Renovating an old house is never straightforward, and when that house is a French farmhouse built from stone that refuses to be square, things get interesting very quickly. In this episode of our abandoned house renovation in France, we put double glazing vs single glazing to the test in a real-world setting, because theory is great, but cold toes are very persuasive.
This isn’t a lab experiment or a sales pitch, but a budget renovation project carried out in a rural French property, using off-the-shelf European windows and traditional building techniques where possible.
If you’re tackling an old house renovation, planning a rural property renovation, or wondering how to improve energy efficiency in old houses, this one’s for you.
Glazing Showdown Begins: Old House Reality Check – 00:00
We start with a controlled experiment, and the results are already awkward. It’s warmer outside than inside, which is not the lifestyle dream anyone signed up for. The single glazing is leaking heat, and the bathroom radiator is trying its best, but failing heroically.
This is the daily reality of cold house renovation, especially in older stone buildings where insulation was not exactly a historical priority.
Tiny Towel Rail vs French Winter – 00:33
The towel rail is only 750 watts, and it shows. It technically heats towels, but heating the room is more of a suggestion than a promise. That’s a common issue in historic building upgrades, because modern heating systems often struggle in spaces that bleed heat from every direction.
Can Double Glazing Fix a Century of Problems? – 00:48
Replacing windows feels like a silver bullet, but old houses are never that polite. Still, double glazing benefits are hard to ignore, so we decided to test whether upgrading windows alone could make a noticeable difference.
Why French Double Glazing Is So Affordable – 00:53
One surprise for many people renovating in France is just how accessible windows are. Double-glazed units come in standard metric sizes, they’re A+ rated, and they’re dramatically cheaper than UK equivalents.
This makes DIY window replacement a realistic option, even on a tight budget, and it’s a huge win for anyone doing a French farmhouse renovation.
Measuring Mistakes and Renovation Regret – 00:56
Of course, nothing goes entirely to plan. Measurements were… optimistic, and stones are not known for their geometric discipline. But this is exactly what renovating stone houses looks like in real life.
Walls shift, openings aren’t square, and everything requires persuasion.
Last Winter Was Brutal – 03:25
Cold bathrooms, visible breath, and the creeping sense that the house is winning. Single glazing problems become painfully obvious in winter, especially in rural France where heating costs matter and comfort is hard-earned.
Rotten Windows and Hidden Damage – 04:02
Once the old windows come under scrutiny, the truth emerges. Rotten timber, failed paint, gaps everywhere, and bonus wildlife access courtesy of cluster flies.
This is classic old house renovation, because surface fixes rarely survive contact with reality.
Testing Single Glazing Performance – 05:20
The experiment begins in earnest. The radiator works, but the heat doesn’t stay. After nearly two hours, the temperature barely rises, because warmth escapes through the window, walls, and ceiling.
So yes, physics remains undefeated.
Where Did All the Heat Go? – 06:45
After two hours, the verdict is clear. Heat loss is dramatic, and energy efficiency in old houses cannot be fixed with hope alone.
Installing Double Glazing in a Stone House – 07:00
Fitting modern windows into ancient openings is part engineering, part archaeology. The old frames come out, reluctantly, and the stonework demands respect, patience, and sometimes a crowbar.
A Hidden Oak Lintel Appears – 07:46
One of those renovation moments that makes it all worthwhile. A beautiful oak lintel, hidden for decades, emerges in remarkable condition. This is why restoring old buildings is equal parts frustration and treasure hunt.
Renovation Safety, French Style – 08:56
Somewhere between rubble and chaos, footwear becomes optional. This is not recommended, but it is apparently inevitable.
Breaking Out the Big Tools – 11:16
Old cement fights back, and stone walls remind us who’s really in charge. Modern materials often clash with traditional buildings, so careful removal is essential.
Lime Mortar Windows and Traditional Techniques – 14:20
Instead of modern foams, we use Lime Mortar to seal the new windows. This allows the building to breathe, which is critical for insulation in old houses and long-term structural health.
Lime mortar windows are slower to install, but they work with the building, not against it.
Double Glazing vs Single Glazing: The Results – 14:40
The difference is immediate. The room heats faster, holds warmth longer, and suddenly feels usable. Double glazing vs single glazing isn’t even close in this test.
Double Glazing Benefits Confirmed – 15:24
The temperature rises faster by several degrees, and it stays there. Comfort improves dramatically, and the towel rail finally stops pretending it’s ornamental.
Success, But More Work Ahead – 17:56
The windows solved a major problem, but heat is still escaping through the ceiling and stud walls. Renovation is never finished, because old houses always have another chapter waiting.
Still, this upgrade was a clear win, and a solid step forward in our abandoned house renovation France journey.
Final Thoughts on Renovating Old Houses in France
If you’re considering historic building upgrades, debating single glazing vs double glazing, or planning a budget renovation project in France, this experiment shows what actually works in practice.
Double glazing won’t fix everything, but paired with proper insulation and traditional materials, it makes old houses warmer, cheaper to run, and far more comfortable to live in.
And yes, the lizards are now locked out.
00:00 Glazing Showdown: Single vs Double for Old Houses
00:33 Tiny Towel Rail vs Winter Chill – Who Wins?
00:48 Can Double Glazing Fix Our Century-Old Woes?
00:53 Cheap French Double Glazing – Standard Sizes Win
00:56 Measuring Fail! Shopping Mistakes in Old Renovation
03:25 Last Winter Torture – Bathroom Nearly Frozen Solid
04:02 Rotten Windows Exposed – Time for an Upgrade!
05:20 Single Glazing Test – Heat Escapes Fast!
06:45 Two Hours Later – Where Did All the Heat Go?
07:00 Double Glazing Installation Begins – Fingers Crossed
07:09 Single Glazing Recycled… But It’s Rotten Anyway
07:46 Hidden Treasure! Gorgeous Oak Lintel Found
08:56 Ladder, Socks & Slippers – Renovation Chaos Moment
09:32 No Turning Back! Single Glazing Being Torn Out
11:16 Big Tools Attack Old Cement – Stone Wall Drama
11:25 Double Glazing Struggle in Tiny Bathroom Space
14:20 Lime Mortar Repair – Traditional Technique in Action
14:40 Glazing Showdown Result – Who Wins the Heat War?
15:24 Double Glazing Triumphs – Comfort Improved Fast
17:56 Pleasantly Surprised – But More Renovation Ahead
#DoubleGlazing #SingleGlazing #HomeImprovement #ThermalEfficiency #EnergyEfficiency #WindowReplacement #DIYHomeProjects #HomeRenovation #WinterReady #DraftProofing #InsulationTips #GlazingShowdown #BathroomMakeover #AestheticWindows
👉 Watch the full video here: Glazing Showdown: Double Glazing vs Single – Vlog #72
