Is it possible to replace a single-pane glass unit with a double-pane one? This question often arises when the thermal insulation of a single-pane glass unit proves to be insufficient. Considering the direct relationship between heat retention and the number of chambers in a glass unit, many owners decide to radically change the situation. But this is not the only reason for replacing glass units.

Most often, glass units are replaced for the following reasons:

• You ordered a budget option, and later you had the financial opportunity to make a more expensive and high-quality glass;
• The energy-saving performance of the installed glass units did not meet expectations, and they need to be replaced;
• The glass unit is “crying”, fogging up, or the glass has cracked.

However, double-pane glass units are usually thicker, and new questions arise. Is it necessary to replace the entire window in such a case?

First, you need to pay attention to the existing glass unit. After all, single-pane glass units can be standard (24 mm thick) and expanded (32 mm thick).

Option with an expanded glass unit (32 mm):

The width of double-pane glass units varies from 32 mm to 44 mm. In a 32 mm unit, an additional glass is installed, and the total distance between the glass sheets is reduced from 24 mm to 20 mm. Such a glass unit is guaranteed to “fit” into the already installed window, and there is no need to change the glazing beads. The main costs are directed to the cost of the glass unit itself. At the same time, heat loss will be reduced by almost 40%, and a new frame will not be needed.

Option with a standard glass unit (24 mm):

Some window profiles allow the replacement of a narrow glass unit with a wider one, but some nuances must be considered:

• The constructive depth of the profile. The maximum width of the glass unit that can be installed in such a window depends on it. You can easily find this indicator in the specification for the contract.
• The weight of the new glass unit and the strength of the profile and fittings.

Replacing a single-pane glass unit with a double-pane one will mean that the glazing beads that hold the glass unit in the frame will have to be replaced, which is an additional expense.

The difference in the weight of the packages will be quite significant, especially if you also change the thickness of the glass sheets from 4 mm to 6 mm. Not every profile suitable for windows with a single-pane glass unit will withstand a heavy double-pane one, the same applies to the fittings. To avoid negative consequences of such a replacement, it is necessary to consider the permissible load on the profile and fittings. All these details will help specialists in window installation to calculate.

Therefore, if you already have single-pane glass units installed, and you want to replace them with double-pane ones, in many cases it is possible to do so without replacing the entire window.