When it comes to choosing the best windows for your home, there are many options. It can be confusing to decide which are best suited to you and your needs.
The most common choice for homeowners is double glazing windows. This type of window consists of two panes of glass separated by a vacuumed gap filled with gas.
Energy Efficiency
Double glazing windows are an ideal way to make your home more energy efficient. They’re able to save you money on your energy bills thanks to their insulating properties.
They also help to keep the cold out and the heat in, helping you to control your indoor temperature so that you can stay comfortable. This helps to reduce your heating and cooling costs, as well as your carbon footprint.
You can even improve your double glazed windows’ energy efficiency further by inserting argon gas into the air space between the panes. This slows down the flow of thermal energy, which means less of it gets absorbed by the glass and radiates outside.
Noise Insulation
The amount of noise your windows are able to block depends on a number of factors. These include the thickness of the glass, the type of material that surrounds the window, and whether it has gaps around its frame that leak sound.
Double glazed windows offer greater noise insulation than single glazed ones because they have two panes of glass separated by a space filled with air or inert gas. As a result, every time a sound wave hits the glass it has to pass through more chambers before it gets inside.
Durability
Single glazing consists of only one pane of glass within the window frame. It’s flimsy and can easily break, making it less durable than double glazed windows.
The space between the two panes of glass in double glazing (insulated glass units or IGUs) is filled with inert gas or a tight vacuum, providing an extra layer of insulation. This is important for energy efficiency, as it helps to prevent heat from escaping through the window and keeping your home cooler in winter.
Security
Security is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing new windows for your home. According to Office for National Statistics data, around 70% of break-ins occur through a door and 30% through a window*.
A simple way to increase the security of your single glazed windows is by installing security films onto your glass panes. These films are designed to stop shards of glass from shattering, and are particularly effective at 8 mil+ thickness.
They also come in a range of sizes and can be applied to any type of glass, including old and damaged single glazed windows.
Make Your Choice
If you are choosing between single- and double-glazed windows for your home, double glazing offers advantageous features for upgrade. Such as, increased property value, insulation, security, and durability. In the long term, double glazing means you will not have to worry about replacing your windows again for around 20-30 years.