The Benefits of Double Glazing
If you are in the market for replacement windows for your home, one of the main reasons is likely because you want to increase your home’s heating and cooling efficiency. One of the simplest and most cost effective ways you can do this is by opting for double glazed windows. Double glazing is one of the best things you can do to save money on heating bills; plus, you gain several other attractive benefits as well.
The idea behind double glazing is quite simple. Double glazed windows contain two panes of glass, which are spaces several millimeters apart. The air between the panes of glass forms an insulation barrier that helps keep out heat in the summer, and cold air in the winter. It also effectively reduces the transfer of warm and cool air from your furnace or central air unit.
In order for double glazing to insulate effectively, they must be air tight. A drying agent is used when the windows are manufactured, to ensure that no moisture exists between the panes of glass. If you see condensation on the inside of double glazed windows, it means that the seal has been broken. A broken seal makes it impossible for your windows to keep warm and cool air from escaping from your home.
Single pane windows are notoriously inefficient when it comes to insulating your home. It is estimated that 60 percent of the average home’s heat transfer occurs because of single pane windows. Double glazing significantly reduces this heat transfer – on average, it can save you about 12 percent on your annual energy costs. This means that your savings will pay for the cost of buying double glazed windows very quickly.
Double glazing is environmentally friendly. Home heating and cooling is responsible for about 28 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions – double glazed windows serve to significantly reduce these emissions, limiting your home’s impact on the environment. Combined with the significant reduction in energy loss, this makes replacing your single pane windows with double glazed windows an excellent choice for your home.
One of the most dramatic benefits of double glazing is the reduction in noise pollution. When you replace your single pane windows with double glazed windows, you will hear less street noise and other sounds from outside your home. This makes your time at home quieter and more peaceful, allowing you to more fully enjoy home ownership.
Double glazed windows offer an extra layer of security for your home. They are far more difficult to break than single pane windows, so intruders will be less likely to enter into, and take items from, your house. Most windows that feature double glazing also offer a strong locking system, offering even greater security.
If you are planning on selling your home, double glazed windows are an excellent selling point. Homes that feature double glazed windows typically sell much faster, and for higher prices, than homes with single pane windows. This is because they are more attractive, and will allow the new owner to save money on heating and cooling costs.