air's dew point. On the inside it usually means humidity is high and ventilation is low. Between the...
Read the guideSash windows: repair, draught-proof or replace?
Most sash windows that rattle, stick or leak draughts can be repaired, re-corded and draught-proofed rather than replaced. Replacement makes sense when the timber is...
Read the guideSecondary glazing: how it works and when to use it
Secondary glazing is a separate, slim glazed frame fitted on the room side of an existing window, creating an insulating air gap without altering the original. It...
Read the guideGlass balustrade regulations: heights, loads and glass
A glass balustrade is guarding, so building regulations set its height, the loads it must resist and how it behaves if a pane breaks. In England, Approved Document K...
Read the guideGlass thickness guide: what thickness for which job?
Glass thickness depends on the size of the pane, how it is supported, the load it carries and the safety rules for its location. Sealed units in windows usually use...
Read the guideShopfront glazing guide: glass, access, planning, security
Shopfront glass has to be safe if someone walks into it, secure enough for the business and its insurer, and part of an entrance that disabled customers can use....
Read the guideHow to choose and check a glazier
Choose a glazier who surveys the job, gives a detailed written quote, explains how the work will meet building regulations and can show current insurance. Under UK...
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