Replacing all the windows in a bungalow is an easier process than most homeowners expect.
A full set of double glazed windows in a typical three-bedroom bungalow usually takes our fitting team one to two days, and the difference to warmth, noise, and energy bills starts showing from the first winter.
A large proportion of the bungalows we survey across Scotland date from the interwar and postwar decades. A good number still carry their original timber windows or first-generation double glazing from the 1980s or 1990s!
Those old windows have served their time.
Blown sealed units, misted glass, stiff handles, and frames that have distorted over decades are all signs that upgrading to double glazing is overdue.
Replacing old windows cuts energy bills and makes a bungalow noticeably warmer through a Scottish winter.
The Advanced Group has been fitting new double glazed windows in Scottish bungalows since 1988.
Our uPVC windows are made to measure for every opening, A-rated as standard, and backed by a 15-year guarantee on frames, glass, and workmanship.
Call our Glasgow team on 01355 271 223 or our Edinburgh team on 0131 370 0444 to arrange your free home visit.
Why bungalows lose more heat than other homes in Scotland
Single-storey properties have a higher ratio of window area to total heated floor space than most two-storey homes.
In a house with upstairs rooms, windows are spread across multiple floors and the impact of any one poorly performing window is diluted.
But in a bungalow, all the windows are in the same heated zone.
When the double glazing starts to fail or the original single glazed windows are still in place, the effect on comfort and energy costs is felt across every room at once.
A single-glazed window has a U-value of around 5.0 W/m2K. And first-generation double glazing from the 1980s, which are still present in many of the homes we visit, achieve U-values of 2.5 to 3.0 W/m2K.
At those figures, heat moves through the glass faster than a typical boiler can replace it.
Our double glazed units use low-emissivity glass, argon gas between the two panes of glass, and warm-edge spacer bars.
That combination can brings the U-value down to 1.2 W/m2K, with triple glazing options bringing the window down to 0.8!
Not only does this translate to greater comfort in your home, but it also means lower energy bills!
New uPVC window styles and double glazing options for bungalows
Bungalows come with a wide variety of original window styles depending on when and where they were built.
The right type of window for your bungalow depends on its architecture, the room it’s going into, and whether preserving the character of the original windows matters to you.
All the styles available for double glazing come in uPVC, and the windows and materials suit everything from 1930s pebble-dash semis to 1960s estate bungalows.
Here are just some of the styles that we offer which are perfect for bungalows.
Casement windows
Casement windows are a popular style of window for bungalow replacement in Scotland, and they suit the vast majority of property styles.
They’re side-hung or top-hung, opening outward on hinges, and they work well in virtually every room.
Our uPVC casement windows come in a range of sizes and configurations, from single openers to multi-pane designs with fixed and opening lights.
The profile is flat and clean, working fantastically on traditional and contemporary bungalows alike.
Sash windows
Many pre-war bungalows originally had traditional sash windows.
If you want to preserve that character while gaining modern glazing performance, our uPVC sliding sash windows are the answer!
Old sash windows in period bungalows are a consistent source of draughts and heat loss because the weight boxes and timber frames have aged out of square.
Replacing them with double glazed sash units uses spring balance mechanisms instead of the original weights and cords, so they operate smoothly and tilt inward for cleaning without any weight box.
The window looks the same from the street, but the sealed unit, spring balances, and double glazing give it entirely different performance.
Bay windows
Bay windows are a defining feature of many 1930s and 1950s bungalows, particularly at the front elevation.
Three-panel bays with a large fixed centre pane and angled opening side panels are the most common configuration, but five-panel bays and bow windows with a curved profile are also found across Scottish bungalows.
We manufacture replacement bay window frames to fit the exact dimensions and angles of your existing bay structure for the perfect fit.
Tilt and turn windows
Our tilt and turn windows open in two ways: tilt inward at the top for background ventilation with the window held secure, or swing fully open from the side for cleaning and maximum airflow.
All the mechanism is contained within the frame, so the window looks clean and uncluttered when closed.
Tilt and turn is well suited to bungalow bedrooms and bathrooms where you want fresh air without compromising security, especially for a property on ground level.
They’re a practical option for anyone who finds cleaning the outside face of a standard casement difficult.
French casement windows
French casement windows have two sashes that open outward from the centre with no fixed bar between them.
When both sashes are fully open, the whole opening is clear of any frame.
That unobstructed gap works well in living rooms and dining rooms that lead to a garden.
Our double glazed French windows bring good ventilation and a wide, unobstructed view.
When closed, the two sashes sit flush against each other for a clean finish.
Benefits of new double glazed windows for Scottish bungalows
Single glazing and first-generation double glazing from the 1980s fall short in two areas in a bungalow: warmth and noise.
Energy efficiency and savings
Energy efficient windows at A-rating achieve both through low-emissivity glass and argon gas fill.
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that upgrading from single glazing to double-glazed windows saves up to £140 per year on heating bills in a typical home.
For a bungalow, where the window-to-floor ratio is higher and the effect of poorly performing glazing is felt across every room at once, the saving tends to be at the upper end of that range.
Security
Security improves significantly with modern windows.
Old bungalow windows sit at ground level and, in most cases, were originally fitted with basic catches that offer limited resistance to forced entry.
Our double glazed units come with multi-point locking systems and toughened glass as standard.
That makes forced entry significantly harder than through old single-glazed or early double-glazed windows. Bungalows in particular benefit from this because every window sits at ground level, reachable from outside without any elevation.
Noise reduction
Noise reduction is another consistent benefit, particularly for bungalows on busy roads.
A standard double glazed unit reduces traffic noise meaningfully compared to single glazing.
Upgrading to triple glazing or adding acoustic glass takes it further still.
Appearance
It isn’t just your comfort that has improved, with our stylish solutions, your home appearance approves too!
With a wide range of colours and configurations to choose from, your new stylish windows that look good from the street improve kerb appeal in a way that adds real value when it comes to sell.
Double glazing installation: what to expect
Free home survey
When we install double glazing in a bungalow, the process starts with a free home survey.
Our surveyor measures every opening, checks the surrounding brickwork or stonework for any repairs needed before installation, and goes through your glazing options for window style, colour, and hardware.
No worries if you need more time to consider either.
We pride ourselves on no hard sell and no pressure.
Manufacturing your new windows
Your windows are then manufactured to your exact measurements.
This is important because bungalow window sizes vary considerably between properties and standard stock sizes rarely fit properly.
Manufacturing takes a few weeks, after which we confirm your installation date for a day that suits you.
Installation day
On the day, our fitting team removes and replaces one window at a time, working from ground level throughout.
A full set of bungalow windows, typically 6 to 10 windows, takes one to two days.
Each window is positioned, levelled, sealed, and secured before we move to the next.
We clean up as we go and remove all the old windows and packaging before leaving.
When the work is done, we walk you through how the new windows operate, including the locking mechanisms and any tilt-and-turn functions, and we sign off the installation against our quality checklist.
15 year guarantee
Every installation comes with our 15-year guarantee covering frames, glass, and workmanship.
Should a fault occur, we will be there to help fix it.
Planning permission and window replacement
Replacing windows in a bungalow is classed as permitted development in Scotland in most cases.
No planning application is required.
The new windows need to be similar in appearance to the ones being replaced, and your property must not be in a conservation area or listed.
Where those conditions apply, window replacement proceeds without any involvement from the planning authority.
Conservation areas
If your bungalow is in a conservation area, front-facing window changes require a prior notification to your local planning authority.
Scottish permitted development rights updated in 2024, and uPVC is now generally accepted as a replacement material subject to the local authority approving the style, proportions, and colour.
Our surveyor will confirm whether prior notification applies to your property during the free home visit, and we can help guide you through the process if it does.
Listed bungalows
Listed bungalows need listed building consent before window changes can proceed. This is less common but does apply to some interwar properties with architectural significance.
Where the original windows must be retained, secondary glazing fitted inside the existing frame is often the practical alternative.
Our team can help guide you on a solution so you upgrade your living situation.
Why choose The Advanced Group for uPVC window and door replacement
We’ve been fitting quality windows and doors across Scotland since 1988, and bungalows make up a large part of the work we do each year.
Our experience with the window styles, sizing quirks, and building materials common in Scottish bungalows means our surveyors and fitters understand exactly what they’re walking into when they visit.
We work with trusted manufacturers so every window we fit is made to measure.
Our Advanced 70+ uPVC system can achieve U-value as low as 0.8 W/m2K through glazing technology that combines low-emissivity glass, argon gas fill, and warm-edge spacer bars.
Our windows use 80% recycled and renewable uPVC through our partnership with Camden in Ireland, and they carry an A energy rating as standard.
To come and see the full range of our windows, come and visit our Glasgow showroom.
Book your free bungalow window survey in Scotland with The Advanced Group
Call our Glasgow showroom on 01355 271 223 or our Edinburgh showroom on 0131 370 0444.
You can also request a quote online and we’ll be in touch to arrange a visit.
If you’d like to see the windows and doors before the survey, our showroom is open and you’re welcome to come in, try the opening mechanisms, and compare the colour and finish options in person.
