How double glazed windows improve thermal efficiency

Though double glazing has become more common in recent years, as well as being standard for most new builds, there are still a great number of homeowners in the UK that have yet to replace their old single glazed windows.

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at how double glazed windows function to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

How double glazing works

With a single glazed window, one glass pane serves as the barrier between your home and the outdoors. As we will talk about later, this is inefficient due to the heat conducting properties of glass.

Double glazing, on the other hand, uses two panes. Not only that, the layer of air between these sheets plays just as valuable a part in insulating your home as the extra glass.

This is also the case for the window frame. Unlike with single glazing, double glazed window frames provide more space to include an insulating framework. Including airtight seals with air chambers throughout. As we’ll talk about next, these pockets of air are highly beneficial.

Why is Double Glazing more effective at insulating your home?

As glass is a fantastic conductor of heat, single glazed windows do very little to prevent the transfer of heat. Whether it’s going in or out. This will mean that you end up overspending on heating and energy bills in the long run.

Double glazing is effective because whilst glass is a good conductor of heat, air is not. The air pocket between the two panes of glass, therefore, creates a seal against the outdoors. This reduces the transfer of heat. Some double glazed windows can even be filled with gases that conduct heat less well than air, such as Argon and Krypton. These increase the cost slightly but improve energy ratings even further.

What about triple glazing?

Whilst triple glazing is an option, it can be prohibitive in terms of cost. Potentially up to two times that of a double glazed window. As well as this triple glazed windows are noticeably larger than double glazed units. This is due to the large frame required to house the extra panel of glass. Meaning that you’ll have less range of motion when opening and closing your window. Plus, the extra frame may have an intrusive amount of overhang which could interfere with the furniture and fittings surrounding it.

Though Triple glazing may seem like a logical choice, the extra investment may not be worth it. In much colder climates such as Finland, where triple glazing is common, the extra protection is a necessary cost. For the UK’s milder climate, however, this is not the case.

If you’re looking for high quality double glazed uPVC windows, our Liniar window systems provide unbeatable energy efficiency and a wide range of customizability options.

free online quote using our quote builder tool today, or find your nearest DGN window installer using our locator.