Can you install commercial secondary glazing while the building is occupied?

Yes. Most of our commercial work is carried out in occupied buildings. Secondary glazing is fitted on the inside of the existing window, so there is no scaffolding, no external access and no exposure to the weather. We typically work room by room or floor by floor, and can install out of hours, at weekends or during school holidays to avoid disruption.

Does secondary glazing meet BB93 acoustic standards for schools?

Correctly specified acoustic secondary glazing is one of the most effective ways to bring an existing classroom up to BB93 indoor ambient noise levels. The wide air gap and acoustic laminate glass can achieve reductions of up to 54dB. We work from the acoustic consultant's target figures and can supply test data for the chosen specification.

Do we need planning permission or listed building consent for a commercial property?

Secondary glazing is an internal, reversible alteration, so planning permission is very rarely needed. For listed commercial buildings, listed building consent may be required, but conservation officers generally look favourably on secondary glazing because it protects the historic windows rather than replacing them. We prepare the drawings and specifications to support your application.

Which glass do you recommend for commercial premises?

It depends on the problem. For noise we specify 6.4mm or 10.8mm acoustic laminate. Where safety is a concern, such as schools and healthcare, we use toughened or laminated safety glass to BS EN 12600. For thermal performance we can add low-emissivity coatings. Fire-rated and privacy glass are also available.

How is commercial secondary glazing priced?

We price per window against a fixed specification, so you can budget accurately across a whole building. Larger projects benefit from repeat sizes and a single mobilisation. After a site survey we provide an itemised quotation, phasing plan and programme, and can work with your quantity surveyor or facilities team.

What is the payback period on commercial secondary glazing?

For a single-glazed commercial building, secondary glazing typically cuts heat loss through windows by 60 to 65 percent. On a large heritage school or church, the reduction in heating bills combined with lower maintenance of protected historic glass often gives a payback well within the lifespan of the system, which exceeds 25 years with basic maintenance.

Commercial Secondary GlazingFor Schools, Hotels, Offices and Heritage Buildings

Name: Secondary Glazing Specialist
Address: Arch 141, MacFarlane Road, London, W12 7LA, GB
Telephone: 020 7060 1572
Price range: ££££
Rating: 4.9

Quieter classrooms, warmer wards, better-reviewed hotel rooms. We design and install acoustic and thermal secondary glazing for occupied commercial buildings across London, working around your hours and without touching the original windows.

Book a Site Survey 020 7060 1572

Why Commercial Buildings Choose Secondary Glazing

Most commercial premises in London occupy buildings that were never designed for the traffic, aircraft and rail noise outside them today, and a large share are listed or in conservation areas where the original windows cannot be replaced. Secondary glazing solves both problems at once. A second, independent pane is fitted to the room side of the existing window, creating a wide air gap that delivers far better noise reduction than replacement double glazing and cuts heat loss through the glass by up to 65 percent.

For a facilities manager the practical advantages are just as important. There is no scaffolding, no external works, no planning risk and no need to close the building. The installation is fully reversible, so it satisfies conservation officers on listed buildings and landlords on leased premises alike.

Tall original sash windows in a heritage London school hall fitted with discreet slimline secondary glazing on the inside — Secondary glazing is fitted to the room side of the existing window, so the exterior of a listed building is unchanged.

Sectors We Work In

Every sector has its own regulations, operating hours and reasons for wanting quieter, warmer glass. These are the ones we are asked about most.

Schools & universities

The problem: Classrooms beside roads or flight paths struggle to meet BB93 acoustic standards, and single-glazed Victorian board schools lose heat through hundreds of square metres of glass.
Our approach: Acoustic laminate units fitted during half-term and summer holidays, with safety glass to BS EN 12600 and restrictors on opening sashes as standard.

Hotels & serviced apartments

The problem: Guests review noise before anything else. Street-facing rooms above bars, bus routes and rail lines earn the lowest scores and the most refund requests.
Our approach: Room-by-room installation while the property trades, working floor by floor so only a handful of rooms are ever out of service.

Offices & co-working

The problem: Open-plan floors in converted period buildings suffer from traffic noise, cold spots near glazing and the draughts that make desks by the window unpopular.
Our approach: Slimline systems with a wide air gap that lift the thermal and acoustic performance of the envelope without triggering landlord consent for the original windows.

Churches & places of worship

The problem: Stained glass and leaded lights are irreplaceable, listed, and often the largest source of heat loss and condensation damage in the building.
Our approach: Fully reversible protective glazing on bespoke frames that follows arched and tracery openings, shielding historic glass while cutting running costs.

Healthcare & GP surgeries

The problem: Consulting rooms need privacy and calm. Waiting rooms need warmth without the constant hum of the road outside.
Our approach: Acoustic glazing that also improves speech privacy between rooms and the street, fitted around clinic hours with minimal dust and disruption.

Residential blocks & housing associations

The problem: Mansion blocks and estates near main roads need a noise and thermal fix that works across dozens of identical windows and satisfies every leaseholder.
Our approach: Standardised specifications per window type, phased across the block, with a single point of contact for the managing agent or board.

How a Commercial Project Runs

Site survey and brief. We measure every opening, identify the dominant noise or heat-loss problem and agree the performance targets with you, your acoustic consultant or your conservation officer.
Specification and itemised quotation. A fixed price per window type, glass and frame specification, and a phasing plan that fits your operating hours. See our cost guide for typical residential figures as a starting point.
Consents where needed. We prepare the drawings and method statement for listed building consent applications and liaise with landlords on leased premises.
Manufacture. Every unit is made to measure in the UK, with the opening style chosen to suit each window: fixed panels for high-level glazing, hinged units for fire escapes, sliders where access for cleaning matters.
Phased installation. Room by room, floor by floor, out of hours or in holiday periods. Each room is handed back clean and in use the same day.
Handover and aftercare. Operation and maintenance information for your facilities team, and a single point of contact for the life of the system.

Glass, Safety and Compliance

Commercial premises carry duties that a private home does not, and the glazing specification reflects that. Where people, and particularly children, could fall against the glass we use toughened or laminated safety glass to BS EN 12600. Acoustic projects use 6.4mm or 10.8mm laminate with a PVB interlayer, which also provides a degree of security and UV filtering for anything displayed or stored near the window. Low-emissivity coatings improve thermal performance where heating cost is the main driver.

Opening units can be fitted with restrictors, and where a window forms part of an escape route we specify hinged or lift-out panels so egress is never compromised. If your building has a fire strategy, means-of-escape drawing or acoustic report, we will work to it.

We install commercial secondary glazing across London and every borough we serve. For the full picture of how the product works, return to our complete guide to secondary glazing.

Commercial Secondary Glazing: FAQs

Questions we hear from facilities managers, bursars, hoteliers and church wardens.

What Our Clients Say

4.9 / 5 · 127 reviews

Rated 4.9 out of 5 across 127 reviews from London homeowners.

"Exceptional service from start to finish. The noise reduction in our Kensington townhouse is remarkable — we no longer hear the constant traffic on the high street, even in the front bedrooms."

James H.Kensington, W8

"Specialists who truly understand listed buildings. They handled our Grade II* property with real expertise and managed the conservation paperwork so we didn't have to worry about a thing."

Sarah M.Chelsea, SW3

"Our Georgian sash windows were draughty and freezing every winter. The secondary glazing has transformed the house — warmer rooms, lower heating bills, and the original windows look untouched."

David & Claire T.Islington, N1

"From survey to installation the team was professional and tidy. The fit is so discreet that visitors don't even notice the secondary glazing is there. Sleep has never been better."

Eleanor R.Hampstead, NW3

"We live near a busy junction and the difference is night and day. The acoustic glass they recommended cut the noise dramatically. Worth every penny for the peace and quiet."

Michael P.Westminster, SW1

"Honest advice, fair pricing, and beautiful craftsmanship. They talked us through every option without any pressure. I would recommend them to anyone with a period property."

Anna K.Camden, NW1

Talk to Us About Your Building

Send us the address and a note on the problem and we will arrange a site survey at a time that suits your operation, followed by an itemised quotation and programme.

Book a Site Survey Call 020 7060 1572

From the Journal

Reading for Building Managers

Guides that cover the ground commercial clients ask about most: EPC rules, acoustic glass choices, leasehold consents and noise from hospitality neighbours.

Browse all articles

Why Commercial Buildings Choose Secondary Glazing

Secondary glazing is fitted to the room side of the existing window, so the exterior of a listed building is unchanged.

Sectors We Work In

Every sector has its own regulations, operating hours and reasons for wanting quieter, warmer glass. These are the ones we are asked about most.

Schools & universities

The problem: Classrooms beside roads or flight paths struggle to meet BB93 acoustic standards, and single-glazed Victorian board schools lose heat through hundreds of square metres of glass.
Our approach: Acoustic laminate units fitted during half-term and summer holidays, with safety glass to BS EN 12600 and restrictors on opening sashes as standard.

Hotels & serviced apartments

The problem: Guests review noise before anything else. Street-facing rooms above bars, bus routes and rail lines earn the lowest scores and the most refund requests.
Our approach: Room-by-room installation while the property trades, working floor by floor so only a handful of rooms are ever out of service.

Offices & co-working

The problem: Open-plan floors in converted period buildings suffer from traffic noise, cold spots near glazing and the draughts that make desks by the window unpopular.
Our approach: Slimline systems with a wide air gap that lift the thermal and acoustic performance of the envelope without triggering landlord consent for the original windows.

Churches & places of worship

The problem: Stained glass and leaded lights are irreplaceable, listed, and often the largest source of heat loss and condensation damage in the building.
Our approach: Fully reversible protective glazing on bespoke frames that follows arched and tracery openings, shielding historic glass while cutting running costs.

Healthcare & GP surgeries

The problem: Consulting rooms need privacy and calm. Waiting rooms need warmth without the constant hum of the road outside.
Our approach: Acoustic glazing that also improves speech privacy between rooms and the street, fitted around clinic hours with minimal dust and disruption.

Residential blocks & housing associations

The problem: Mansion blocks and estates near main roads need a noise and thermal fix that works across dozens of identical windows and satisfies every leaseholder.
Our approach: Standardised specifications per window type, phased across the block, with a single point of contact for the managing agent or board.

How a Commercial Project Runs

Site survey and brief. We measure every opening, identify the dominant noise or heat-loss problem and agree the performance targets with you, your acoustic consultant or your conservation officer.

Specification and itemised quotation. A fixed price per window type, glass and frame specification, and a phasing plan that fits your operating hours. See our cost guide for typical residential figures as a starting point.

Consents where needed. We prepare the drawings and method statement for listed building consent applications and liaise with landlords on leased premises.

Manufacture. Every unit is made to measure in the UK, with the opening style chosen to suit each window: fixed panels for high-level glazing, hinged units for fire escapes, sliders where access for cleaning matters.

Phased installation. Room by room, floor by floor, out of hours or in holiday periods. Each room is handed back clean and in use the same day.

Handover and aftercare. Operation and maintenance information for your facilities team, and a single point of contact for the life of the system.

Glass, Safety and Compliance

We install commercial secondary glazing across London and every borough we serve. For the full picture of how the product works, return to our complete guide to secondary glazing.

Commercial Secondary Glazing: FAQs

Questions we hear from facilities managers, bursars, hoteliers and church wardens.