Double glazed windows refer to windows that have an open space between the panes of glass. This open space, which is usually filled with a gas such as Argon or Krypton, provides additional insulation and results in a stronger window compared to more traditional single pane windows.
When double glazed window panes are fitted into a framing material like uPVC, they offer a multitude of benefits contributing to the living comfort, energy efficiency, and value of your home.
How does double glazing work?
Here’s how the various aspects of double glazed windows combine to work on your behalf:
The connection between glass panels is achieved using a metal or polymer strip called a spacer or spacer bar; this strip may also include a desiccant that absorbs and dries out any humidity in the trapped space, removing the risk of mould or condensation.
The panes of glass are spaced by around 6 to 20mm to create an optimal air gap to reduce heat and sound. These panes can vary in material depending on the placement and budget requirements established in consultation, with options such as toned or low-E glass providing additional performance benefits.
Insulation is achieved by filling the gap between the glass panes with a low conductivity gas which essentially provides a buffer between the temperature outside and your home, slowing down heat transmission and equipping your home with superior insulation.
Double Glazed Windows vs Single Glazed Windows
With minimal barriers to prevent heat loss and absorption, single-glazed windows can lose up to 31% of your home’s heat! With the home heating & cooling required to support traditional single-glazed windows, they can become energy guzzlers in comparison to double glazed windows – making them troublesome for your wallet, home and environmental footprint. Comparatively, double glazed windows provide up to three times better thermal insulation, reduced electricity bills & better durability.
A common argument favouring single-glazed windows is that they are cheaper compared to double glazed windows. However, this argument is actually quite weak: considering the higher electricity bills and potential repairs associated with single glazed windows, the cheaper initial cost could negatively impact your finances over time.
Double Glazing in Australia
With a promise of increased insulation efficiency, double glazed uPVC windows are an appealing alternative to single glazed windows. This is most evident in Australian households, where the heating and cooling required to offset extreme temperatures can contribute up to 80% of the average electricity bill.
By installing uPVC double glazed windows in your Australian home, you can expect to see a 40% reduction in heat loss and 30% reduction in heat gain — keeping you warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Additionally, your uPVC window frames will further reduce thermal conductivity by up to 1000 times compared to more traditional aluminium frames.
This isn’t a minor issue for Australian residents, with estimates showing that half of all heat loss and an estimated 87% of heat gain experienced during our vastly varying seasons is primarily due to poor window and door installation choices. Windows for Life combats this issue for you with our uPVC double glazed windows, which use the excellent insulating properties of uPVC to provide even greater energy efficiency.
Benefits of Double Glazed Windows
uPVC double glazed windows are not only proven to put a much-needed buffer between you and the Australian climate, but they also provide countless other benefits such as:
- UV reduction
- Healthier living environment
- Eco-friendly
- Noise reduction
- Security
UV Reduction
Double glazing can reduce the number of ultraviolet rays that enter your home by up to 75%, increasing the lifespan and appearance of household fixtures such as carpets, wood and fabric.
Healthier Living Environment
Not only will double glazing reduce UV rays making your natural home light safer and kinder to your skin, but it will also reduce the chances of condensation and subsequent mould growth. Additionally, the uPVC frames will provide even greater airtightness against the entrance of allergens into your home.
Eco-Friendly
Double glazing can improve your home Energy Rating Assessment by up to 50%, resulting in reduced emissions associated with cooling or heating your home. Both our double glazed window glass and uPVC window frames are fully recyclable, with our uPVC window frames further reducing emissions through high thermal efficiency, multi-chambered energy-efficient design, and double compression seals.
Noise Reduction
Through double glazing, you can expect to see a significant noise reduction of up to 60% due to the increased absorption of sound vibrations and frequencies. Pair this up with the noise-reduction qualities of our uPVC window frames for a more peaceful living environment.
Security
Twice the glass equals twice the barrier, with double glazing offering increased protection to your home. Combined with the durable and stable characteristics of uPVC, potential home intruders will have a hard time getting through this dense and secure installation alternative — and the same goes for any accidental damage.
uPVC Double Glazed Windows
uPVC is the perfect framing material to combine with double glazing due to its similar beneficial properties. uPVC, which stands for unplasticised polyvinyl chloride, is a durable and reasonably priced framing material.
Ultimately, uPVC provides almost identical benefits to double glazing, with a proven increase in insulation performance directly influencing the thermal and sound-reduction properties of your window installation. This results in a superior alternative to typical metal frames, which instead conduct heat and counteract the efficiency of a double glazed solution. Furthermore, uPVC remains consistent with the eco-friendly benefits offered by double glazing, allowing homeowners confidence in the sustainability of their window choice.
How Effective is Double Glazing
Double glazing is an extremely effective solution for your home, and here are the numbers to prove it:
- Double glazing can reduce the amount of UV rays entering your home by up to 75%
- Double glazed windows can improve your home Energy Rating Assessment by up to 50% when properly designed and installed
- Double glazed windows can reduce noise by up to 40 dB
- Two layers of glass make it twice as hard to break through
Is Double Glazing Worth It?
While it is true that double glazed windows are more expensive than their single glazed counterparts, the cost is definitely worth it. Homeowners nationwide are increasingly seeking cost-saving alternatives to help get through the temperamental Australian climates without breaking the bank, and uPVC double glazed windows are one of the best solutions.
With the average Victorian energy bill sitting at $1012 per annum in 2021 according to Canstar Blue, installing double glazed windows could see you save around 30% of energy or $303 per annum. Not only can uPVC double glazed windows improve your living comfort, electricity expenses, security and eco-footprint, they are also known to increase property value.
The Australian property market is as competitive as ever, with homeowners employing any number of improvements and additions to bolster their assets and double glazing is no exception. ACT homeowners have reported an increase of over 10% in average resale value due to the addition of double glazed windows, and you can be sure that potential buyers and renters will appreciate the many benefits of uPVC double glazed windows.
To learn more about our uPVC double glazed windows, contact our specialised team today. We’ll guide you towards a more comfortable and energy-efficient home.
