Cambridge · Cambridgeshire
Secondary Glazing in Cambridge
Secondary glazing in Cambridge keeps your original windows in place while adding a slim inner window to cut noise, draughts and heat loss.
- CB2
- CB4
- CB1
- Guide from £465
Internal secondary windows for homes and businesses in Cambridge
Secondary glazing can also add security, because an intruder would have to break through two separate windows. Laminated glass and locking catches on the secondary unit add further resistance, which is useful for ground-floor and basement windows in period properties.
Low-level secondary glazing is still glazing, so the safety glazing rules for critical locations apply. In England, Approved Document K treats glass within 800mm of the floor as a critical location, so low-level secondary panes should be toughened or laminated safety glass.
Opening styles include vertical sliders that line up with sash window meeting rails, horizontal sliders for wide openings, hinged casements, lift-out panels for windows that are rarely opened, and fixed panes. The choice depends on how you use the window, cleaning access and fire escape needs.
Slim aluminium frames are designed to sit within the window reveal and line up with the original glazing bars or meeting rails. Matching sightlines keeps the secondary unit discreet from outside and inside, which matters for period homes and conservation areas.
Included as standard
- Removal of packaging and cleaning of new glass
- Made-to-measure slim aluminium frames and glass
- Survey of each window, reveal depth and sightlines
- Written quote fixing the price for the specification
About Cambridge for this job
- Postcodes covered
- CB2, CB4, CB1 and the surrounding area, including St Ives (Cambridgeshire), Newmarket and Ely
- Coast
- Cambridge is well inland, around 66 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Cambridge the midwinter sun reaches about 14° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.5 hours of daylight, rising to about 61° and 16.5 hours in midsummer. Secondary glazing adds an extra layer of glass, which slightly reduces daylight. Low-iron or clear low-E glass keeps light loss to a minimum, while on sunny elevations solar control glass can help reduce overheating in rooms with large windows.
- Access and setting
- In city centres and busy streets, acoustic secondary glazing is a common response to traffic, rail and nightlife noise. Flats, listed buildings and conservation areas often limit external changes, which makes internal secondary glazing a practical option.
- Rules in England
- Approved Document K requires safety glass in critical locations in England: glazing in doors and in side panels within 300 mm of a door, up to 1500 mm above floor level, and any glazing in walls or partitions up to 800 mm above floor level.
Guide prices in Cambridge
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Slider, 900 × 1200 mm | £465 – £595 |
| Slider, 1200 × 1600 mm | £665 – £845 |
| Acoustic glass, 1000 × 1400 mm | £675 – £865 |
Get a guide price for your size
Listed buildings in England need listed building consent for most changes to historic windows or glass, and conservation areas can restrict changes visible from the street. Speak to the council's conservation officer before ordering.
Choosing your secondary glazing
Acoustic laminated glass
Laminated glass with a sound-dampening interlayer, combined with a generous cavity, for properties affected by traffic, rail or aircraft noise.
Vertical sliding
Panels slide up and down, with meeting rails aligned to sash windows so the secondary unit is discreet from inside and outside.
Low-E glass
Coated glass that reflects heat back into the room, improving insulation when the original window is single glazed.
Secondary Glazing in Cambridge: questions
How much noise does secondary glazing block?
Results depend on the size of the gap between the windows, the glass type and thickness, the seals and the original window. A larger cavity and acoustic laminated glass give the strongest improvement. The survey checks reveal depth and noise sources, so the specification can be tailored to the noise you are dealing with.
How do I clean and look after secondary glazing?
Open or remove the panels as designed, then clean the glass with mild soapy water and a soft cloth. Wipe the aluminium frames and runners, and keep tracks free of dust so panels slide smoothly. Check seals and catches occasionally. Avoid abrasive cleaners, which can scratch coated glass.
Will secondary glazing cause condensation?
It can, if the original window is sealed tighter than the secondary unit, because warm, moist room air then gets trapped in the cavity. The secondary unit should be the more airtight of the two, and the original window should not be fully sealed. Opening the secondary panel lets room air into the cavity, so close it again afterwards.
Does secondary glazing need safety glass?
It does in critical locations. In England, glass within 800mm of the floor, glass in doors and glass near doors are critical locations under Approved Document K, and these apply to secondary glazing too. Low-level secondary panes should be toughened or laminated safety glass. The surveyor checks each window during the survey.
Do you cover Cambridge for secondary glazing?
Yes. We can quote for secondary glazing across Cambridge and the surrounding Cambridgeshire area, including postcode districts CB2, CB4 and CB1, and nearby St Ives (Cambridgeshire), Newmarket and Ely. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Get a written quote in Cambridge
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.