Window Advice Centre
  • Home
  • Our Service
      • Step 1

      • Survey and Advice
      • Step 2

      • Tender Presentation
      • Step 3

      • Ensuring Satisfaction
      • Step 4

      • 10 Year Protection Peace of Mind
  • Double Glazing
      • Is All Double Glazing The Same?
      • Benefits of our Service
      • Thermal Performance
      • Best Double Glazed Windows
      • Double Glazing Quotes
      • Double Glazing Reviews
      • Planning and Building Regulations
      • Sash and Case Windows
      • UPVC Windows
      • Replacement Windows
      • Triple Glazed Windows
      • Secondary Glazing
      • Doors
      • Security
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
    • News
    • Glasgow
    • Edinburgh
    • Dundee
    • Lanarkshire
    • Stirling
    • Fife
    • Perth
    • Ayrshire
  • How We Save You Money
Select Page
  • Home
  • Our Service
      • Step 1

      • Survey and Advice
      • Step 2

      • Tender Presentation
      • Step 3

      • Ensuring Satisfaction
      • Step 4

      • 10 Year Protection Peace of Mind
  • Double Glazing
      • Is All Double Glazing The Same?
      • Benefits of our Service
      • Thermal Performance
      • Best Double Glazed Windows
      • Double Glazing Quotes
      • Double Glazing Reviews
      • Planning and Building Regulations
      • Sash and Case Windows
      • UPVC Windows
      • Replacement Windows
      • Triple Glazed Windows
      • Secondary Glazing
      • Doors
      • Security
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
    • News
    • Glasgow
    • Edinburgh
    • Dundee
    • Lanarkshire
    • Stirling
    • Fife
    • Perth
    • Ayrshire
  • How We Save You Money
Glasgow 0141 332 7878
Edinburgh 0131 225 7999
Dundee 01382 200345
Perth 01738 313032

Is All Double Glazing The Same?

Is all Double Glazing the same? Absolutely not.

All replacement windows and doors vary significantly in their lifespan, their ability to keep in heat, their ability to keep out high winds and driving rain and their ability to keep out intruders.

If all double glazing was the same, cost would be the only issue to consider, but this is far from the case. Buying replacement windows and doors based on cost alone will seldom result in getting the best replacement windows or double glazing for your needs, or the best value for money over the lifespan of your installation.

Which is the best value for money?

A householder gets two quotes for replacement double glazing direct from two local double glazing contractors. Both sets of replacement windows look the same but one quote is £200 more than the other.

The lower quote uses cheaper materials which will start to present problems within 5 years.

The more expensive quote uses more energy efficient materials that could save an extra £50 a year and have a 20 year lifespan.

Which is the best value for money?

Matching the right replacement window products to your specific needs is essential.

Compare the performance requirements for an exposed third floor window with that of a sheltered ground floor window where security might be a concern. The appropriate replacement window product for the third floor would be one specifically designed to have a high exposure rating capable of keeping out high winds and driving rain where as the sheltered ground floor window requires a replacement window product designed to keep out intruders. Fitting the wrong replacement windows for the job would be pointless and a waste of money.

Matching the right replacement window products to your specific needs is essential. Your Window Advice Centre Consultant will first help you source the replacement window products that match your needs and then source the most cost effective double glazing contractor able to to carry out your installation to ensure that you do get the best value for money.

Click Here to Book a FREE No-obligation Survey

How Big Are The Differences?

Thermal Performance

Average heat loss through replacement windows can range from 50 watts per square meter to as little as 13 watts per square meter. For a three bed house, this can amount to a huge difference in annual energy use. To maintain a constant comfortable room temperature of 21 centigrade across the year, the difference could be 11,400 KW hours compared to 3,150 KW hours per annum. In financial terms, this could be a difference of over £500 a year.

Lifespan

In contrast to correctly fabricated replacement windows or doors which use quality materials and could last more than 30 years, some replacement windows and doors can present major problems within 5 years. The quality of the material from which replacement window and doors and their component parts are fabricated and the way they are assembled, will directly affect the windows or doors lifespan. Some PVCu windows are more prone to ultraviolet degradation than others, making the replacement window frames discolour and become brittle in the process. Some combinations of metal components result in sacrificial corrosion and rapid rusting. Some seals are more prone to compression sickness that can result in draughts. Some replacement windows with inadequate internal reinforcement will sag and deflect over time resulting in draughts and leaks. The way in which the double glazing units are installed is also critical. Incorrectly installed, a double glazed unit that could have had a 20 year lifespan could fail in less than 5 years.

Weather Resistance

Windows are tested to measure their ability to resist air infiltration, water penetration and deformation under wind loading. Some replacement windows will only be able to resist low levels of wind pressure before they leak, whilst others are able to resist the equivalent of a gale. The three broad categories for weather resistance for replacement windows are Sheltered, Moderate and Severe exposure rated. Some replacement windows that are severe exposure rated can resist four times the wind loading of some sheltered rated windows.

Security

Replacement Windows and Doors can be subjected to vigorous testing to assess how resistant they are to forced entry. At best, they will be a total barrier, resistant to the greatest force any attacker could bring to bear. At worst, they will offer virtually no resistance at all. Some replacement windows and doors can be deglazed from the outside without difficulty. Some multi-point locking systems can easily be manipulated from the outside. Some door lock barrels can be snapped. Some door panels can easily be driven out of the door frames.

Suitability

Architects and other professionals with responsibility for selecting windows and doors, on a regular basis, make their selection based upon information from independent testing laboratories where the windows energy rating (WER), weather resistance classification, durability and security are tested using standardised methods of assessment and testing. This information allows the Architect to ensure that the windows and doors will be suitable for purpose.

Window Advice Centre’s Independent, Impartial Service

Now that we’ve highlighted the many variations in replacement windows and doors, and answered the question ‘Is All Double Glazing The Same?‘, it is clear just how much Window Advice Centre can help consumers find the best double glazing contractors in their local area, offering renowned quality and high levels of customer service to each and every client., Our service is completely impartial. We will never recommend a sub-standard supplier. All our partnered contractors have been vigorously vetted and approved. Thanks to our unique competitive tendering process, our local suppliers are encouraged to offer the best prices for double glazing, meaning our customers receive first class service at a price that suits their needs and budget. 

Whether you need double glazing in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth, Stirling, Fife, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire or elsewhere throughout Central Scotland call Window Advice Centre today on 0141 332 7878. For a free, no-obligation quote, complete our online survey form and a member of our friendly, professional team will be in touch to arrange a consultation. We always endeavour to provide our clients with as much information as possible, so please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. We will be more than happy to help answer your queries.

Click Here to Book a FREE No-obligation Survey

How Our Process Works

Window Advice Centre consultant discussing double glazing requirements with homeowners during free property survey

Step 1

SURVEY & ADVICE

From an Impartial Double Glazing Expert

Find out more about Step 1: Survey and Advice
Consultant discussing double glazing benefits with consumers during free property survey

Step 2

TENDER PRESENTATION

1 survey – up to 10 double glazing contractors quotes

Find out more about Step 2: Tender Presentation
Thermal image of double glazing installation showing energy efficiency

Step 3

ENSURING SATISFACTION

Detailed Close Inspection Prior to Payment

Find out more about Step 3: Ensuring Satisfaction
10 year insurance backed guarantee for double glazing installation

STEP 4

10 YEAR PROTECTION

10 year insurance backed guarantees

Find out more about Step 4: Ten Year Protection
Glasgow 0141 332 7878
Edinburgh 0131 225 7999
Dundee 01382 200345
Perth 01738 313032
Window Advice Centre impartial advice for quality, economy and peace of mind, established 1981

Our Process

  • Survey and Advice
  • Tender Presentation
  • Ensuring Satisfaction
  • 10 Year Protection Peace of Mind

Company

  • Areas We Cover
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy / Cookies
  • Request Personal Data

Registered Address

Window Advice Centre Limited
160 West George St,
Glasgow
G2 2HG

VAT number: 383 0864 38

Registered as a limited company in Scotland under company number: SC109032.

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • linkedin

Copyright © 2025 Window Advice Centre•Proudly built by Digital NRG Ltd.

How We Save You Money

We save you money by using competitive tendering to identify the least expensive approved contractors itemised costs excluding their normal sales commissions and advertising spend, regularly saving consumers not just hundreds but sometimes thousands of pounds.

Fill in the form below to get your FREE no obligation Survey. One of our local consultants will telephone you to arrange a convenient time to attend to discuss your wishes in detail and to advise you on the most cost effective approach to achieving the outcomes that you want.

    We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services.
    Accept
    Change Settings
    Cookie Box Settings
    Cookie Box Settings

    Privacy settings

    Decide which cookies you want to allow.

    You can change these settings at any time. However, this can result in some functions no longer being available. For information on deleting the cookies, please consult your browser’s help function.

    Learn more about the cookies we use.

    With the slider, you can enable or disable different types of cookies:

    • Block all
    • Essential
    • Functionality
    • Analytics
    • Advertising

    This website will:

    • Essential: Remember your cookie permission setting
    • Essential: Allow session cookies
    • Essential: Gather information you input into a contact forms, newsletter and other forms across all pages
    • Essential: Keep track of what you input in a shopping cart
    • Essential: Authenticate that you are logged into your user account
    • Essential: Remember language version you selected

    This website won't:

    • Remember your login details
    • Functionality: Remember social media settings
    • Functionality: Remember selected region and country
    • Analytics: Keep track of your visited pages and interaction taken
    • Analytics: Keep track about your location and region based on your IP number
    • Analytics: Keep track of the time spent on each page
    • Analytics: Increase the data quality of the statistics functions
    • Advertising: Tailor information and advertising to your interests based on e.g. the content you have visited before. (Currently we do not use targeting or targeting cookies.
    • Advertising: Gather personally identifiable information such as name and location

    This website will:

    • Essential: Remember your cookie permission setting
    • Essential: Allow session cookies
    • Essential: Gather information you input into a contact forms, newsletter and other forms across all pages
    • Essential: Keep track of what you input in a shopping cart
    • Essential: Authenticate that you are logged into your user account
    • Essential: Remember language version you selected
    • Functionality: Remember social media settings
    • Functionality: Remember selected region and country

    This website won't:

    • Remember your login details
    • Analytics: Keep track of your visited pages and interaction taken
    • Analytics: Keep track about your location and region based on your IP number
    • Analytics: Keep track of the time spent on each page
    • Analytics: Increase the data quality of the statistics functions
    • Advertising: Tailor information and advertising to your interests based on e.g. the content you have visited before. (Currently we do not use targeting or targeting cookies.
    • Advertising: Gather personally identifiable information such as name and location

    This website will:

    • Essential: Remember your cookie permission setting
    • Essential: Allow session cookies
    • Essential: Gather information you input into a contact forms, newsletter and other forms across all pages
    • Essential: Keep track of what you input in a shopping cart
    • Essential: Authenticate that you are logged into your user account
    • Essential: Remember language version you selected
    • Functionality: Remember social media settingsl Functionality: Remember selected region and country
    • Analytics: Keep track of your visited pages and interaction taken
    • Analytics: Keep track about your location and region based on your IP number
    • Analytics: Keep track of the time spent on each page
    • Analytics: Increase the data quality of the statistics functions

    This website won't:

    • Remember your login details
    • Advertising: Use information for tailored advertising with third parties
    • Advertising: Allow you to connect to social sites
    • Advertising: Identify device you are using
    • Advertising: Gather personally identifiable information such as name and location

    This website will:

    • Essential: Remember your cookie permission setting
    • Essential: Allow session cookies
    • Essential: Gather information you input into a contact forms, newsletter and other forms across all pages
    • Essential: Keep track of what you input in a shopping cart
    • Essential: Authenticate that you are logged into your user account
    • Essential: Remember language version you selected
    • Functionality: Remember social media settingsl Functionality: Remember selected region and country
    • Analytics: Keep track of your visited pages and interaction taken
    • Analytics: Keep track about your location and region based on your IP number
    • Analytics: Keep track of the time spent on each page
    • Analytics: Increase the data quality of the statistics functions
    • Advertising: Use information for tailored advertising with third parties
    • Advertising: Allow you to connect to social sitesl Advertising: Identify device you are using
    • Advertising: Gather personally identifiable information such as name and location

    This website won't:

    • Remember your login details
    Save & Close