Air Cavity Maximise air cavity for insulation against noise, thermal or both.

Magnetic Seals Create airtight seals, similar to your fridge doors to eliminate noise and draught

Acrylic Glazing 6 times more thermally efficient to keep your home or office cool in summer and warm in winter

A Practical Double Glazing Solution for Character Homes

New Zealand's character homes are full of charm and history, but many still have single-glazed windows that struggle to keep out noise and retain heat. For these properties, replacing entire window units can be costly and risks compromising the original look and feel that makes them so special.

Magnetite provides an innovative solution for double glazing character homes - without the need to replace your existing windows or alter the exterior appearance. Our retrofit system is installed entirely from the inside, making it the perfect solution for villas, bungalows, and other heritage or character properties.

With over 25 years of experience, Magnetite delivers proven results with up to 70% improvement in insulation and noise reduction. Our team assesses your windows, designs a tailored solution, and installs it with precision - all while preserving the character and charm of your home.

We work with a trusted network of licensed estimators, fabricators, and installers across Aotearoa, primarily throughout the North Island.

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Advantages of Double Glazing for Character Homes

Double glazing for character homes improves comfort, lowers energy use, and cuts down on external noise - all without altering the original windows or exterior appearance that make your home unique.

Magnetite's award-winning retrofit double glazing system is designed to work with the timber sash, casement, and bay windows commonly found in New Zealand character homes. It's the ideal solution for heritage properties where preserving original features is a priority. Save time, reduce waste, and improve comfort by retrofitting instead of replacing.

Noice Reduction

Thermal Comfort

Energy Efficient

Fits Existing Windows

Proven Results

Our window systems have been independently tested by the National Acoustic Laboratories in line with National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) regulations. Reduce up to 70% of noise through windows or doors with Magnetite secondary glazing solution.

View Noise Reduction Technical Data

Our window systems have been independently tested by the Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS) in line with National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) regulations. Improve up to 70% of thermal efficiency of your windows or doors with Magnetite secondary glazing solution.

View Thermal Improvement Technical Data

How Magnetite Works

Installation of a discreet Magnetite subframe allows a clear optical grade acrylic panel to attach inside the existing windowsill, using continuous magnetic channels to ensure a secure and airtight seal around the window. The magnetic seal ensures that when the Magnetite panels are in place the double-glazed window insulation system has the lowest air infiltration rate of any operational window. This seal creates an air cavity between the existing window and your Magnetite panels.

Why Character Home Owners Choose Magnetite

Acoustic & thermal insulation

Our secondary glazing system is customised for each character home and delivers excellent noise control and thermal efficiency. It's independently tested to reduce noise and heat loss by up to 70%, making it ideal for older villas and bungalows that are particularly susceptible to heat loss and street noise.

No scaffolding or exterior changes

Our system is installed entirely from the inside, ensuring the exterior of your character home remains completely untouched. There's no risk of damaging original joinery, weatherboards, or decorative features during installation.

Increase in property value

Retrofitting your character home with double glazing boosts comfort and energy efficiency, helping to improve resale value while maintaining the original features that buyers love.

Sustainable solution

By enhancing thermal performance and reducing reliance on heating or cooling systems, our double glazing solution lowers energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Keeping your original windows intact also means less waste and a smaller environmental footprint.

Custom installation

Magnetite's retrofit double glazing is custom-fitted to the wide variety of window styles found in character homes, including sash, casement, bay, and leadlight configurations. Our systems are precision-made to complement and preserve the original architecture of your home.

Hear From Some Happy Magnetite Customers!

“I’m super impressed with the product and install! Awesome product, I will be recommending to anyone that will listen. Thanks again for being so easy to deal with, and getting it done so quickly.”

Rachel

“I am thrilled with my ‘new’ windows & can honestly say ‘it’s the best investment I’ve made in my house”

Judy

“Already we think the sound difference from these windows is going to be genuinely life changing!”

Strahan

“I love the double glazing!! Thank you for a great job.”

Wendy

“I’ve noticed such a huge difference with the new windows. That room is warm and even this morning when the master was covered in condensation, there wasn’t a single drop on the nursery windows! Super impressed!”

Rhonnie

Thank you and your staff for being so honest and professional with our dealings. I can honestly say it has made a huge difference in the noise production. My husband is a shift worker and sleeps alot during the day and he has found it to be very good at blocking out the outside world.”

Colleen

Excellent to communicate with and delivered as promised. Lovely people and would happily recommend.

Daniel

I noticed a huge improvement immediately from being very cold, damp, noisy, dusty and then heat and curtain damage from the incoming UV rays to being comfortable and generally better health.

Carolyn

Ryan and his team have been awesome, I highly recommend Magnetite and their system to retrofit secondary glazing on older homes.

Maree

Double Glazing for Character Homes

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