Can I remove and reuse the same window?

One Answer

1. Nigel Griffiths says:

   19th January 2024 at 4:59 pm

   Hi Gwen,

   If the window is single-glazed, then go ahead and get a new window; if the window is very large it might represent a substantial heat loss.

   I presume it’s double glazed already; in theory there should be no need to test in situ as centre-pane U-values of double (and triple) glazing are well known. Modern regulations also take into account solar gains, as well as the heat losses through the frame to arrive at a more complete picture of the thermal efficiency of a window.

   By careful measurement, you maybe able to work out the thickness of the glazing and the gap between the panes but you may not know whether it’s air-filled or Argon-filled (and, if the latter, whether the Argon is still there!), and what (if any) reflective coatings have been applied to the glass (though there is a way to test for their presence). U-values are readily available for different build-ups, which take into account an estimate for the frame size etc.

   Perhaps more importantly, we ought to reuse what we can. If the window only just fails to meet current Building Regs, then the embodied energy of making a new window would vastly exceed whatever might be saved in operational energy for the life of the window.

   We also consume more of the world’s resources and create a wasted asset, ie throwing away something which was working perfectly well before the end of its natural life. The evaluation of buildings in terms of operational energy and carbon alone is an industrially-sponsored approach designed to sell more stuff, and we all ought to be consuming less. Good luck making that argument to the Building Inspector – I’ll back you up if you need!

   Nigel Griffiths (Build It’s sustainability expert)

   Log in to Reply