Author Topic: Experience add a second glazing with acrylic sheeting?  (Read 2568 times)

MrStubble

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 9
Experience add a second glazing with acrylic sheeting?
« on: October 25, 2016, 07:25:19 PM »
I have a set of picture windows in my house from the early 70s that are either single glazed or double glazed with a very tiny air gap between (we're talking 1/16") that could benefit from a second glazing. I was quoted ~ $1k to replace them, but since they don't move I started investigating adding my own second glazing out of plastic.

Turns out using optical quality acrylic for additional glazing is a thing, especially in UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, but somehow not really in the US.  I'm considering making window inserts for my house, similar to http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Double-Glazing/?ALLSTEPS or
http://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-product-design/save-your-windows-and-your-money-indow-window-inserts.html and using rice as a desiccant.

Anyone here have experience doing something like this? How did it turn out?

worms

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 382
Re: Experience add a second glazing with acrylic sheeting?
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2016, 01:00:52 AM »
I have done this on a number of windows and it works really well. My windows are smaller, though, which makes it easier. I just tacked the acrylic up using very small cable clips, meaning to go back and do it properly with magnetic tape, but it works so well as it is that I have never revisited the installed ones and do a couple more windows each year. (...and yes, UK based, in Northern Scotland with 80 year-old single-glazed windows and plenty of weather!).

zolotiyeruki

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5603
  • Location: State: Denial
Re: Experience add a second glazing with acrylic sheeting?
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2016, 09:34:40 AM »
I did something similar a few years back on the outside of one of our front door sidelights, as an experiment.  It seemed to work alright--there was definitely less condensation on the inside of that window than on the other sidelight.

Frugal Lizard

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5583
  • Age: 57
  • Location: Southwest Ontario
  • One foot in front of the other....
Re: Experience add a second glazing with acrylic sheeting?
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2016, 01:02:22 PM »
I read about inserts in Fine Homebuilding magazine and am wondering if these would work: http://www.windowinserts.com/?gclid=CI3xp7uS-c8CFQcFaQodFrcAnQ
We have two really big windows that haven't been replaced yet on our 1970 house. 

bacchi

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7056
Re: Experience add a second glazing with acrylic sheeting?
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2016, 01:31:28 PM »
I read about inserts in Fine Homebuilding magazine and am wondering if these would work: http://www.windowinserts.com/?gclid=CI3xp7uS-c8CFQcFaQodFrcAnQ
We have two really big windows that haven't been replaced yet on our 1970 house.

I bought these for 2 windows and I like them. I would've bought more but they don't work well with inside mount blinds in a 2x4 wall. They'd work better in a 2x6 wall or drapes.

zolotiyeruki

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5603
  • Location: State: Denial
Re: Experience add a second glazing with acrylic sheeting?
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2016, 01:54:14 PM »
I imagine, though, that this kind of project could get expensive quickly.  In our home, most of the windows are 36"x72" or 36"x60", and to get a piece of acrylic that size, you're talking close to $100 at our local hardware store.

worms

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 382
Re: Experience add a second glazing with acrylic sheeting?
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2016, 11:33:58 PM »
I imagine, though, that this kind of project could get expensive quickly.  In our home, most of the windows are 36"x72" or 36"x60", and to get a piece of acrylic that size, you're talking close to $100 at our local hardware store.

Acrylic is much cheaper bought on-line  (and pre-cut to size, so no wastage and less hassle) than in local DIY stores.

zolotiyeruki

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5603
  • Location: State: Denial
Re: Experience add a second glazing with acrylic sheeting?
« Reply #7 on: October 27, 2016, 08:48:13 AM »
I imagine, though, that this kind of project could get expensive quickly.  In our home, most of the windows are 36"x72" or 36"x60", and to get a piece of acrylic that size, you're talking close to $100 at our local hardware store.

Acrylic is much cheaper bought on-line  (and pre-cut to size, so no wastage and less hassle) than in local DIY stores.
Can you link me some good sources?

sokoloff

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1191
Re: Experience add a second glazing with acrylic sheeting?
« Reply #8 on: October 27, 2016, 09:16:24 AM »
We had these for some of our windows in our college residence (turn of the century house in Boston with large, curved windows). The key is getting them to seal reasonably well against the frame so as to provide a dead air space.

They worked OK, but because we had to keep installing and uninstalling them (no air conditioning, so we needed the windows operable in summer) they got worn and the seals degraded over the years, making them less effective over time. In an install-and-never-move case, I think they'd work much better.

worms

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 382
Re: Experience add a second glazing with acrylic sheeting?
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2016, 01:21:50 AM »
I imagine, though, that this kind of project could get expensive quickly.  In our home, most of the windows are 36"x72" or 36"x60", and to get a piece of acrylic that size, you're talking close to $100 at our local hardware store.

Acrylic is much cheaper bought on-line  (and pre-cut to size, so no wastage and less hassle) than in local DIY stores.
Can you link me some good sources?

Sorry, I am in UK, so sources here would probably not be useful to you!

MrStubble

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 9
Re: Experience add a second glazing with acrylic sheeting?
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2016, 07:37:56 PM »
Is there a particular thickness of acrylic that works best? Is ideal thickness a function of size (ie thin sheets aren't stable for widths over 3 feet?) Looking at http://www.tapplastics.com/product/plastics/cut_to_size_plastic/acrylic_sheets_clear/508 there are several thickness options.