FAQs

No, Retrofit will always remove your existing glass and recycle it. New insulating double glazed glass units will be made to measure and installed into your existing window frames.

The use of Low Emissivity (Low E) Glass and argon gas increases the thermal performance (insulation) of your windows. An increase in thermal performance contributes to a more consistent temperature in your home throughout the year, retaining more heat in winter. Low E coatings can also help reduce solar heat gain (overheating) in summer.

Our installation lead times vary with season and demand. Typically we will be on site within four to eight weeks of receiving your deposit. Your Retrofit sales consultant will be able to inform you of the expected lead-time for your particular quote.

Our installation lead times vary with season and demand. Typically we will be on site within four to eight weeks of receiving your deposit. Your Retrofit sales consultant will be able to inform you of this at the time.

Yes, in most cases we can remove an opening sash and replace with a fixed panel and vice versa. We can also remove the transoms and mullions (horizontal and vertical aluminium bars) to enable full height or width glass to be fitted leaving you with a less obstructed view. Upon assessment of your home, your Retrofit sales consultant will be able to advise you of your options.

Yes it can help with sound reduction. By removing your single glass and replacing with standard double glazed units, you will notice a reduced amount of perceived noise into your home through the windows. Because there are now two pieces of glass sealed with an air (or argon) space between them, sound transmission into your home is reduced. We can also engineer a higher performance unit to deal specifically with noise while still offering all the increased comfort levels of standard double glazing. However noise will also enter through gaps in the frames and building envelope, and in some cases advice from an acoustic consultant is wise.

Yes it will, but the amount depends on the glass type selected. If a reduction in fading of furniture and furnishings is a priority, we can offer a unit that will not only reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, it will also reduce the harmful UV rays and visible light that causes fading.

Retrofit double glazing can help reduce the amount of condensation forming on the inside of your windows; however an assessment of your home by a Retrofit sales consultant will better confirm this (poorly insulated houses can still have condensation problems). Every home has different conditions - factors that influence condensation include outside/inside temperature, internal relative humidity, other building insulation (ceiling, wall, window and floor), ventilation and heating levels, etc.

No, the majority of the time we will be able to fit double glazing into your existing frames.

It is a very difficult process to offer an approximate price before assessing the home. When we assess the home, we are looking for several different variables that will achieve the desired results in your home and, in turn, contribute to the cost of the retrofit installation.

These variables include:

• The age and condition of your existing joinery

• Compatibility of your existing joinery with new double glazed units.

• The volume of glass in the home.

• Double glazing makeup requirements to comply with the current Building Code, and achieve the desired performance results.

• Accessibility of your site / current windows.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a "one solution fits all" as every home has different sized windows, amounts of safety glass required and complexities around access to the glazing area. All of these factors influence the price. We also like to view the homes we are pricing as most homes will benefit greatly from double glazing, but some will require additional insulation before double glazing will have the desired effect. For this reason, we prefer to identify and assess the needs of the homeowner before suggesting a solution.

No. There is no way to be sure that the existing glass in your home will maintain its integrity and durability. Because our IGU's are covered by a 10 year warranty, we will custom build a unit to suit your existing frame. That way, we know the complete life history of the glass used and can be confident that the units will not fail.

Aluminium retrofit jobs only

• With your aluminium retrofit jobs your new sashs will come with new handles.

• These handles are black double tongue or wedgeless handles, unless otherwise specified and agreed upon.

• If you would like colour matched handles and in other styles this will be an additional cost to you.

Timber retrofit jobs only

• Your existing handles and hardware can be reused unless a replacement is required, which you will be notified of.  

Stays

• There are two options - A restrictor/safety stay, or a security stay.

• Please make sure you discuss your requirements with your Retrofit consultants as stays alone do not secure or protect your house against theft or break-ins.

• The primary purpose of a stay within your home is, to prevent a child from opening and falling out of a window from the second story (or higher).

• If you want to prevent theft or break-ins the best form of defence is to ensure all windows and doors are closed and locked when you are not home.