Do you know how double glazing works?
Up until fairly recently, double glazing was something of a luxury for many British homeowners. Most houses had inefficient single glazing, which was exceptionally poor at keeping heat in, and a terrible option for home security. As our houses have become warmer, mainly thanks to central heating, we’ve become better at coming up with ways to keep the warmth in, and we’re also able to protect ourselves more effectively against burglars and theft.
Many of us have double glazing without really thinking about its benefits. Do you know how it stops people breaking in, and are you aware of thermal efficiency? When you look into the details of the windows in your home, you’ll find that they’re actually a pretty impressive invention.
How a Window Works
Windows were invented to let light into properties, and – to some degree – keep harsh weather out. In cold, wet climates, it pays to have good quality glazing, since the ‘al fresco’ approach isn’t always an option.
A double glazed window keeps heat in thanks to the sealed unit inside the frame. This unit has a pane of glass on either side, and a gas – sometimes argon – in-between. The seal is critical, as it keeps the gas in, and that’s what gives a window its insulating properties. If the seal is broken, you might notice fogging between the panes.
The glass, and the frame, also help to keep draughts out, and we tend to coat glass to make it resistant to impact. This stops burglars smashing through it, and it also makes windows a lot safer around the home.
Preventing Heat Transfer
In your house, the main goal of insulation is to stop heat escaping. We can put insulation in the attic, and between the bricks in the walls. Windows can also prevent heat loss in the same way bricks do, and they can also trap heat from the sun.
Your windows have a U value that describes the rate of heat transfer. The U value is measured in watts per square metre per degree Kelvin. A lower U value is better; it means less heat is lost. An extremely efficient window would be rated at about 0.7, but typical double glazed products tend to get a respectable 1 to 1.4 rating.
In addition, your windows will get an Energy Rating, similar to the colour coded sign you’d see on a new fridge or washing machine. This tells you how good the windows are at retaining heat.
Ordering New Windows
Once we understand how double glazing works, we can quickly see the importance of keeping windows in good condition. A tiny leak in a seal could cause all of that critical insulating gas to escape. A warp in the frame could cause a draught that will render a window’s U value irrelevant.
If your windows are costing you money in high energy bills, speak to Hamilton Windows about brand new double glazing. While every glazing project requires investment, you’ll recoup the cost over time as your windows will perform better than ever.
