Preserve the Look of Existing Joinery with Retrofit Double Glazing

Many homeowners love the style, colour, and character of their existing aluminium joinery and are reluctant to replace it just to improve warmth or comfort. If your windows and doors are still structurally sound, retrofit double glazing offers the perfect solution — delivering modern performance without changing the look of your home.

At Ryan Double Glazing, we specialise in retrofitting double glazing into existing aluminium windows and doors throughout Mount Maunganui, Papamoa, and Tauranga.

What is retrofit double glazing?

Retrofit double glazing involves removing the existing single pane of glass from your aluminium joinery and replacing it with a custom-made insulated double glazed unit. Each unit consists of:

• Two panes of glass

• A sealed cavity between them

• Air or argon gas for improved insulation

This process dramatically improves thermal performance while retaining your original frames, profiles, and colour.

Why homeowners choose retrofit over replacement

Many Tauranga homes feature aluminium joinery that still has plenty of life left in it. Full window replacement can be costly and disruptive — and often unnecessary.

Retrofitting is popular because it:

• Preserves the existing appearance of your windows and doors

• Maintains original colours, finishes, and architectural style

• Is significantly more cost-effective than full replacement

• Avoids major building work or disruption

If existing frames are in good condition, retrofit double glazing delivers most of the benefits of new windows at a fraction of the cost.

A smarter, simpler upgrade

Compared with replacing joinery, retrofitting is a clean and efficient process:

• No council consent required

• No builders or additional trades

• No need to move out of your home

• Minimal disruption to daily life

We also colour-match the new sealed units to your existing aluminium joinery, ensuring a seamless finish.

Improved comfort and performance

Double glazing is widely recognised for its ability to:

• Reduce heat loss in winter

• Keep homes cooler in summer

• Minimise condensation on glass

• Improve acoustic insulation

• Increase overall comfort and energy efficiency

While thermally broken aluminium frames provide the highest performance, retrofitting into standard aluminium joinery still offers a significant upgrade over single glazing, especially when paired with modern Low-E glass options.

Refreshing tired windows and doors

As part of the retrofit process, Ryan Double Glazing can also:

• Replace worn window seals and handles

• Refresh door hardware where required

• Replace or add security stays

• Install pet doors (optional extra)

For a more modern look, we can also remove vision rails or vertical bars, giving your windows and doors a cleaner, more contemporary appearance while upgrading the glazing.

How the process works

Our process is straightforward and transparent:

• We measure your existing aluminium windows and doors

• Provide a detailed quote (often from supplied photos and measurements)

• Manufacture custom double glazed units

• Professionally install them into your existing joinery

If your windows are severely worn or “clapped out”, we’ll let you know honestly — in those cases, full replacement may be the better long-term option.

Local expertise you can trust

Based in Mount Maunganui, Ryan Double Glazing has extensive experience retrofitting aluminium joinery in coastal Bay of Plenty homes. We understand local conditions and tailor every solution to suit your home, your budget, and your design preferences.

If you want warmer, quieter, more comfortable living without changing the look of your windows, retrofit double glazing is the ideal answer.

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