Timber Retrofit Double Glazing
Keep the Character. Improve the Comfort.
Love your timber windows but want a warmer, quieter and more comfortable home?
Timber retrofit double glazing allows many Tauranga and Bay of Plenty homeowners to upgrade their existing timber windows with high-performance double glazing while retaining the character and natural insulating properties of timber.
At Elite Double Glazing, we offer two timber window upgrade solutions depending on the condition of your existing joinery: retrofitting double glazing into your existing timber sashes, or replacing tired sashes with new Escence Wood™ timber sashes.
Our team will assess your existing windows and recommend the most suitable option for your home.
How Does Timber Retrofit Double Glazing Work?
Traditional timber windows were generally designed for thin single-pane glass. With retroGLAZE® timber retrofit double glazing, we carefully remove the existing single glazing and modify suitable timber sashes to accommodate genuine double-glazed units.
New timber beads are fitted around the glass, and where appropriate we can also upgrade seals and hardware to help improve the overall performance and operation of your windows.
Paired with our SuperTherm™ Low-E double glazing range, timber retrofit can significantly improve the year-round comfort of your home while retaining the timber joinery that gives it its character.
Two Ways to Upgrade Your Timber Windows
Not every timber window needs the same solution. The condition of the existing frame and sash plays an important role in determining the best approach.
1. Retrofit Your Existing Timber Sashes
Where your existing timber sashes are in suitable condition, we can modify them to accommodate high-performance double glazing.
This allows you to retain as much of the original window as possible while improving insulation, comfort and performance.
Timber retrofit is particularly well suited to villas, bungalows, character homes and other Bay of Plenty properties where retaining the original joinery is important.
2. Replace Tired Sashes with Escence Wood™
Sometimes the existing timber frame is worth keeping, but the sash itself has reached the end of its useful life.
Escence Wood™ provides another option.
Rather than replacing the entire window, a new made-to-fit engineered timber sash is installed into the suitable existing timber frame. This allows homeowners to retain the proportions and character of their original windows while upgrading tired sashes with a purpose-designed system built for modern double glazing and weather sealing.
Escence Wood™ sashes are manufactured from sustainably grown New Zealand radiata pine that is thermally modified, laminated and treated for improved stability and durability.
They can be paired with high-performance Low-E double glazing, including the SuperTherm™ range.
Which Timber Double Glazing Option Is Right for My Home?
The right solution depends on the condition and design of your existing timber windows.
Existing sash in good condition?
Retrofitting your existing timber sash may be the best option.
Frame is sound but the sash is tired or deteriorated?
Escence Wood™ timber sash replacement may allow us to retain the existing frame while replacing the sash.
Existing timber joinery is significantly damaged or unsuitable to retain?
A different replacement solution may provide a better long-term result.
During your consultation, our team assesses the existing joinery, how the windows operate, areas requiring repair and what you want to achieve from the upgrade before recommending a solution.
Benefits of Retrofitting Timber Windows
Timber is naturally insulating, which makes good-quality existing timber joinery well worth retaining where possible.
Upgrading single-glazed timber windows can help:
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Improve year-round thermal comfort
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Reduce heat loss through the glass
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Reduce condensation on the inside surface of the glass
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Reduce outside noise
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Improve draught sealing when seals and hardware are upgraded
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Preserve the character of villas, bungalows and older homes
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Avoid unnecessary full-frame replacement where existing joinery can be retained
Timber Retrofit for Villas, Bungalows, and Character Homes
Many Tauranga and wider Bay of Plenty homes - especially villas, bungalows, and 1940s–1970s timber houses — were designed with beautiful timber joinery worth preserving. Timber retrofit allows you to maintain those original details while bringing the window performance up to modern standards.
Our team specialises in working with older homes, carefully removing and re-fitting sashes, preserving decorative features, and protecting leadlights where required. You get a warmer, more comfortable home without losing the charm that makes these properties so special.
Timber Frame Repairs
Existing timber windows sometimes require repairs before they can be successfully double glazed.
Depending on the condition of the joinery, our team can assess issues such as:
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swollen or stiff sashes
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minor areas of rot
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damaged timber sections
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worn glazing beads
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tired hinges and hardware
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poorly operating windows
Where appropriate, these issues can be addressed as part of the timber window upgrade. If the existing sash is no longer suitable to retain, we can also assess whether Escence Wood™ sash replacement is an appropriate alternative.
Timber Retrofit vs Aluminium Inserts
Both options allow you to upgrade a home with existing timber windows, but they create very different results.
Retrofit
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Retains the traditional timber appearance and is ideal when maintaining the home's original character is important.
Inserts
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Replace the timber sashes with new aluminium joinery while retaining suitable timber surrounds. This creates a more modern, low-maintenance finish.
Escence Wood™
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Sits between these options for suitable windows, allowing a tired timber sash to be replaced with a new engineered timber sash while retaining the existing timber frame.
Not sure the best solution for you? Talk to our friendly team and we will recommend the perfect solution for your home, budget and lifestyle.
Learn More About Timber Retrofit
Can you put double glazing into existing timber windows? Yes. Many existing timber windows can be retrofitted with genuine double glazing. The existing joinery needs to be assessed first to make sure it is suitable to retain and can accommodate the retrofit system.
Do I have to replace my timber windows to get double glazing? Not necessarily. If your existing timber joinery is suitable, we may be able to retrofit double glazing into the existing sashes. If the frame is sound but the sash needs replacing, Escence Wood™ may provide another option without requiring full-frame replacement.
What is Escence Wood™? Escence Wood™ is a made-to-fit engineered timber sash system designed for suitable existing timber window frames. The original frame remains in place while the old sash is replaced with a new timber sash designed to accommodate modern double glazing and weather seals.
Can timber retrofit double glazing reduce condensation? Double glazing increases the temperature of the internal glass surface compared with single glazing, which can significantly reduce the conditions that cause condensation on the glass. However, indoor moisture levels and ventilation also influence condensation, so double glazing cannot guarantee a condensation-free home.
Can you double glaze villa and bungalow windows? Yes, many villas, bungalows and character homes are excellent candidates for timber retrofit double glazing. Retaining suitable timber joinery can preserve the original appearance of the home while improving comfort and thermal performance.
Can you double glaze leadlight windows? In many cases, yes. Existing leadlights can often be incorporated into a double-glazed unit. Our team can assess your leadlights and recommend the appropriate solution.
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