Double Glazing Cost NZ - 5 Factors That Influence Pricing
One question we are frequently asked is, “How much does double glazing cost?”. The answer is, it depends.
In this article, we’ll look at 6 factors that influence pricing, discuss why an on-site consultation is required for pricing, and explain why getting a pricing estimate is not as simple as just inputting some information into an online pricing calculator.
Factors That Influence the Cost of Double Glazing
Installation Service
By ‘installation service’ we mean the method that we use to fit double glazing into your home. This can have a large influence on the cost of double glazing, so it’s important to understand your options. In this section we’ll explain the different options.
reFIT
- Also known as retrofit double glazing
- reFit involves fitting new double glazing units into existing timber or aluminium joinery.
- This is usually a more cost-effective way to install double glazing (particularly with aluminium joinery). However, if the existing joinery is bespoke or non-standard this may not be the case.
reFRAME
- Supply and installation of new, thermally broken aluminium joinery.
- reFRAME Full service involves fully replacing the existing joinery, including flashings and reveals.
- reFRAME Inner service is a hybrid system that involves fitting new aluiminium frame into an existing timber window frame.
Until you’ve spoken with an expert, it can be impossible to know what installation service or combination or services is best for you. Often people believe they need to replace their windows when retrofit may be a better option for them. Similarly, some people may want to retrofit their joinery when it should really be replaced.
With over 15 yeras experience and installation service options for most homes, we can honestly assess the existing joinery and provide guidance on services which will best suit your needs. Pricing can vary dramatically across these services, with reFIT services sometimes being less than half the price of reFRAME Full projects.
Glass Solution, Size and Specification
Once the right installation service/services have been determined, the next consideration is the glass.
Glass Solution - Most people looking to double glaze their homes are focussed on improving heat retention, however, double glazing can provide benefits in many other areas.
There are glass solutions available that can also help to reduce noise, provide shading, improve privacy, reduce UV light and more, with the price varying across the different glass solutions. This is another reason why it’s important to meet with an expert to discuss what options best suit your needs.
Glass size - It probably goes without saying, but the larger the glass, the higher the price.
Glass Specification - There is a large difference in price between safety glass and non-safety glass. As we endeavour to install double glazing in line with the current safety standards and wind loading recommendations, the safety specification is not a negotiable (unless you’re looking to over-spec glass), but it is worth noting, as it can help to explain pricing variances.
For example, you could have two houses with the exact same window sizes, however house 1 has windowsills that are 1100mm from the floor inside, while house 2 has windowsills that are 700mm from the floor inside. The price for house 2 would be more, as the windows in this scenario are ‘low-level glazing’ and have additional safety requirements that house 1 doesn’t.
Quality of Materials
In general, high-quality materials perform better and last longer than low-quality materials, but they do cost more. While good quality products may cost more initially, using them can actually save you in the long term due to superior performance and durability.
At Eversure we’ve elected to use high quality materials across the board, including ‘best in class’ double glazing units, high performance, thermally broken aluminium profiles and high-quality window and door hardware.
Logistics
In order to fit double glazing into a home, the materials first need to be safely transported to the worksite, then moved to the window/door location within the house.
When projects include scaffolding or difficult access, handling of large, heavy materials becomes much more difficult and time consuming. Additional charges will usually apply in these cases, which will increase the project cost accordingly.
Due to the dynamic Wellington landscape, the access requirements can vary quite dramatically from home to home. On-site consultation is the only way to properly provide for the access requirements in the quotation for double glazing services.
Workmanship
Workmanship is one of the most important aspects of any double glazing project and will influence pricing. It’s extremely important that double glazing is installed correctly using proven methodology, as this will help to maximise the service life of the double glazing as well as joinery, and ensure you can enjoy the benefits long term.
Methods and standards can vary considerably across different double glazing installers, so it’s important to have complete confidence that the supplier you engage will complete your project to a high standard. At Eversure we pride ourselves on the quality of our work. You can view examples of projects we’ve completed in the ‘Our Work’ section of the website.
It’s also important to note that high quality workmanship doesn’t always mean paying a higher price. Suppliers that have excellent systems in place as well as experienced and skilled staff can maintain high standards while completing projects efficiently. Of course, there will be situations, such as with bespoke or complicated joinery, where extra time and materials are required to ensure a good outcome and this may well result in a higher price.
Cutting corners by using low quality materials, sub-standard installation methods, or third party installers may provide a lower initial price but can end up costing you more long term. Sub-par installation methods and materials can lead to wider issues, such as premature unit failure or water leaks, that can cause rot in windows/doors and even cladding and framing.
At Eversure, we’re focussed on continuous improvement and implementing systems that maximise productivity while maintaining consistency and quality. At Eversure, windows and doors are fabricated and installed by our own team - not sub-contractors.
Why an on-site Consultation is Required
As shown above, there are many factors that influence price and need to be considered when generating a quote for a double glazing project, and the only way to do this is by completing an on-site consultation. We also need to understand what is important to you, what you are currently experiencing that we may be able to improve for you, and potentially beneficial options for your double glazing project that you may not be aware of.
Double Glazing Ballpark Pricing: Is it $10,000 or $100,000?
If you haven’t undertaken any double glazing upgrade work in the past, or discussed pricing with people who have, you may not have any concept of pricing at all. In these cases, it can be beneficial to call us and speak with an Eversure team member.
Once we’ve discussed and understood your home, we may be able to ascertain the rough project scope and provide you with a ballpark indication. Obviously, in order to provide you with accurate pricing, we’ll need to complete an on-site consultation.
Conlusion:
As you can see, calculating the price of a double glazing project is not a simple process and contains many variables. Due to this, online calculators can have the potential to generate prices that are inaccurate and misleading.
It’s very normal to not know what installation service and glass solution is right for you. Completing a consultation with our expert sales team provides us with an opportunity to meet with you, discuss your home, assess your joinery and identify what options best suit your needs.
Upgrading to double glazing is a significant investment, so it’s vital you’re able to make an informed choice. Quote transparency can vary across suppliers, and it’s not always clear why. If you have received multiple quotes and would like to better understand the difference between them, we’d recommend reading our article ‘What to Consider When Compating Quotes’ or speaking to our team.
How can you get a quote?
Organising a quote from Eversure is simple. Complete the form below and our sales team will contact you promptly to schedule a consultation. You can also call our office by clicking the orange ‘book your free consultation’ button on the bottom right of your screen.