Double Glazed Windows Benefits : Should You Have One?

Studies show that homeowners experience the majority of home energy loss through windows. This is often caused by windows that are outdated and need to be replaced with more energy efficient windows. One example of windows that are energy efficient is double glazed windows. Below are double glazed windows benefits and why you should consider them for your home.

What Are Double Glazed Windows?

Before getting into the benefits of double glazed windows, it’s important that you first know what these windows are and what makes them different from traditional windows. In short, they’re made of two panes of glass that seal in a gap of air that acts as an extra layer of insulation. It’s the sealed air that gives these types of windows the majority of their benefits. Read more here.

Increasing Energy Efficiency

The first and most obvious benefit of double glazed windows are how energy efficient they are compared to traditional windows. This is thanks to that pocket of sealed air mentioned above. Double glazing energy efficiency is made possible because the sealed air pocket increases the thermal resistance of the window. This means that it helps keep the temperature of your home more comfortable regardless of the temperature outside. For example, this layer of air keeps heat from entering your home during the summer and prevents heat loss through windows during the winter. With the temperature in your home more stable, your HVAC unit works less, which reduces annual energy costs.

Noise Reduction

Beyond saving you money on your annual energy bill, double glazed windows also have noise-reduction properties. Double glazed windows noise reduction is made possible as a result of the trapped air between the two panes of glass. This pocket of air absorbs sound vibrations from outside your home. The result is a quieter home with less street noise. This is a great option for homeowners who live in busy areas or close to the street. Studies show that double glazed glass is extremely effective at blocking high to medium sound frequencies, which are similar to that of someone talking. Changing the thickness of the glass panes used in the double glazed windows will improve this sound reduction even further.

UPVC Frames

No matter how great the glass is in your double glazed windows, your windows can only be as good as their frames. Without a good frame, the trapped air between the two panes of glass can escape. This is why it’s important to use uPVC double glazed windows. UPVC stands for unplasticized polyvinyl chloride. It’s often used in the making of door and window frames because it doesn’t flex like other plastics. It’s also free of phthalates or BPA, which makes it safe. You want your window frames to be sturdy without a lot of flex to them to create a proper seal along the edges of your windows and prevent the glass panes from shifting and releasing the sealed air.

Double Glazed Doors

While it’s important to ensure that all of the windows in your home are double glazed, it’s just as important to make sure that the glass on your doors is double glazed. It’s common for front doors to have windows, but these windows can be hurting the energy efficiency of your home. This also goes for sliding glass doors. Adding double glazed doors gives your home another layer of protection from temperature changes outside and inside.

Cost of Double Glazed Windows

The most common concern that homeowners have about double glazed windows is how much they cost, especially if they’re on a budget. There are many factors that affect the cost of double glazed windows. As you can clearly see, the cost of double glazed windows isn’t a set price. This is good because it means that double glazed windows are affordable on nearly any budget. Even low-end double glazed windows will help your efforts to make your home more eco-friendly.

Double glazed windows are a great investment for any homeowner who wants renovate their windows and to save money on yearly energy costs. However, the benefits of double glazed windows go far beyond that. Noise-reduction properties also help you keep the inside of your home quieter. With these benefits, there’s no reason not to consider adding double glazed windows to your home as part of your next remodeling project.