Tired of high energy bills, noisy neighbours, and draughty rooms? Perhaps it is now time to switch to double-glazing windows. While keeping the house at a reasonable temperature, they really do block outside noise while adding security and probably increasing the value of your property. Let’s dive deep into all that you need to know about double-glazing windows and why they are worth investing in.
What are Double Glazing Windows?
In their most basic form, double-glazing windows consist of two panes of glass with a void between them filled with either captured air or argon gas. This spacing facilitates an insulating barrier, which acts to keep the heat in and out of your home. The result? A more comfortable living environment and reduced energy bills.
How Do They Work?
This is because of the insulating gap between the two panes, which slows down the rate of movement of heat; as such, it cannot easily escape during winter or enter during summer. The added insulation layer blocks unwanted noise, and hence double glazing is ideal for homes located along busy or noisy areas.
Why Choose Double Glazing Windows?
Superior Energy Efficiency
One of the best ways to improve energy efficiency in your house is with double glazing. Doubles keep heat inside during winter and outside during summer; hence, the heating and cooling systems are not put to work overtime, hence saving so much on energy bills.
Quick fact: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, houses that switch to double-glazed windows reduce heat loss by up to 50 percent, making it therefore not just practical but also eco-friendly.
Noise Reduction
Do you live in a nosier part of the area? Maybe it faces a busy road or airport or even school. Double-glazing does a good job of keeping most of that outside noise outside of your home. With the two panes of glass and the insulating gap coming to act as sound barriers, a person can thus enjoy peace inside his house.
Better Security
Double-glazed windows also provide added security to the older single-glazed windows. The two layers of glass just make it that little bit more difficult for intruders to break in. Many double-glazed windows now boast stronger frames and multi-point locks, further adding security to your property.
Increased Property Value
It is, however, always a good investment to install double-glazed windows in place of single-glazed windows, if this hike up the market value of your house. Energy-efficient homes are at demand, and would-be buyers often consider it worth paying more for properties featuring double glazing.
Better Insulation Against Condensation
Condensation on the windows is such a pain, especially during cold months. In double glazing, however, the inside glass pane is allowed to stay warmer, hence reducing instances of condensation. This would mean less moisture building up inside that may help in preventing mold and other damp-related issues.
Types of Double Glazing Windows
In regards to the materials and design that you can use for double-glazing your windows, a number of options are at your disposal. A look into some of the more popular types includes:
Aluminium Double Glazing
The aluminium double-glazing windows are more modern sleeker design. Besides, they are solid and light with a resistance to corrosion for houses facing coastal areas or those that are exposed to very extreme weather conditions. Relatively much more expensive than their uPVC cousins, aluminium offers a modern look and durability.
Wooden Double Glazing
Wood double-glazing window frames also give an eternal organic feel that may appeal to older homes or properties in conservative places. The wood sashes, however require much more care than uPVC or aluminium to support protect them against rotting and weathering. Nonetheless, the attractiveness and character of wooden windows always attract enough number of the homeowners.
Composite Double Glazing
Composite windows combine timber and aluminium in strength, energy efficiency, and greatly reduced maintenance compared to wood windows. Generally, composite windows will appear as a clad aluminium on the exterior, while the inner faces are timber for thermal insulation and appearance.
How Is The Installation Of Double Glazing Windows Done?
Installation of double-glazing windows is relatively easy; however, it is always best left to the professionals. What to expect with installing these types of windows is described here in these simple steps:
Step 1: Initial Consultation
A window fitter will offer you a free consultation in which before the commencement of work, he will come to see the existing windows, will ask for your requirement, and even help in selecting double-glazing window which will best suit your house needs.
Step 2: Measuring and Ordering
Once the selection has been made, the fitter will take precise measurements of the window frames. These measurements are taken and used in manufacturing your new double-glazed windows to fit your window frames. Your windows will be made up to your size.
Step 3: Removing Old Windows
The installation personnel will remove your old windows with great care. The team ensures minimum invasion into the inside of the walls and the window frames. Therefore, it is usually a quick process and has very little disturbance on your house.
Step 4: Installing New Double Glazing Windows
New Double-glazed windows are fitted into the window aperture. Our installers shall seal each window accordingly to avoid drafts and ingression of moisture in your house.
Step 5: Final Check
They will then proceed to a final check to make sure the windows are safe and well operational. The team may also give you some useful tips on their maintenance and answer any question that you may have.
How Much Do Double Glazing Windows Cost?
It’s all relative when talking about the cost of double-glazing windows, since this figure is going to depend on a lot of other ones: things such as the size of your house, the type of material involved in its making, and how many windows you’re wanting to change. Generally speaking, however, double-glazing windows are going to cost anywhere between £400 and £600 per window in the U.K. Although it is a bit of an investment, much of the time, it seems to pay for itself in savings on energy and in the value added to your house.
Financing and Payment Plans
This is because most firms give financing options or payment schemes that allow one to distribute the installation cost. Consult for these options at this stage, and it makes the investment fairly more palatable.
How to Maintain Your Double Glazing Windows
These double-glazing windows have been made to be low maintenance; however, a little care goes a long way in ensuring their service life. Here is how you can maintain your windows in beautiful condition without taking much pain:
Clean the glass regularly with a soft cloth and non-abrasive cleaner. Severe chemicals must not be used because they will damage either the seals or the glass.
Seals Seals shall be checked for wholeness and freedom from cracks from time to time. Damaged seals can come up and cause condensation hence a reduction in the effectiveness of insulation.
Hinges and locks Hinges and locks shall be lubricated at least once a year for smooth operation against rusting.
Immediately address the build-up of condensation between panes of glass. Double glazing does eliminate condensation, but having this between panes would signal a problem with the seal. That would take professional intervention .
Double Glazing Windows vs. Triple Glazing: What’s the Difference?
While double glazing is really excellent for most homes, there are those people who would want to consider an upgrade: triple glazing. In summary, triple glazing merely adds an extra pane of glass, boosting even more the insulation and noise reduction. Considering that one gets a dramatic uplift by upgrading from single to double glazing, benefits accruing from triple glazing are often marginal.
Is Triple Glazing Worth the Extra Cost?
The return on investment for triple glazing may be well worth it in most extremely cold weather conditions or very noisy areas. For the majority of homeowners, though, double glazing offers more than adequate insulation and soundproofing at much lesser costs.
Environmental Impact of Double Glazing Windows
Double-glazing your windows has been good for your wallet and the environment. This is so because, by doing it, you enhance energy efficiency, hence reducing the carbon footprint of the household. That would just mean less emission of greenhouse gases, which already is a step in the right direction for the planet.
Did You Know? It is said by Energy Saving Trust that double-glazing windows may even be able to cut carbon emissions by as much as 680 kg yearly, since it reduces energy waste for your home.
Conclusion: It’s Time to Upgrade to Double Glazing?
In summary, Double-glazing windows are worth every penny spent owing to the wide array of benefits provided by them. Whatever the reason might be, it may be saving energy, noise reduction, providing security, or giving value to your home, they are highly effective in all of them.
