What is Double Glazing?

The type of windows you install in your property is an important decision because they impact the energy efficiency of your home and your heating costs. The right Type of Window can help keep the heat in when it’s cold outside and cool air in when it’s warm. Double glazed or double pane windows are a popular investment that can make your house more energy efficient and cut your heating costs.

Get a FREE Quote Request a Call Back Claim a Voucher

Double glazing (also known as double or even triple pane windows), is a manufacturing method where two sheets of glass are installed in layers with a vacuum seal in between them or a heavy inert gas such as Argon, Krypton or Xenon. The method helps reduce heat transfer between the panes of glass causing less energy to be lost through the glass. In warm months of the year, cool air can be better managed and during cooler weather, warm air can be kept inside your home more effectively.

Energy Efficiency

One of the biggest benefits of installing Double Glazed Windows is the energy savings they can produce. By some estimates, up to 60% of a home’s energy is lost through the windows. By replacing all or a portion of the windows in your home with double pane windows, you can drastically reduce your energy consumption. As an example if you were to replace all of your single-glazed windows with energy efficient double-glazing could save you around £135 per year on your energy bills. By using less energy, you will reduce your carbon footprint by generating less carbon dioxide (CO2) which leads to global warming.

Not only do double glazed windows keep the climate within your home temperate, they allow the outside elements such as sunlight into your home. Leaving blinds open when it’s sunny in colder winter months can allow sunlight to come into the home and heat it. Also energy efficient windows will reduce unwanted noise from outside your home. Double glazed windows can help to reduce condensation build-up on the inside of your windows.

Layers Do The Trick

The key concept that makes double pane windows work is the two pieces of glass that are vacuum sealed in between. This is a similar concept to wearing layers in colder months of the year. You don’t necessarily need a huge coat when it gets cold outside. Adding more layers of clothing to your body helps retain body heat. The same principles are used in double pane windows. Layers of glass help keep the temperature inside your home consistent.

Glass Types

Double pane windows use a similar glass to single pane. Typically its some variation of tempered glass. The key difference with the double pane is that there are two pieces running parallel that make up the window.

Cost of Double Glazed Windows

It used to be that double glazed windows were more than their single pane counterparts simply because they were a newer, upgraded product class. Home owners could expect to pay 30-40% more for the double glazed version of a window. These days however that is no longer the case. In fact, most windows sold now are double glazed windows and it has become a standard in the window replacement industry. Consumers may be hard pressed to even find a single pane window manufacturer.

If you’re considering new windows for your home and you have the old single pane versions, it’s time for an upgrade. Double Glazed Windows offer many energy saving benefits and can help you recoup your investment by not having to re-heat or re-cool your home.