The benefits of double glazed windows

Windows are definitely an item to take care of on your home construction or renovation list, and sooner or later, you will need to choose between single and double glazed windows. It is common knowledge that the latter insulates the home better, although it comes at a higher price. If you are wondering whether it is really worth investing in double glazed windows, the points listed below will help you make the right choice.

How do they work?

The reason that double glazed windows provide good insulation is the trapped air in the space maintained between the two glass panes. This air works in three ways, with the first being to reduce the transfer of hot or cold air between the outdoors and indoors of the home. It also prevents condensation within the home when the outdoor temperature is much colder than that inside. Further, double glazed windows keep all external noise out, thereby making your home more peaceful to live in.

It’s important to note that double glazed windows only provide insulation from hot air temperatures and not from radiant heat. This means that they are not capable of preventing the heat of the sun’s rays from entering your home. If you want to achieve this, you need to get your single or double glazed windows tinted with special UV light-blocking film.

The benefits of using double glazed windows

Some main benefits of double glazed windows are:

• Energy efficiency: Double glazing adds to your home’s insulation, which in turn reduces your electricity accounts.
• They reduce noise: This is done by reducing sound transmission via your windows by up to 70 per cent.
• Ability to use a wider variety of window coverings: Glazed windows make it possible for you to use any type of window covering, as there is no need to prevent heat and cold from entering the home. You can opt for any covering, ranging from blinds and lightweight curtains to no blinds at all for those who want to keep their views unblocked.
• Condensation reduction: double glazing lowers the condensation that usually forms on the interior of your window.
• Improved security: Security is enhanced as denser glass is used with the conversion to double glazing. There is also an additional pane, which in turn, boosts safety. You can opt to improve security even further with a special glass that has been laminated.

Style and colour choices

Another great benefit is the fact that with these windows you have a variety of options that you can choose from. They are available in many styles including awning, casement, tilt and slide, and fixed.

Double glazed options for your doors

Double glazing is also a great option for glass doors. Double glazed front doors come with a range of options. From single doors and double doors to French doors, there are a variety of stylized doors for you to choose from. Another benefit of opting for a double glazed door is that they are available in traditional as well as modern styles enabling you to select a front door that fits in with the general theme of the rest of your home. 

Protective-coated windows

An alternative to double glazed windows is having protective-coated windows. Additionally, you can have a protective coating applied to you double glazed windows for extra insulation. This special coating blocks UV rays and heat to help keep your home cool in the summer, without having to kick on the air conditioner. The protective coating also keeps the heat from escaping your home during the winter so that you can keep your home warm without having to blast the heater 24/7.

There are two main types of special coatings that are applied to protective-coated windows, which are liquid coatings and e-glass coatings. Liquid coatings utilise nano-technology to make a virtually invisible but extremely durable coating that can be applied to any window.

The big advantage of protective coatings is that they can be applied to your existing windows, so you won’t have to spend money buying new glass.

E-glass protective coatings are special coatings that reflect UV rays and heat. Soft coat and hard coat e-glass protective coatings are available. Soft coats can only be used on double-glazed windows. Hard coats can be used on single or double-glazed windows.

The disadvantage to e-glass protective coated windows is that the coating has to be applied at the factory, so you will either have to purchase new window glass or remove your existing windows and send them to the factory to be coated.

The price of double glazed windows 

With these benefits, though, comes the cost. Most people compare the price of double glazed windows to regular windows and think that the overall cost is too high. Although the initial installation is pricey, double glazed windows save you money over time because of their energy efficiency. The insulation keeps the warm/cool air inside during the colder/warmer months, which in turn allows you to use your heater and air conditioner less. With electricity bills only growing larger and larger, anything that you can do to stem the tide is worth it in the grand scheme of things. It’s much better to pay a little more now for double glazed windows than pay for your choice in the years to come if you decide not to install them.

Believe it or not, double glazed windows actually cover their own cost pretty quickly and not just where your energy bill is concerned. With double glazed windows, you won’t need heavy curtains (which are definitely expensive). You can opt for a lighter window treatment instead. Whatever your window needs are, double glazed windows are a sensible option for the overall cost and energy efficiency of your home.