Double glazing can have a huge number of benefits for a home. Double glazed windows, doors and conservatories are secure, weatherproof and thermally efficient. The superior levels of thermal efficiency can have a huge impact on your energy bills.
Whether you have recently purchased a new property, you are looking to replace your current double glazing, installing new profiles can be an effective way to save money on your bills.
What is Double Glazing?
Double glazing works by creating a gap of air that insulates a building against heat transfer. This system is formed of two panes of glazing sealed in a unit separated by a spacer bar.
With a space between the panes measuring between 6 and 12s, the air gap will slow down thermal transfer and slow down the movement of heat to stop loss. Air can’t circulate in this narrow space, meaning air convection is slowed and heat transfer is reduced. Think of double glazing as a glass sandwich filled with air.
The cold air will cool the outer panes of glass and is transferred to the space between panes. The glass inside the panes will slow down thermal transfer and will stop the cold or hot air from reaching the inner panes.
How Does Double Glazing Help Save On My Energy Bills?
Depending on its installation, around 18 to 25 percent of heat can be lost through the windows of a house that isn’t double glazed. That is why double glazing is such a good investment.
For improved levels of insulation, there should be a minimum of 16mm spacing between the two panes of glazing. The cavity should be filled with an inert gas like argon as it better reduces heat transfer. There should also be non-metallic separators to keep the panes apart.
Double glazing makes such a huge difference that 2002 building regulations insisted that all replacement windows must be a minimum double glazed C rated – unless the building is a listed building or in a conservation area.
A home with double glazed installations will be more comfortable as it better retains heat and is less draughty. In the warm summer months, the layers of glazing can help to reduce heat radiated from the sun.
What Are The Benefits of Double Glazing?
Double glazing should ideally be installed internally, as this makes it more difficult to remove the glazing externally. This will improve the security of your property.
Once double glazed products are installed into your home, you will also enjoy minimal winter condensation which makes these profiles much easier to maintain. You won’t need to spend time and energy wiping these products down with condensation.
More importantly, your home will be more energy efficient, producing a smaller carbon footprint. As well as delivering superior levels of thermal efficiency, they deliver improved levels of security and offer outstanding acoustic insulation.
What Are Double Glazing Energy Efficiency Ratings?
Double glazing units come with their own energy efficiency ratings. These ratings range from A to G; an ‘A+’ rating represents the best thermal efficiency.
This rating measures the overall energy performance of a window, considering all elements including the glazing and the profile itself. It Is calculated based on the double glazing’s air leakage, thermal efficiency and how much sun enters through it.
B rated double, on average, can save approximately £110-140 a year in heating costs for a standard detached home. This will be a huge saving on energy bills over the lifespan of your installation. The saving for category A or A+ rated glazing would be even higher.
Long Term Investment
Insulating double glazing are a fantastic investment for any home in your local area. We consider our products a long term investment as they will help to lower your energy bills and help your home generally perform to a higher standard.
Not only could our double glazing lower your energy bills, but it could also boost the market value of your property. Quality double glazing can increase the resale value of any property. The return on investment you’ll see when choosing our double glazing ensures these products are a worthwhile purchase.
Once you have decided on the right style for your home, use our free online quote generator to get a price tailored to your requirements.
If you want more information on how to save money on your energy bill, you can get in touch via our online contact form or call the team on 0118 956 6866. We are on hand to help you get the right double glazing solution for your requirements.
For inspiration, you can visit our double glazing showroom in Reading, near Newbury, where you can browse at your own leisure and speak to us in person.
