What Does Single Glazing Cost and What Should You Look For?

1. Average material costs per m² (incl. VAT)

These prices apply to standard sizes, clear or lightly tinted single glass.

2. Total costs including installation

The installation costs are relatively high in relation to the material, especially for small quantities or difficult to access locations.

3. Possible extra costs

4. Comparison with insulating glass

Important conclusion: single glass is cheaper to purchase, but causes structural energy loss, high heating costs and insufficient comfort. It is also not eligible for any subsidy or energy label improvement.

5. Applications of single glass (limited and specific)

• Interior doors or glass partitions
• Decorative glazing in furniture or display cabinets
• Conservatories, storage rooms or sheds where insulation is not a factor
• Listed buildings, sometimes in combination with secondary glazing

For facade applications in homes, single glazing does not meet the current standards of the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (Bbl).

6. Advice from the market

Glass companies, including providers on jeofferte.nl, only recommend single glazing for:

• Indoor use without thermal requirements
• Cheap temporary applications
• Monumental renovation with pre-approved exceptions

For facade glazing, replacement with at least HR++ glass is almost always required or financially more advantageous in the long term.

Summary:

1. Type of single glazing

The thicker or more processed the glass, the higher the production costs and the weight (thus more expensive assembly).

2. Dimension and Cutting Loss

For small windows, the proportion of assembly and transport is relatively large. Large panes reduce the m² price but increase the risk of breakage during placement.

3. Placement conditions

Assembly at height, inside a monumental building or in difficult to reach places almost always leads to additional costs.

4. Labor Costs and Finishing

In homes with existing glazing, the price increases due to demolition, removal and repair work.

5. Number of pieces and project scope

Larger projects benefit from economies of scale: the same trip, work preparation and scaffolding can be spread over several meters.

6. Other factors

Summary cost framework (2025)

Conclusion

The price of single glass in 2025 is determined by:

• Type and thickness of the glass
• Application-specific customization
• Accessibility and installation time
• Number of pieces and project size

Although the basic material is cheap, total prices can increase considerably for small or difficult-to-access applications. For all facade applications, it is advisable to consider using HR++ glass, especially since single glass is not eligible for subsidy and significantly decreases the value of a home.

1. Thermal insulation and energy consumption

Single glazing has a very high U-value of ± 5.8 W/m²K, which means that heat is quickly lost. For comparison:

Consequence:

• Very high heating costs
• Uncomfortable indoor climate (cold draughts, drafts, condensation)
• Risk of mold growth at low indoor temperatures

2. Legal restrictions

According to the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (Bbl) and the NEN 1068 for thermal insulation, the use of single glazing in facades is not permitted in new construction or renovation, unless there is:

• A monumental status with exemption from permit requirements
• A temporary facility, such as a construction site office or storage
• Indoor application without insulation requirements

In almost all other cases, a rejection is determined during building inspections or energy label tests when single glazing is found in facades.

3. Subsidy impossibilities

Single glazing is excluded from:

• ISDE subsidy
• Energy label improvement
• Low-interest sustainability loans

Consequence:
The purchase price of single glazing may be lower, but you miss out on all possible financial incentives that make HR++ and HR+++ glass attractive.

4. Limited function and safety

Single glass:

• Offers no sound insulation
• Is not burglar-resistant
• Can cause serious injury if broken, unless hardened or laminated
• Is susceptible to thermal stress fracture when exposed to sunlight or shade

Therefore, in 2025, almost every functional outdoor application will opt for at least HR++ glass, possibly in combination with safety glass (NEN 3569).

5. Applications where single glazing is still suitable

6. Long-term vision: choosing replacement

Although the initial costs of single glazing are relatively low (an average of €70 – €90 per m² incl. installation), the following must be taken into account when used in facades:

• Structurally higher energy costs (loss of €25–€30 per m² per year)
• Lower property value and worse energy label
• Negative assessment for rental or sale
• Higher chance of moisture problems and user complaints

Professional advisors, such as those via jeofferte.nl, recommend replacement with HR++ or HR+++ glass in almost all cases, especially when heating the room.

Conclusion

In 2025, single glazing is only suitable for very specific applications such as indoor spaces, temporary solutions or monuments. For all other situations, its use is technically unfavorable, legally restricted and economically unwise.

Important considerations are:

• Very poor insulation
• No subsidy options
• Poor sound and burglary protection
• Poor score on energy label or structural survey

With facade glazing, replacement with at least HR++ glass is almost always required. A quote via jeofferte.nl can provide insight into the possibilities for replacement, subsidies and energy savings.