Comfortable working environment
Well-designed secondary glazing systems offer a cost effective method of almost eliminating draughts, retaining more heat and keeping the unwanted sounds of the city out. This will lead to a more comfortable work space and a helpful reduction in energy bills. Secondary glazing traps an insulating layer of air between the glass panes and if low emissivity glass is incorporated, heat loss can be reduced by up to 65%. This will help improve the energy performance of the building contributing towards a higher rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or an improved BREEAM rating. These measures make a building more attractive for both sale or lease and assist with the wider commitment to carbon reduction. MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) apply to the majority of private landlords. These standards require private and leased properties to hold a valid EPC certificate of Grade E or higher; or a valid exemption certificate for a new tenancy. What constitutes grounds for exemption is still under consultation.64-65 Sloane Street
Warmer

Quieter working
Many offices are located close to transport links and in busy town centres where outside noise levels are high, which can distract attention and make people less efficient at work. The recommended ambient noise level in a meeting room is 35-40dB and a cell office 40-50dB, whereas outside street noise levels can be 70-80dB.Laboratory tests demonstrate that Selectaglaze secondary glazing set 100-150mm from the primary window and fitted with standard glass can substantially reduce noise levels by 42-45dB and even higher levels if a heavier glass is chosen.
A good work environment provides a sense of wellbeing and encourages efficiency, an important consideration when it is estimated that we spend more than 10 years of our lives in the work place.
Factors that contribute towards the environment include a comfortable temperature and acceptable noise levels. Newly constructed offices can be purpose designed to provide the very best conditions but large numbers of offices are still found within older buildings, often in city centres or around transport hubs. These were constructed with less thermally efficient materials and in times when noise was not quite such an issue. The windows in particular do not retain heat well, are often draughty and usually acoustically inefficient.