What is magnetic secondary glazing?

Retro Panes are always our first choice. Where your windows cannot take one, magnetic glazing is the alternative: a clear second pane that sits on top of your window frame, held in place by magnetic tape.

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Retro Panes first. Magnetic glazing where they cannot go

Retro Panes are our core product and the best solution for your windows, so we always recommend them where possible. Magnetic glazing is an alternative for customers whose windows cannot take a Retro Pane. It is not as good a solution, but it is still a strong way to keep the heat in and the noise out.

A Retro Pane sets into a beading on your window. For that we need roughly 12mm of depth, with the beading running at about 90 degrees to the glass. Without it there is no space to insert a Retro Pane.

Magnetic glazing does not need that space. It sits on top of the window instead, so it works on frames where a Retro Pane cannot.

How magnetic glazing works

  • 1. A strip goes on the window

    A 10mm wide magnetic tape is fixed to the wood around the edge of the pane, on the room-facing side.

  • 2. Foam tape evens out the surface

    The strip is glued to the wood with a foam tape, which copes well with the uneven surfaces often found on historic windows.

  • 3. The pane draws itself on

    The pane carries magnetic tape too, so it is pulled onto the strip and held in place on top of the beading.

How it looks on your window

Magnetic glazing sits on top of the actual beading, on the room-facing side of the window. Your original glass and window frame stay as they are underneath.

  • Slim frame that sits on the fringe of the existing window
  • 10mm magnetic strip holds the pane against the wood
  • Foam tape bed copes with uneven, historic surfaces

Performance you can expect

  • Warmer rooms

    Thermal performance similar to our Retro Panes.

  • Quieter rooms

    Reduces the noise that comes through your windows.

  • Similar price

    In the same price bracket as Retro Panes. Get in touch for specifics.

Retro Panes vs. magnetic glazing

Retro PanesOur magnetic glazing
Installed in minutes, with no tools neededSits on top of the beading
Does not block your window openingSimilar thermal and acoustic benefits
Made to measure, fully removableDoes not block your window opening
Needs a beading to sit in (roughly 12mm deep, at about 90 degrees to the glass)Strong insulation for period timber windows

Our recommendation: Retro Panes wherever your window has the beading for them. Magnetic glazing only where it does not.

Keep the view. Keep the character.

Your original glass and window frame stay as they are underneath, so the look of your period windows stays the same.

Not sure which suits your windows?

Every window is different. At your free survey we check whether there is enough beading for a Retro Pane, which is what we recommend wherever possible. Only where there is not do we suggest magnetic glazing.

Please get in touch for specifics and pricing.