Have you ever thought about how the windows in your home can affect your comfort, especially when the weather outside is too hot? Having double glazing is often necessary to create a comfortable living environment year-round. Find out how double glazing works and why it could be the right choice for your home this summer.
What Is Double Glazing and How Does It Work?
Double glazing is an effective method for controlling the transfer of heat through your windows, thanks to a clever design centred on thermal insulation. The principle is straightforward: two glass panes are positioned parallel to each other, with a gap in between that acts as a thermal barrier.
As heat tries to pass from the warmer side of the window to the cooler side, it meets the gap. Since the gap is either filled with an inert gas like argon or simply left as a vacuum, it contains far fewer particles than air, making it significantly more difficult for heat to travel through. This barrier drastically slows down heat transfer.
The Unknown Summer Benefit
Many of us get double glazing to keep our homes warm during the cold months, and it does an excellent job at that. But what often gets overlooked is how fantastic it is for keeping our homes cool during the hot summer days. For those rare but tough UK heatwaves, having double glazing means you can actually get a good night’s sleep without your home turning into a sauna.
Other Benefits
Protecting Your Home and Health
Did you know that double glazing can protect your health and belongings too? The two panes of glass block out a significant amount of harmful UV rays. By having double glazing, you’re keeping those rays out, making your home a safer and more comfortable place to live.
Saving Energy and the Environment
Installing double-glazed windows means you’ll rely less on heating and cooling devices and also contribute to reducing your carbon footprint. By cutting down on this, double glazing helps you save money in the long run and do your bit for the environment.
Choosing the Right Double Glazing
When shopping for double-glazed windows, look for their energy efficiency rating. This rating, from A+ to G, tells you how good a window is at keeping heat in, with A+ being the top score.
However, it’s important to note that a window’s seal integrity plays a crucial role in maintaining this performance. Over time, if a window’s seal is compromised, it might allow the inert gas between the panes to escape or enable water vapour to enter, leading to condensation within the two panes. This typically suggests the window is no longer performing at its best, deteriorating its heat retention and noise reduction capabilities.
Making the Most of Your Investment
If you’re planning to build a new home or thinking about renovating, positioning your double-glazed windows strategically can maximise their benefits. They can improve cross-ventilation and make use of natural shade, keeping your home even cooler in summer without extra effort.
While it might seem like a bit of an investment initially, the long-term savings and comfort it brings to your home make it worth it.
Thinking about double glazing for your home? Visit Plastic Doctor to learn how we can help or to get in touch directly at 0845 601 8291. We’d be happy to answer your questions and guide you through your double-glazing options.
