It's an energy efficiency rating system like the one found on washing machines, fridges etc. A-rated is more efficient than C-rated. I believe C rating is the accepted minimum.

Refer to this page:

www.bfrc.org/consumer/index.aspx

Edited by FP on 20/05/2013 at 16:44

If you want the ultimate in window insulation then go for TRIPLE glazing installed in a 38mm, 40mm or 44mm profile frame.

These will provide you with a U-value between 0.6 and 0.8 depending on the insulating glass type used. This equates to at least a 40% improvement of heat insulation compared with A class double glazing.

Wrong, unless you prefer to live in darkness throughout the year.

Curtains let in the cold especially from below and around the edges.

Triple glazing saves heat loss 24/7. The difference in comfort levels is very very noticable compared to A class double glazing.

Most of the folks where I live never open their windows during the winter, even the trickle vents are closed, how they survive 9 months of the year without opening windows is beyond me.

Many of them are elderly and they simply like to feel warm and can't stand coldness or drafts, anything like cool air flow is a draft to them. They are ripping out double glazing and installing triple glazing, immediately they notice there is no longer a cold/cooler area near the window, every room is warmer. They are using less energy and temperature levels stay more constant, plus they get an improvement in sound insulation, all of which contributes to significant improvements in comfort levels.

Installation cost isn't the main issue for them, comfort is a far higher priority. Also if/when they want to sell the house the triple glazing is a very attractive selling point and adds a premium to the selling price which more than recovers the initial cost outlay of fitting the triple glazing. With everything taken into account, triple glazing is significantly more cost effective than double glazing.

Rubbish.

Most heat goes through the roof, then the walls, only 20% goes through the windows.

If your single glazing is ok just patch it up and save money.

I still have some single glazing; I'd have replaced it long ago, for looks and noise insulation, were it not for the interference of the local Labour Council who want to dictate the style, the glass, the safety.

Sod that, life's too short!

Collos, in 1954 UK houses didn't have cavity wall insulation as standard, these days to do, also in 1954 loft insulation was almost non-existent, it was a few years later that 100mm become the norm for loft insulation and since then standard loft insulation thickness has increased to 270mm.

Our home was built around 11 years ago, it has cavity wall insulation, the roof was pressure tested after being built, it has 16" of loft insulation, it has floor insulation, the main heat loss was the windows, replaced them with state of the art windows and our electricity & gas bills last winter dropped by over 10% (even though prices has been increased significantly) and it was one of the coldest winters for many years and our house was more comfortable and warmer than the previous winter. It is so well insulated we don't need to use any heat at all for most of the year. We have a combi-boiler with 90+% efficiency for both hot water and heating.

How does your home in Germany compare with that spec. ?

Our bungalow is an 80s built, wooden framed double glazed units, useless, let in draughts as well as noise.

Whenever we had spare funds we gradually replaced all with standard UPVC doors and windows from a local established company, the house is silent now and much warmer, as far as i know they are just standard stuff, the price was very reasonable, patio doors made the biggest difference.

Edited by gordonbennet on 31/03/2014 at 14:34

I suspect the answer will vary according to the type of noise. What works for aircraft noise out by Heathrow may not be best solution or Ben's road noise.

Is there anything useful on the website of the big companies, the Glass and Glazing Federation or other trade bodies?

Failing or using that information it's time to talk to a few local firms, can your neighbours reccomend? . Although they did a good job in my last house I'd avoid Everest or similar. They need to learn that pressure sales went out with the ark.

I can't help Ben with any personal experience, but some info on Pilkington's website seems quite interesting. They produce a laminated glass for sound control, but it isn't clear how this is actually deployed - whether as the outside layer in a double-glazing system, or in some other way.

www.pilkington.com/products/bp/bybenefit/noisecont.../

Anglian also offer sound-control glazing, but an experience with them some years ago means I would never, ever recommend them.

However, all this suggests Ben might find a solution if he researches hard enough, but it could well be pretty expensive, I would think. Anything that reeks of "special" usually is.

Collos - there you go again. This was a perfectly helpful and sensible post until the last 12 words, when you felt the need to be rude.

It's like a cow that gives a good pail of milk and then kicks it over. Just STOP insulting people just because you disagree with them.

"When did you suffer one of the coldest winters not in the UK or most parts of Europe it has been one of the mildest on record you really should do some factual research before you pen to paper."

To whom is this directed - particularly "you really should do some factual research before you pen to paper"?

I can't see why it applies to any of the posts immediately above, unless Collos is being even more gratuitous than usual.