Homeowners are investing in options to make their homes more environmentally efficient, and double-glazed windows are one of the most effective ways to do this. They are a great insulator, preventing heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, saving you money on power bills. A pair of glass panels with argon gas between to cut down on heat, and noise, is a simple explanation of what double-glazed windows are.
So how do these amazing windows work? How can a simple window insulate your home from the elements, and from noise pollution? In this article we’ll explain the engineering and science behind double-glazed windows and the benefits of having them in your home.
What is a Double-Glazed Window?
A double glazed window is a type of window with two panes of glass with an open space between them. This gap between the glass is usually filled with a noble gas, such as Argon or Krypton, that insulates your house, keeping it warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
A double-glazed window is an easy way to save money on energy bills and a simple way to reduce outside noise from entering your home.
A double-glazed window is also a statement piece, if you consider fashion terminology. They increase the value of your home and make your home look more stylish, with a higher curb appeal.
The Science Behind Double Glazing
Double-glazed windows are not a simple case of adding an extra pane of glass to your existing window. There is a wealth of science and engineering behind our double-paned windows, such as the material used to construct the frame and the glass for the windows.
Let’s dive into the science and engineering a bit more.
Types of Glass
You can have double-glazed windows using regular panes of glass. It is the gap between the panes, and the gas used, which gives double-glazed windows their insulation and protective qualities.
However, you can improve the effectiveness of your panes of glass with a Low E coating. Low E is short for Low Emissivity, which refers to a lower amount of radiation emitted or absorbed by a surface. Low E coating reduces that transmission of heat, or cold, from the outside through to the inside.
Types of Frames
Windows for Life uses uPVC for all our window frames. You can use wood or aluminium frames, just like regular windows for your double glazed windows, however we’ve found uPVC to be excellent in helping insulate and protect your windows.
uPVC is lightweight and extremely strong with very low maintenance. It’s very much a set-and-forget kind of window frame. They have a very low thermal conductivity rating, so they pair up well with double-glazed windows.
Gases
There are two main gases used with double glazed windows- Argon and Krypton.
Argon gas is a noble gas that does not conduct heat as well as air, hence it is a fantastic insulator. It helps prevent the build up of frost in your windows during winter as well.
Argon is a naturally occuring gas and is non-toxic and non-reactive. If your windows spring a leak, there will be no harm done to you or the environment.
Krypton is another common gas used in double glazed windows. Krypton is denser than Argon and is therefore a better insulator, however it is not as freely available as Argon, and hence costs more. It is also non-toxic so won’t harm you if there is a leak in your window.
Spacer and Desiccant
The spacer is a hollow frame that separates the two panes of glass, keeping them apart. It is often made from aluminium although a polymer material may be used as well.
This spacer strip can include a desiccant, often a type of silicate pellet. This helps absorb moisture such as humidity or any stray water that seeps in from washing the window or rain. Desiccant helps reduce condensation, keeping the windows clear and giving you an unobstructed view to the outside world.
The seals
There are two main seals in a double-glazed pane of glass. The primary seal is between the two panes of glass and wrapped around the spacer. This seal keeps the Argon gas inside the space between the two panes of glass, and keeps the humidity out.
The second seal wraps around the window unit itself and helps hold all the window components together. It prevents any drafts from entering your home once the window is installed.
How Double-Glazed Windows Work
We’ve looked at the science, now let’s look at the engineering.
A double-glazed window unit consists of two panes of glass set between 6-12 mm apart. It has a spacer bar to keep the window panes apart, with desiccant inside that spacer bar to reduce condensation from humidity.
Argon gas is pumped into the space and sealed inside to act as an insulator, slowing the transportation of heat from one side to the other. In summer it slows the heat transfer inside, and in winter it slows the leaking of heat to the outside.
This whole unit is framed with uPVC and installed into your home and looks fantastic.
Double-glazed windows help prevent heat loss, reduce the clamour of outside noises, and increase the security of your home.
How Does Double Glazing Prevent Heat Loss?
The big secret to double-glazed windows’ ability to prevent heat loss is the gap between the panes. Glass, by itself, is not very good at stopping heat. Heat pretty much passes right through the glass, uninterrupted.
The Argon gas between the two panes of glass is a poor conductor of heat. The tiny gap between the panes of glass reduces the amount of space the Argon gas has to move, reducing the convection currents of heat. Heat is vibrational energy. Less room to vibrate, less heat is transferred.
How Does Double Glazing Reduce Noise?
When the sound waves hit the inert Argon gas between the window panes, the sound waves slow down dramatically. While this won’t completely make the outside world silent, it will significantly reduce the noise pollution you experience.
Double-glazed windows can reduce incoming sound by up to 65%, reducing noise to around only 35 decibels. Anything under 30 decibels is considered extremely quiet.
How Does Double Glazing Reduce Condensation?
When warm air inside your home encounters a single paned window and it’s cold outside, that difference in temperature causes the moisture in the warm air to form droplets on the inside of your window. It can be particularly noticeable on cold winter mornings, with temperatures outside dropping very low, compared to the warm insides of your insulated home.
Condensation, over time, can lead to damp damage or the rotting of wooden frames, even the formation of mould, that can have a huge impact on your health.
Double-glazed windows have that barrier between the inside warm air, and the outside cold air – the Argon gas and the desiccant. While it will never be 100% condensation free as there is always a small amount of heat transference, it significantly reduces the amount of condensation you will experience.
Benefits of Double-Glazed Windows
There are significant benefits to having double-glazed windows installed in your home.
- Increased security– Double-Glazed windows are sturdier and more secure than single pane glass. It takes more effort and more noise to break through two solid panes of glass, rather than one. This effort, and noise, can often deter a would-be thief.
- Lower bills– Over time, you’ll find you don’t need to heat your home as much or for as long, or even push your heating to a higher temperature to stay comfortable in winter. Nor will you need to cool your house down as aggressively in summer. This will result in lower energy bills.
- Environmentally friendly– Thanks to the insulation of double-glazed windows helping you lower your energy bills, you will have less impact on the environment. Double-glazed windows can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 680 kgs a year.
- Noise reduction– As mentioned above, double-glazed windows can significantly reduce the noise from the outside world. WIth high rates of urban living, inner-city high rise apartments in metropolitan areas, reducing street noise is a must.
- Reduced condensation– The installation of double-glazed windows reduces condensation forming in your home. This prevents mould from growing, which is bad for your health.
- Higher property value– Double-glazed windows, with all their benefits including better home security, savings on energy bills, and the stylish look that uPVC brings, will raise the value of your home. It is an investment into your future wealth.
Double-Glazed Windows Installation
The best way to have double-glazed windows in your home is through professional installation, either during construction or when replacing old windows in an existing house. This ensures quality workmanship and a perfect fit, eliminating any gaps or leaks.
Our six-step process for installing your windows is as follows:
- Request a Quote – We can do an on-site quote or you provide us with details of the job and we can do an online quote for you.
- Receive the quote – Once we have assessed the work involved, we will send you a quote for the windows and the work.
- Approval to proceed– If you approve the quote, then we’ll get under way with giving your home double-glazed windows.
- Initial down payment – This is to secure the job and to start the project planning and begin to order the materials.
- Installation date – Once your windows are manufactured, we’ll coordinate with you, or your builder, to come on site and install the windows.
- Final check after installation– We are committed to ensuring you have the best experience with us and the best windows on the market. We will check to make sure there’s no nagging issues with the windows we’ve installed, and fix anything that is outstanding. We pride ourselves on the after sales service we give our customers.
You can learn more about how we install double-glazed windows here.
Double-glazed windows are becoming more popular with homeowners looking to save money on energy bills and to feel safe and secure in their homes. Understanding how they work can help you make that decision to invest in your home value and your lifestyle.
If you want to understand more about double-glazed windows and how we can install them for you, then contact us to have a conversation.
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