How does double glazing reduce heat loss?
25th November 2022 - By Jason Clemmit
The gas and electricity market is in crisis. Many households are paying double what they were a year ago, and another huge hike occurred in October. Energy efficiency is currently a hot topic as the temperatures start to drop, with homeowners looking at making improvements to their homes to reduce bills and their carbon footprint.
How do you check heat loss through windows?
On a cold day hold your hand an inch or so from the window and if you feel cold air then you might be losing heat from your home. You could also use the candle test – light a candle and trace the outline of the window, if it flickers or goes out then you certainly have an issue.
One way to improve the energy efficiency of a home is to install double glazed windows, which will keep a home warmer, reduce heating bills and, due to their high acoustic performance, will keep a home quieter (a huge benefit if you live near a busy road, airport, or railway line).
How does double glazing work?
An insulated glass unit (IGU) combines multiple panes of glass into a single window system. The most common IGU has two glass panes (double glazed unit), but three glass panes (triple glazed unit) are becoming more common due to increased energy costs.
The panes of glass are separated by a spacer bar and the space between them is airtight, containing gas or air, which makes the unit insulated and therefore reduces heat loss.
So how does double glazing reduce heat loss through windows?
The air trapped between the two glass panes reduces the heat loss from a property as it is a poor conductor. Heat cannot leave through the window and therefore keeps the room warmer.
The window must be installed correctly, leaving no gaps around the frames to allow cold air to enter the room, or heat to escape. If there are any gaps they should be filled with caulk or expanding foam.
The majority of double glazed windows installed in the UK are manufactured using multi-chambered PVC-U frames which meet all the latest industry requirements for thermal efficiency. There are also modern aluminium and timber framed window options which offer similar levels of efficiency.
Double glazing saves energy, reduces bills and increases the security of a home (two panes of glass are more difficult to break than one!).
Other benefits of double glazing
- Low maintenance – new double-glazed windows only need an occasional wipe down with a mild detergent and do not require staining or painting. Hardware and handles need occasional lubrication.
- Styles – a huge range of styles of double-glazed windows are available, including casement, tilt and turn, fully reversible and vertical sliding sash. Along with a range of colours, glazing and hardware options, it is possible to tailor your new windows to suit your property.
- Durable – PVC-U profiles are tough and durable and will help to reduce heat loss in your home for years to come
- High performance – all windows are manufactured to industry quality standards and carry manufacturer’s warranties
Find a trusted double-glazing installer
If you want to know more about double glazing, and its benefits or find an installer, you can search for a local trader who is certified competent by Certass – a certification body that is authorised by the Government Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities and accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to operate certification schemes. Being UKAS accredited gives Certass a duty to offer impartial, non-discriminatory certification to members, against agreed standards, so by choosing a company that is registered with Certified Competent, you can be sure that the company can do a great job installing your new double-glazed windows.