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To Double Glaze or Not, that is the Question !

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Hi everyone,

We are planning to build a double-storey house in Melbourne and it’s about 36 Squares in size. It’s a 5 bedroom house + Study, 4 Bathrooms (3 rooms have full ensuites) and 3 living areas with an Alfresco at the rear (floor plans attached).

The builder (well known in Victoria) is asking for approx $12k (quote attached) to double glaze the whole house (approx. 20 windows) and a triple Alfresco door. Is it worth it ?

Thanks for your advice and comments :)

Featured Answer

bigreader

2 years ago

Yes. Although that is a substantial house to heat and cool so you’re going to be spending a lot either way.

Comments (9)

macyjean
2 years ago
It would not make sense to build such a generous house and skimp on making it efficient and future-proofed. If money is an issue then look at reducing the size, for example perhaps by changing some of the walk-ins to built-ins as walk-ins are not always a practical improvement, more a way of making storage 'look' bigger without necessarily providing bigger storage. Do you have a purpose for the "sitting" room? It looks very narrow, though it could work well as a study for example.
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Kate
2 years ago
I’d be surprised if you meet energy requirements if you don’t. Yes it’s worth it.
Kate
2 years ago
Add all the insulation and double glazing you can. You can’t do it later, Save money elsewhere . If money is tight now don’t fit out an en-suite yet, comeback later for that with the savings from your energy bills.
C P
2 years ago
12k must be a drop in the ocean compared to the rest of the build costs. Of course you must do it.
oklouise
2 years ago
sounds like a bargain to me
dreamer
2 years ago
Yes, install double glazing. The amount quoted seems extremely reasonable.
Read up on double glazing and the best way to ensure that it helps in your power cost savings.
Then when home is built you will be well informed from the start.
Eg. Don’t leave a large sliding door open in summer and let the heat in. Because once the heat is in, it can’t get out with the double glazing.
If you cool or heat the home, the doors and windows need to be kept closed.
J AH79
2 years ago
These are not thermally broken double glazed windows so I would be looking into get better ones. Look up My Efficient Electric Home on Facebook for more info. You need to look at what is referred to as the “U” value and get that number under 2. Look up the quoted window on a site called WERS, yours will be way higher than 2.
Anne Monsour
2 years ago
Melbourne , every time that I have been there , has been freezing so double glaze .

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