Is lift out secondary glazing the quietest option?

Yes. With no track, hinge or meeting stile, a lift-out panel seals uniformly on all four edges and reaches up to 54dB with 10.8mm acoustic laminate at a 150mm cavity — 2-3dB better than an equivalent sliding unit.

How heavy are lift out panels?

A 6.4mm laminate panel weighs roughly 12-18kg and is a one-person lift. A 10.8mm laminate panel of the same size is 22-28kg and should be handled by two people, so we cap single-person sizes at around 1.5m x 1.5m.

Can lift out panels be used on fire escape windows?

Only with quick-release catches that open without a key or tool. On habitable rooms above ground floor we usually recommend hinged or sliding units instead so the escape route is never obstructed.

How much does lift out secondary glazing cost?

From £390 per window supplied and fitted with 6.4mm acoustic laminate — the lowest-cost system we install. The 10.8mm upgrade adds £110-£170 per window.

Lift Out Secondary Glazing London

The quietest and most affordable option for windows you rarely need to open.

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54dB

Peak noise reduction

£390

From, per window

Moving parts

30 sec

To remove a panel

Lift out secondary glazing is a fully sealed panel held in position by clips or a turn-catch system. There are no moving parts, no track and no stiles — which makes it both the cheapest system we supply and the best-performing acoustically.

Panels are removed by hand in seconds for cleaning or summer ventilation and stored flat. It is the correct specification for stairwells, dormers, light wells, bathroom windows and any room where the window is opened a handful of times a year rather than daily.

Why removable panels measure highest

Every opening mechanism introduces a joint, and every joint is a potential sound path. A lift-out panel is a single sealed unit compressed uniformly against the frame gasket, so it achieves the full laboratory-rated performance of the glass and cavity combination — up to 54dB with 10.8mm laminate at a 150mm air gap.

No track, stile or hinge gap to leak sound
Uniform gasket compression across the full perimeter
Lowest cost per window of any system we install
Lightest visual frame — least intrusive on period joinery

Handling and storage

A typical panel glazed in 6.4mm laminate weighs 12-18kg and is comfortably handled by one person. Larger panels in 10.8mm laminate can exceed 25kg and should be treated as a two-person lift, which is worth factoring in before specifying lift-out on a large window.

We supply protective edge pads and can fit a discreet in-reveal storage bracket so panels are not leant against a wall.

Fire escape and Building Regulations

Where a window is a designated means of escape, a lift-out panel must be openable without a key or tool. Our quick-release turn catches satisfy that requirement, but on habitable rooms above ground floor level we normally recommend a hinged or sliding unit instead.

Lift out system specification

Fixing: Quick-release turn catches or magnetic clip retention
Glass options: 4mm float, 6.4mm and 10.8mm acoustic laminate
Noise reduction: Up to 54dB with 10.8mm laminate at 150mm cavity
Panel weight: 12-18kg (6.4mm), 22-28kg (10.8mm)
Max panel size: 1.5m x 1.5m recommended for single-person handling
Frame: Minimal-sightline aluminium, powder-coated

Pricing guide

Specification	Price	Notes
Standard panel, 6.4mm laminate	from £390	Up to 1.2m x 1.2m
Large panel, 6.4mm laminate	from £470	Up to 1.5m x 1.5m
10.8mm acoustic laminate upgrade	+£110-£170	Per window
In-reveal storage bracket	£45	Per panel

All prices supplied and fitted in London, inclusive of survey and 25-year warranty. See the full secondary glazing price list.

Case study: Stairwell and dormer panels in Hampstead

Hampstead, NW3

Problem: Emergency service sirens on Rosslyn Hill carrying through a tall stairwell window that was never opened.

Solution: Two oversized lift-out panels with 10.8mm acoustic laminate at a 150mm cavity, quick-release catches.

Result: 34dB reduction measured on the landing — the highest figure recorded on the project, at the lowest cost per window.

Frequently asked questions

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