With electricity bills soaring the sky, double glazed windows are quickly gaining popularity. As the name suggests, such windows feature two layers that insulate the house. Its unique properties ensure that your house remains cool in the summers and much warmer in the winters.
But the question is, is double glazing worth it? The short and simple answer is “Yes, It most definitely is.” While it may cost a few pounds more, it has many benefits that make it worth every extra penny you spend.
The higher cost of double glazing comes from the fact that there are two panes of glass rather than one. Both the panes are placed close together with very little space in between. This space is either vacuum or filled with inert gas such as argon. Either way, it improves insulation so there is plenty of long-term savings to expect.
It Saves More than Just Your Money
We will discuss the money saving part later. We sternly believe that an investment is worth your money if it helps you make a responsible move. As a responsible homeowner, you should also consider the environmental impact of every decision you take and every investment you make. Double glazed windows are environment-friendly as they reduce the energy consumption of any building. Not only do they ensure your comfort in every season, they also let you sleep peacefully knowing that you haven’t added to the damage. Plus, you’re setting a good example for your kids.
So, it doesn’t just save your money in the long run, it ultimately saves the planet. Now to further understand how this works, let’s take a look at how a double glazed window compares with a simple window.
Why a Simple Window Glass Isn’t Enough?
Windows are an important part of any building. Whether it is a commercial building or a residential one, a room without window doesn’t sound good. Glass windows allow for easy access of natural light even when they are closed. However, light isn’t the only thing that can enter or leave through the glass. Heat from the outside can easily penetrate through an ordinary glass window. It is windows contribute to around 40 per cent heat loss in winter. While in summer, more than 80 per cent of the heat from solar gains can enter the home through the window.
Even if you have a proper heating and cooling solution, this unwanted heat flow isn’t ideal. Since more heat will get inside in summer, your cooling system will have to work more. And as the heat will easily escape during winter, you will have to keep the thermostat turned up at higher temperature.
Double glazed windows are the answer to these problems. They are designed to improve insulation so that the heat transfer is minimal throughout the year. In simpler words, this means less heat will escape in winter and solar gain will also be minimal in summer.
This is precisely how your heating and cooling cost will be lowered. Years later, you will realise that you have saved more money than you spent on your double glazed windows.
Double Glazed Windows Maintain the Indoor Air Quality
When speaking of windows, people usually focus entirely on heat and light equation, but those aren’t the only things that can enter through windows. Sometimes, windows can also become the cause of condensation in your home. Condensation occurs when the window pane is cooler than the temperature of the home. When the moisture from the indoor air settles on the cooler pane of the window, it condenses and turns into droplets.
This may not sound like a huge issue, but over the time, this moisture can cause mould and mildew. Not only does it ruin the window frames, it also affects the indoor air quality. It is the air you breathe when you are inside. It can adversely affect your health cause issues such as allergies or infections.
In double glazed windows, the temperature of the inner pane is never cooler than the room temperature. So there is no condensation related problem to deal with. If you think health is your most important asset, then it is an investment that is worth the wealth.
A Positive Impact on the Prospective Property Value
The world is moving towards an eco-friendly culture. Eco-friendly homes are the future. Which means, if you plan to sell your property right now or anytime in the future, double glazing will serve you well. It will add to the value of your house, and you are more likely to get a better price for the property.
Not to mention, when professionally installed, double glazed windows and doors look more aesthetically pleasing than plain old glass windows and doors.
As they say, any investment that has a real impact in the future is definitely an investment worth making. So, even if you don’t plan to keep that property for too long, you will get your money’s worth.
Nothing Is As Important Privacy and Security
Can you really put a price tag on peace and privacy? Besides a comfortable indoor temperature, privacy and security are two factors that make a house feel like a home. Double glazing makes your home soundproof. Even if the property is located right next to the busiest street in the town, you won’t be disturbed by unwanted noises. And if it is in the quietest of neighbourhood, no one will ever complain about noises from your home. It is also the reason workplaces prefer double glazing. Less disturbance, more productivity.
Not to mention, the double glazed pane is thicker, sturdier, and almost impossible to break. That is a major security advantage right there.
That said, you must know that not all double glazed windows are the same. Only an expert can help you find out the ideal thermal efficiency according to your requirements. So, if you really want your double glazing to be worth it, do not settle for anyone but the best in this business.
Another good read is the 10 benefits post we published recently.