Double or triple glazing across the back for sliders and bi-folds ?

3 years ago

Hi,

Been fantastic forum for renovation project and had another query, below is plan for rear renovation which has 2.5m bi-folds in kitchen area and 4.8m 3 panel slider in dining/lounge area (two panels will slide toward living/TV end). The windows overlook garden which is South West Facing and gets full heat of the sun from lunchtime to evening. We are going for motorised roller blinds on all the windows at the back and wet underfloor heating:

We have been quoted for double glazed units with U value of 1.6. Part of the reason we are doing renovation is to get rid of conservatory that was boiling in summer and freezing in winter although a lot of the heat used to come through the roof of the conservatory.

Been reading a lot about double versus triple glazed and there is a bit of a concern will become like a furnace due to solar gain although quite a big area inside. We can always close the blinds if out and also can open the doors when in. Really not sure whether to go for expense and weight of triple glazed to reduce solar gain, also read triple glazed would increase chance of outdoor condensation although not sure how much of a real issue that is. Believe the U value of the triple glazed is 1.3. Have also read there are coatings that can help but waiting to hear from installer what options are, they are using Smart architectural products (visioglide plus for the sliders link).

What would/have people done in this scenario where a lot of glass which is south/south west facing ?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated,

Lawrence

Comments (3)

Philip S
3 years ago
Go for triple. double glazing should be a thing of the past. Triple glazing should get you closer to a u-value of 0.8 rather than the 1.3 stated, though that's with a reputable company.

south facing with big windows will always be a concern with solar gain, one of the houses we done had to install a/c because it was so bad, even with triple glazing. though as you say blinds can be used!

In the houses we've built in the past 6 years (how long I've been with the company) none of them have been double glazed. the science supports the use of triple glazing and be wary of any window manufacturer that tries to say otherwise.
Lawrence Meakins thanked Philip S
Lawrence Meakins
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks, I think that is what I am leaning towards, triple if I can get it at good price otherwise double and enjoy the extra heat !
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Hello, if you don't want sight lines then I wouldn't have Crittall to be honest (unless you wanted Crittall without the cross bars of course?? as they are super busy and won't give you a clear view of the garden) We opted to go for bi-folds with slimmer sight lines and wider panes so there would be less lines. On your size opening, it would take 3 bi-fold panes which means the central one is just glass. If you had sliding doors then you would likely have 2 panels with the bar being right in the middle (unless you can slide them into pocket doors!) Bi-folds - they even do frame-less bi-folds now or ones with the lines super narrow so I would get prices for those. It also depends on your garden - as you say, because we had the bi-folds leading directly onto a patio area. If you have to step down then the garden will feel quite separate anyway and so you don't benefit from having an open 'room' as you would with a semi flush or flush threshold and bi-folds doors. In that case, Alu french doors with side panels that don't have all the cross bars would likely be the cheapest option for you.
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Neasa
2 years ago
I had my windows re-done 4 years ago with triple-glazing, and the u-value was 1. Have you shopped around, or are you definitely happy with the quote you got for the standard? For the difference in price, I didn't even consider going with double-glazing (I think the price difference was about 5%).

Double or triple glazing across the back for sliders and bi-folds ?

Comments (3)

Philip S

Lawrence Meakins
Original Author

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Double or triple glazing across the back for sliders and bi-folds ?

Comments (3)

Philip S

Lawrence MeakinsOriginal Author

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Neasa

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Lawrence Meakins
Original Author