Do you want to turn to the renovation of double-glazed windows for your home? An ingenious solution for saving energy and increasing comfort! Our experts will guide you step by step towards the realization of your project.
Renovation of double-glazed windows: what are the possibilities?
The renovation of double-glazed windows consists of replacing a single-glazed window with joinery with double glazing. This type of renovation makes it possible to provide better thermal and sound insulation to a dwelling and thus to achieve energy savings while being much less disturbed by outside noise.
Currently, the standard double glazing is said to be 4/16/4. This means that the two panes of glass are 4mm thick and the space between them is 16mm. Contrary to popular belief, this space is not empty; it contains air, or most often a gas, argon, which contributes to sound and thermal insulation of the glazing.
There are several possibilities for renovating double-glazed windows: installing overglazing, replacing the window with a new one or even installing double glazing.
Installation of overglazing
Overglazing is a simple technique that consists of adding a glazed part to the existing glazing, which allows you to switch from single to double glazing without any real work. However, this practice is only possible on wooden windows. Fast and inexpensive, it nevertheless remains the least effective technique in terms of insulation. In addition, overglazing requires more maintenance than other devices due to the unsightly whitish veil that forms between the panes over time.
For the installation of an overglazing, count on average 100 euros to 180 euros, the material and the installation included.
Replacing the window with a new one
Pure and simple replacement of an old window model with a more efficient one is the most obvious solution. To gain not only in glazing, but also in insulation and comfort, you can opt for brand new joinery in PVC, aluminum or wood. If you don’t want to bother with the maintenance of your windows every year, PVC and aluminum are the most recommended materials; the new models even know how to imitate wood for fans of naturalness and authenticity.
However, it is unfortunately frequent to observe losses of opening dimension. You should know that the new window is placed where the old one was and is therefore fixed on the previous joinery. To avoid poor workmanship and limit heat loss, it is recommended that you have your new windows installed by a competent and qualified carpenter, and carefully inspect the site.
To replace a window with a new, more efficient one, count on average between 70 euros and 1,200 euros, including material and installation costs.
Installation of double glazing in renovation
Only a qualified and competent carpenter will be able to carry out this type of service, and only on the condition that your joinery is sound and in good condition. Indeed, your carpentry must be able to support the installation of new glazing.
Be aware, however, that the aesthetics of your window can be compromised by this type of device. Indeed, it is common for the glazing to be slightly too large and for it to protrude from the rabbet.
For the installation of double glazing in renovation, count between 350 euros and 600 euros on average, equipment and installation included.
The different types of glazing
There are several types of glazing, from the simplest and classic to the most advanced.
- Double glazing 4 / 16 / 4: this is the classic type of double glazing installed in most homes. It combines two 4 mm thick glass plates with a 16 mm thick intermediate space filled with air or argon gas.
- Double glazing 4 / 20 / 4: this form of glazing is more recent. It is not systematically recommended nor more effective; its creation responds more to the democratization of thicker glazing intended for anti-burglary security. There are now many such products on the market.
- Anti-burglary glass: this type of glazing is very resistant and therefore acts as a real latecomer in the event of a break-in attempt. It is generally recommended for all glazed openings which cannot be protected by a shutter or a grid.
- Safety glass: this type of glazing has no burglar-proof features; it is a glazing which limits the risk of injury in the event of breakage. Indeed, if the glass is broken, it will split into large pieces instead of bursting and scattering into smaller, more dangerous fragments.
How to choose your new windows? Advice from our experts!
Faced with the many possibilities available to you, it is not always easy to make a choice. Our experts provide you with all their advice to better guide you towards the solution that suits you.
Tip n°1: the technical characteristics of the glazing
There are several criteria:
- Uw: this is the thermal transmission coefficient of the entire window, ie the joinery and the glazing. The lower the Uw, the more the window is insulating. In other words, a window with a Uw of 1.1 will perform very well in terms of insulation; a window with a Uw of 1.3 will perform well, etc.
- Sw: this is the solar factor. The greater the solar contribution, the less it is necessary to heat in cold periods and the more it is recommended to close the shutters in hot periods. The Sw evolves between 0 and 1. Ideally, a good window cannot display an Sw lower than 0.3 and includes an excellent solar contribution from 0.6.
- AEV:
- The A refers to the level of airtightness of the glazing. A4 is the most efficient in terms of sealing. It is not recommended to choose a model lower than A3.
- The E refers to the resistance of the glazing to water, in other words rain. The classification of the glazing evolves from mediocre (E1A) to excellent (E9A).
- The V refers to the level of wind resistance of the glazing. If you live by the sea or in the south of France, opt for very resistant glazing, you will find more comfort there. The rating ranges from poor (1) to excellent (5) and from A to C.
Tip #2: be careful! vigilance! vigilance!
The renovation of double-glazed windows is a project that requires reflection and preparation. Here are the tips from our experts in the field:
- Replace your windows in winter: avoid the summer, because in the event of poor workmanship, you will no longer have the possibility of acting. By changing your windows in winter, you will feel more any heat loss and the passage of cold air that infiltrates the home, synonymous with poor workmanship. Similarly, pay the bill only after making sure that the new window is perfectly sealed. Do not be rushed by the craftsman, you have a legal period of several days to pay the balance of the invoice after the completion of the work.
- Install a VMC: if your home is not equipped with a VMC, you will need to install one. Indeed, your home will be much better insulated after the installation of your new windows and the VMC will allow the air to circulate better and thus to evacuate the natural humidity so as not to allow time for mold to form.
- Consider the acoustics: thermal insulation is not the only one that matters. If you live in a busy street, near a road or a busy site, be sure to install high-performance glazing in terms of sound insulation.
Renovation of double-glazed windows: what price?
The price of double-glazed window renovation can vary greatly depending on the glazing formula chosen, the type of carpentry and the prices charged by the service provider responsible for the installation.
- A standard double glazing model can cost between 55 euros and 120 euros per m². The thicker the glass, the higher the price.
- A glazing model benefiting from reinforced sound insulation can be invoiced between 140 euros and 200 euros per m².
- Burglar-resistant glazing will cost you between 100 euros and 250 euros per m².
- Finally, for a luxurious heated model, count between 800 euros and 1,000 euros per m².
If the investment is substantial, you will quickly notice an improvement in your comfort and a reduction in your consumption – and therefore your bill – of energy. Indeed, between 5 and 30% of heat loss occurs through windows!
Finally, unfortunately, you should know that it is no longer possible to take advantage of the tax credit for the replacement of windows since July 1, 2018.