"I just cannot believe how quiet it is," exclaimed a radio broadcaster to his wife after secondary glazing manufactured and supplied by Granada Glazing was installed throughout their period Buxton property to improve thermal efficiency and reduce external noise.

BBC radio producer Stephen Shipley, who has retired but continues to record occasional religious broadcasts from home, immediately noticed the acoustic benefit after 14 original single-glazed windows in the substantial semi-detached property were treated with Granada’s secondary glazing products.

"Initially, we wanted secondary glazing for thermal efficiency, however the reduction in traffic noise from the main road has delighted my husband in particular as he’s very sensitive to sound. Having worked in radio for many years, his ears are highly attuned to extraneous noises," said Rosemary Shipley.

"It is a lot quieter now and I know when we restart recordings, we will notice the benefit of now that the house has an acoustic free from the sound of traffic."

Dating back to 1870, the stone-built five-bedroomed house sits in a conservation area and was built to host Victorian visitors 'taking the waters' at the Derbyshire spa town. All the main reception rooms are dual aspect, including the living room which has several arched windows.


Keen to retain the original windows with their original Victorian glass, the Shipleys wanted secondary glazing "that would, as far as possible, complement and not spoil the look of the existing glazing".

Granada's technical team worked with Brocklehurst Property Maintenance Ltd, specialists in conservation and renovation of historic buildings, to devise the best secondary glazing solution. A combination of Granada's Heritage two-panel and three-panel sliding units, plus standard Lift Out panels and an arched Balanced Vertical Slider were installed across the building’s four floors.

The slimline aluminium frames, with 4mm glass panels, are finished in a white powder coating to match the existing windows and interior décor. All were fixed face onto the existing windows.

For heritage and listed buildings with single glazed primary windows, installing secondary glazing is often the preferred option for creating a warmer, quieter and more secure environment with the original windows intact. Aluminium frames with narrow sightlines are virtually invisible, maintaining a building’s charm and character while bringing the glazing system firmly into the 21st century.

Commenting on the difference secondary glazing has made, Rosemary continued: "It is not at all intrusive, the units are good quality and slide very easily. The installers have an eye for detail and have done a particularly good job; we are really pleased."

She said after the secondary glazing was installed in the Spring, visitors noted that the house feels warmer and "I think we will certainly see the benefit of reduced heating bills in the winter".

Rosemary added: "The whole climate change agenda is something we cannot ignore, and we were keen to do our small bit to conserve the heat and reduce the amount of fuel we are consuming. Secondary glazing means we keep the period windows and get all the benefits of modern glazing."

Suitable for all property types, Granada’s slimline aluminium secondary glazing frames can be powder coated in over 200 RAL colours. Virtually invisible, they blend in with any interior décor. The Granada Glazing product range encompasses hinged, sliding, vertical sliders, including tilt back, and lift-out options. Full training and marketing support is available to installers across the UK.

For more information about adding the Granada Secondary Glazing range to your business, please call 01909 499899, visit www.gsecg.com or email info@granadaglazing.com.