What is the smallest glazing bar you supply?

Unik Funkis supply windows with glazing bars as thin as 19mm.

What is the largest glazing bar you supply?

64mm, before we need to move toward having full frame transoms and mullions which physically split the glass.

How do I clean a glazing bar?

The same way you clean the frame, a little washing-up liquid on a microfibre cloth is best.

Can I have glazing bars on an Aluminium-clad Timber window?

Yes, they will be aluminium externally and timber internally to match.

I have glazing bars now, do I need to have glazing bars on my new windows?

Usually, if you want to get new windows with fewer glazing bars than your current windows then you will need to check with your local conservation officer. If you’re not in a conservation area, you can usually do as you please!

Does adding glazing bars make the window less efficient?

Yes. Even with fake spacer bar within the glass unit, rather than a physical separation, the U value of a window with glazing bars will be worse than the equivalent size and configuration without any bars.

How long will my glazing bars last?

Your glazing bars will last as long as the window itself; all of our timber windows are designed to last upward of 50 years.

Glazing Bars – Timber and Composite Windows

Table of Contents:

In General – a Very Brief Summary
Bars within the glass unit (or “Georgian” Bars)
Larger Glazing Bars – Modern and Traditional
Should you even have glazing bars at all?
Common Questions

Due to our large product range, there are many details our consultation team must consider in order to find the best product for you. Glazing bars are available for almost all our products, with slight variations in style and width. Within this article, we will show options from our factories. Hopefully, finding a style fit for you.

In General – a Very Brief Summary

Internal view of a traditional white timber window with glazing bars

Our thinner bars are between 19-25mm thick. We can give them either a modern angular style, or a more traditional moulded and tapered appearance. These bars do not physically separate the glass unit. We place a fake spacer bar within the glass unit itself – giving the impression that the panes are separate. Then the timber and aluminium bars adhere to the glass surface. This is an “astragal bar” and is the best way to maintain the window’s airtightness and insulation characteristics.

On the other hand, some projects require a thicker bar. These do physically separate the glass, and we make them up to 64mm wide. Similarly, you can choose a more traditional or modern design. This style is more popular within doors or other larger glass areas.

As you would expect, choosing a timber-only window will result in having timber bars. However, aluminium-clad timber windows will have aluminium bars on the exterior and timber bars on the timber interior.

Unik Funkis Glazing Bars 19mm 28mm and 42mm

19mm, 28mm, and 42mm Unik Funkis Glazing Bars

Thin Traditional Glazing Bars (Astragal Bars)

Arguably, the most popular type of bar. This style is perfect to create a classical appearance within rural areas.

For the exterior a groove is present to mimic the traditional look of individual panes of glass.

While the exterior varies slightly for each product, the inside remains consistent. A 25mm wide and curved, moulded timber that matches the colour or finish of the frame.

Within the glazing unit itself, the spacer bar will match the colour of the frame spacer bar. Depending on the product choice, this will be either black, or a very light grey (almost white). The only very minor difference is that the spacer for the glazing is normally a tiny bit thinner in depth, but this is barely noticeable.

Thin Modern Glazing Bars (Also Astragal Bars)

Our most popular modern bars are relatively flat, with 90° angles both inside and out. The groove on the exterior bar is present on some products.

Although this is a more modern design, it can work equally well within an older property. We can even match a natural timber finish on the interior to push further towards a traditional style.

Saying this flatter, more right-angled style is more “modern” is open for discussion. Interestingly, a customer who had lived in Germany for many years felt this style of bar was actually the more traditional of the styles.

This is why there are so many options to choose from. Our aim is to have the perfect option for everyone.

Bars within the glass unit (or “Georgian” Bars)

Not a common request, however useful in areas where this is a requirement by local councils to match the surrounding properties. They are only available in white, and manufactured by only one of our Danish factories.

We position these bars within the glass unit. Unlike astragal bars, manufacturers design them to have a fully-finished appearance without adhering to any physical bars on the outside of the glass.

There are some advantages to this style: Georgian bars will block less natural light. This is because you can see much more past the bar than you would with a full-depth astragal. They are also cheaper to produce as they use less materials and require less production time.

Furthermore, if cleaning windows is a job that you would like to make easier, cleaning around astragal bars can be annoying. However, Georgian bars will not get in the way while you’re cleaning the glass.

Larger Glazing Bars – Modern and Traditional

We say “large” bars start from 42mm and continue up to 64mm thick. Most options have the same modern or traditional styles as our thinner bars.

Similar to the thinner astragal bar variants, the spacer bar will match the colour of the outer frame spacer bar.

The same general rules apply from the thinner options: moulding details, angles, painted finishes and timber stains are all the same. Aside from the thickness difference, the main change is that the bar will physically separate the panes of glass either side of it.

Should you even have glazing bars at all?

Simply put, if you’re not keen on the design effect that glazing bars have, and they are not a requirement for your local area, we recommend leaving them off your shopping list. It’s very easy to spend a lot of money on bars.

More images from this project can be found in our Modern Executive House Refurbishment gallery.

We priced up some example units to see how different bar combinations affected the price. The results are below.

That said, if you like the designs, go for it. We build our windows to last a lifetime; so it’s important to include items that you know you’ll miss having further down the line.

Our manufacturers supply and deliver all our glazing bars already attached to the glass unit. Where appropriate there will be a coloured internal glass spacer sealed within the glass unit. Our manufacturers cannot retrofit the bars they use to existing units.

Common Questions

What is the smallest glazing bar you supply?: Unik Funkis supply windows with glazing bars as thin as 19mm.
What is the largest glazing bar you supply?: 64mm, before we need to move toward having full frame transoms and mullions which physically split the glass.
How do I clean a glazing bar?: The same way you clean the frame, a little washing-up liquid on a microfibre cloth is best.
Can I have glazing bars on an Aluminium-clad Timber window?: Yes, they will be aluminium externally and timber internally to match.
I have glazing bars now, do I need to have glazing bars on my new windows?: Usually, if you want to get new windows with fewer glazing bars than your current windows then you will need to check with your local conservation officer. If you’re not in a conservation area, you can usually do as you please!
Does adding glazing bars make the window less efficient?: Yes. Even with fake spacer bar within the glass unit, rather than a physical separation, the U value of a window with glazing bars will be worse than the equivalent size and configuration without any bars.
How long will my glazing bars last?: Your glazing bars will last as long as the window itself; all of our timber windows are designed to last upward of 50 years.