Strabane · County Tyrone
Secondary Glazing in Strabane
Where planning or lease rules limit changes to the outside, secondary glazing in Strabane offers an internal option that can be removed later.
- BT82
- Guide from £465
Secondary glazing listed buildings for homes and businesses in Strabane
Owners of listed buildings should seek listed building consent before installing secondary glazing, as the requirements depend on the building and the council. Secondary glazing is often seen as a minimal, reversible change, but carrying out works that need consent without it is a criminal offence.
Glass for secondary glazing is heavy, so the frames need firm fixings into the reveal or a supporting sub-frame. The surveyor checks that plaster, timber linings and window boards are sound enough to carry the weight, and allows for any packing needed in uneven reveals.
If an existing window is relied on for escape in a fire, the secondary glazing in front of it must open easily and give enough clear opening. The surveyor checks which windows are escape windows, so the opening style and catches do not block a way out.
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.
What's included
- Advice on opening style, glass and fire escape
- Fitting, sealing and checking every opening panel
- Written quote fixing the price for the specification
- Made-to-measure slim aluminium frames and glass
Strabane at a glance
- Postcodes covered
- BT82 and the surrounding area, including Derry/Londonderry, Omagh and Irvinestown
- Coast
- Strabane sits roughly 20 km from the nearest coastline, close enough that exposure on open or high ground is worth considering. Coastal properties often have older windows exposed to wind-driven rain and draughts. Secondary glazing adds a sealed inner layer that reduces draughts and cold, while the original window keeps out the weather and its condition is protected from inside.
- Daylight and sun
- In Strabane the midwinter sun reaches about 12° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 6.9 hours of daylight, rising to about 59° and 17.1 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
- Rural cottages and period homes often have single-glazed timber windows that cannot easily be replaced. Secondary glazing reduces draughts and heat loss in exposed locations, and the surveyor allows for uneven reveals and older plaster when fixing frames.
- Rules in Northern Ireland
- Technical Booklet V covers safety glazing in Northern Ireland, including glass in and around doors and low-level glazing where people could walk into it.
Guide prices in Strabane
| 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
Technical Booklet F1 sets the energy performance that replacement windows, doors and rooflights need to meet in Northern Ireland.
Specification choices
Fixed panel
A non-opening unit for windows never opened, giving the most airtight seal for noise and draught reduction.
Horizontal sliding
Panels slide sideways, suiting wide casement windows and openings where you need regular access for cleaning or ventilation.
Lift-out panel
A lightweight panel that lifts out of its frame, for windows rarely opened, giving a slim and economical secondary unit.
Secondary Glazing in Strabane: questions
Is secondary glazing as good as double glazing?
It depends on the goal. For noise, secondary glazing is often more effective, because the wider gap between the two windows reduces sound better than the narrow cavity of a sealed unit. For heat, a well-sealed secondary unit with low-E glass significantly improves a single-glazed window. It also keeps original windows, which matters in listed buildings.
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.
Is secondary glazing suitable for rented homes and flats?
Yes. Secondary glazing is fitted inside, so it often avoids the external changes that leases, freeholders or planning rules restrict. It can be removed later with limited making good. Leaseholders should still check their lease for any rules on internal alterations, and landlords should check escape routes are not affected.
Can I still open my original windows?
Yes, as long as the secondary glazing has an opening panel in front of the part you need to open. Sliding and hinged panels give access to the original window for ventilation and cleaning. Lift-out and fixed panels suit windows you rarely or never open.
Do you cover Strabane for secondary glazing?
Yes. We can quote for secondary glazing across Strabane and the surrounding County Tyrone area, including postcode districts BT82, and nearby Derry/Londonderry, Omagh and Irvinestown. 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 Strabane
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.