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How Effective is Double Glazing?

Double glazed windows are one of the top home improvements chosen by homeowners in the UK, because they are a great solution for maintaining a warmer temperature in the house, office, etc, but the question is how effective are they than a single pane window?

To start off, the first thing you need to know is what double glazing is and how it works. By double glazing, it is meant that the windows have two panes unlike normal windows which have a single pane, but that’s not all, between the two panes there is a small gap in the centre which is called an air gap or a tight air pocket. This gap is either sealed with air or gas.

This gap between the glass panes behaves as an insulation not only for temperature but also sound. 

Due to this, temperatures cannot easily shift through one side of the window to the other, which enables the house to have cool air indoors, keeping the warm/ hot air outside or warm air inside and the cold on the out. 

Further explaining the reason behind the effective insulation, The process of heat energy travelling from a hot space to a cold space is called convection. Convection requires a good conductor. The trapped air between the glass panes cannot move around, hence it is a poor conductor of heat, this causes reduction of heat loss from the inside of the house. As a result of minimum heat being able to leave from the window panes, the house stays warmer for a longer period of time. 

Double Glazing decreases temperature gain and loss around almost 32 percent in comparison to single glazed windows.

Window films or UV protective coatings can be used on the windows for reduction of more heat into the house.

Double glazed windows are also efficient in limiting noise emissions into your house from the outside. The gas or air trapped between the window panes restricts the penetrance of high-to-medium-range noise frequencies.

The advantages of double glazed windows do not just stop here but they also include:

Security:

Double glazed windows also improve the safety of your house. Most burglaries occur by windows. These windows can only be removed from inside of the house, which makes it extremely hard to be pried open by thieves.

Many modern double-glazed windows provide multiple hardware locking points, which means that even a simple turn of the handle will easily and efficiently lock your window in multiple positions.

Energy Conversion: 

Increased insulation provided by double glazed windows reduces the need for  artificial cooling or heating through air conditioners or heaters. Which in conclusion will save you money on energy bills.

Things to know about Double glazed windows:

Many double glazed windows are made with PVC or aluminum frames, which are both strong and effective materials. These frames work perfectly but it needs to be made sure that there aren’t any small gaps around the frames through which air can pass.

Although single glazed windows cost less than their double glazed equivalents, there are several disadvantages. First and primarily, single glazed windows contain a single window panel. This makes them much less effective in insulating from cold, heat and noise. This is equally relevant in both cold and hot environments, whereby thermal problems can cause discomfort in your residence. Double glazing windows use two glass panes and an air gap which causes a noteworthy increase in the insulation of the windows

The most effective double glazed windows are the ones which have gas in between the air gaps like argon which uses a low emissivity glass and has a reflective metal oxide coating that reflects sunlight into the house.

Although double-glazed windows have long been the traditional choice for keeping space warm and increasing energy efficiency. They now compete with triple glazing windows.

Imagine Home Improvement| Double Glazed Windows

Pros & Cons of Aluminium Doors & Windows

Pros & Cons of Aluminium Doors & Windows

Aluminium windows and doors are heavy-duty, elegant, and can be quite a long-term investment for your home, so it’s no wonder they’re one of the UK’s and especially watford’s most famous type of installed windows and doors.These doors are quite a popular choice for modern buildings and houses, although they have their own share of pros and cons.

If you’re struggling to choose which material is the perfect choice for your residence, then our pros and cons of aluminium windows and doors are on board to help. Read on to see if aluminium can produce the kind of transformation you seek for your property.

Pros of Aluminum Doors & Windows:

Long life – A key feature of aluminium windows and doors is that they can withstand any weather conditions.These doors have proven to be robust and weather resistant no matter where you live, whether in a coastal area or in thick cold regions. Without any signs of wear and tear, they can endure extreme temperatures and constant climate changes. For years and decades to come, you will be able to enjoy your aluminium windows as they are highly resistant to the elements.

Good Security – The strength of the material is one of the major advantages of aluminium. Aluminium, which is substantially stronger than wood, is a perfect option for a solid, durable and reliable window & door frame material. The strength and stability of an aluminium window ensures high-security windows and doors which makes it a great choice. Aluminium can’t be disintegrated as easily as a material such as wood and forced entry can be much difficult.

Eco friendly – Aluminium is a material that is entirely sustainable. It is hundred percent recyclable and non-toxic, leaving a minimal carbon footprint. Just five percent of the initial energy required to compose aluminium is needed to recycle it.

Little framework – If you want to let as much light into your home as you can or just want to enjoy the view, then aluminium windows need very little framework around the glass edge compared to other bulky frames of other types of frames, such as uPVC.

Cons of Aluminum Doors and Windows:

Conductive / Condensation – While the quality of aluminium windows on the market varies considerably, as a standard, aluminium often isn’t considered the best energy efficient option. Aluminium is rather conductive, which means that heat passes easily through the frame, but when combined with a thermal break, aluminium windows can easily attain improvements in heat gain and heat loss through the windows and doors up to sixty percent.

Aluminium frames are prone to formation of condensation as aluminium is an efficient conductor of heat. Thermal breaks can solve this drawback of aluminium windows if installed professionally. You can easily find professional installers for aluminum doors in north london .

The cons associated with aluminium windows and doors have become more of personal preference rather than straightforward drawbacks.

Unique Aesthetic – For some people, the elegant finish of an aluminium window is a pro, but it’s one of the biggest cons for others. On any form of house, the unique aesthetics of aluminium windows and doors won’t match the property type. So it comes down to the type of residence you have and, basically, personal preference, but the appearance of wooden windows and doors is favoured by certain homeowners.

Premium Material Choice – The price tag is one of the key reasons many individuals avoid aluminium windows. Aluminium is one of the most pricey window frame options in the UK and if you are looking to replace all the window frames in your house, it will set you back a substantial amount. Aluminium is costly and metal prices often fluctuate. This makes it difficult to budget in advance.

Article Source: Pros & Cons of Aluminium Doors & Windows | Imagine Home Improvement