In Australia, we are particularly prone to extreme weather. Depending on your area, your house may have to handle extreme heat and cold at different times of the year. For this reason, it is vital that your property has the best windows to keep out the weather.
In this blog, we will cover the benefits of quality double-glazed windows.
How Double Glazing Works
Double glazing is commonly used to enhance the insulating properties of a window. As the name implies, double-glazed windows feature two panes of glass with a gap in between. This gap is typically 6-12mm and is normally filled with air or argon gas. This gas is denser than air and is often used because it further reduces heat transfer by conduction and convection within the gap.
Some double-glazed windows include low-emissivity (Low-E) glass. This type of glass has a special coating that reflects radiant heat back into the room, further enhancing insulation.
Double-glazed windows are also great at stopping noise from the outside from coming in. This is because the gap between the panes absorbs and reflects the sound.
In conclusion, double glazing has two windowpanes with an insulating layer in between. This creates a barrier that reduces heat loss and noise. This makes them more energy efficient than single pane windows.
1. Superior Insulation for Thermal Comfort
When it comes to insulation, double-glazed windows are unbeatable. The gap between the two panes of glass minimises heat transfer through convection and conduction.
Convection is the process where cold air sinks and warm air rises. For single pane windows, warm air from inside can escape through the window while cold air is drawn in. In double-glazed windows, the gap between the two panes restricts the movement of air, minimizing convection currents and further reducing heat loss.
Conduction is where molecules collide and pass heat energy to each other, causing heat transfer. If you have a single pane window, the surface conducts heat, transferring it to the outside surface. Meanwhile in double-glazed windows, the gap between the panes restricts movement of air, slowing down conduction.
This means double glazing is superior at trapping heat in your home during cold weather and cool air inside during hot weather.
2. Protecting Your Home From Heat Waves and Extreme Cold
Australia has some very unpredictable weather. This means your windows need to be able to endure any kind of temperature. Double glazing offers superior insulation. This means it will reduce heat loss and block cold air from entering.
This is ideal for extreme cold as it will mean your house stays warm. Likewise, the double-glazed window’s insulation will block warm air from entering during summer, helping your house stay cool and increasing the effectiveness of air conditioning.
3. Reducing Outside Noise
If you live on a noisy road, double glazing comes into its own. The excellent insulating properties of double-glazed windows don’t just prevent heat transfer; it can also effectively keep noise pollution out of the home.
This makes double glazing an excellent investment for those who live on noisy roads, near train tracks or under a flight path. The benefits are obvious – this will allow your home to be a peaceful, quiet place away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.
Double glazing can reduce noise by 20-65%. This can create a noticeable difference in perceived noise levels. For example, this could reduce a 65dB noise level outside to a 30dB inside.
The sound reduction effectiveness of double glazing depends on multiple factors. These include the thickness of the glass, the size of the gap, the seal around the window and the glass type.
4. Enhancing Home Security
Double-glazed windows make it significantly harder for criminals to break into your home. When it comes to windows being smashed, it’s much harder to break through two panes rather than one.
Often, double-glazed windows feature strong frames made of materials like aluminium or uPVC, which are designed to handle attempted forced entry. Some double-glazed windows also come with multipoint locking systems, making them difficult to pry open.
5. Preventing Condensation
No matter what type of property you own, condensation is always an annoying and damaging problem. Uncontrolled condensation can encourage damp and mould. Double-glazed windows prevent condensation by featuring an airtight seal. This effectively stops moisture from forming.
6. Long-Term Energy Savings
Double glazing may be more expensive to install but the benefits outweigh the costs over time. This can be seen through the property’s energy bill. The extra insulation provided by double glazing will help you maintain the temperature of your indoor environment.
This means your house will stay warm during winter and cool during summer. This is not just good for your comfort levels, it reduces the need to use your air conditioning and heating. This translates to a reduced cost on your energy bills.
Should you ever decide to sell your property, you will also find that having double glazed windows will increase the value of the house.
Considering Double Glazing?
If you are interested in installing double-glazed windows in your home, Ultimate Windows can help. We have been working in the manufacture and installation of double-glazed windows for over 15 years. We make all of our windows in-house, meaning we can make windows tailored to your specific needs and style. This allows us to price our windows affordably, avoiding expensive import costs.
All of our windows are made of uPVC. This superior material is energy efficient, low maintenance, sound and condensation proof and bushfire resistant. They also have a UV resistant coating, meaning your furniture and flooring won’t become faded or sun bleached over time.
Whatever you require, we can manufacture premium quality uPVC double-glazed windows to suit your home. Why not book in for a complimentary quote? Click the button on our website or contact your closest branch by phone.
