Double glazing windows consist of two glass panes combined into a single window system. The space between the panes is filled with air, or gas and a moisture absorbing desiccant (a drying agent). Argon gas is most commonly used beside air as it has a lower thermal conductance than air. Using argon gas can improve the R-value of the glazing windows by 5–20%. If the space between the panes is less 10mm, filling the gap with argon gas is recommended. As this type of retrofit is considered to be both energy efficient and cost-effective, we should learn something about it.
Insulation
One of the serious benefits of double glazed windows is definitely insulation. The layer of air, or gas between two window panes is what does the job, when it comes to temperature control. The heat transfer is limited since the air, or gas has high thermal resistance and since it cannot move and transfer the heat between the panes.
For optimal thermal performance, a minimum space between of 12mm is recommended, while better energy efficient performance requires a space between 10mm and 20mm. The amount of heat escaping through windows during winter is minimized as double glazing windows have a U-value between 3.5 and 1.5. On the other hand, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of double glazing windows is lower than the SHGC of single glazing ones meaning that your house will be cooler in summer.
Noise reduction
When it comes to good acoustic control, the recommended air gap is between 100mm and 150mm. Openable weather-stripped double glazing windows (4mm+4mm glass) with 100mm separation can reduce noise up to 30db. On the other hand, fixed double glazing windows (6mm+6mm glass) with permanent seals can have noise reduction up to 40db. If there is a difference between the inner and outer panes, sound reduction is even higher. In addition, a study examining the sound insulation of partially open double glazing windows showed that partially open double glazing is about 10db better than partially open single glazing.
UV damage
Double glazing windows can also reduce the amount of UV light penetrating the room. UV light can damage furniture, fittings, paintings and carpets. The best protection against harmful UV rays is having tinted glass on the outside of the double glazing unit. Additionally, opt for uPVC window frames as they have high gloss finish surface and high resistance to UV radiation.
Reduced condensation
As we have said, double glazing windows have a drying agent, which collects excess moisture on window panes. Reduced condensation is related to energy efficiency since less moisture means warmer home. If moisture lands on a warm surface, it condenses to water which freezes. Frost lowers the temperature inside.
Other advantages
Installing double glazing windows is an eco-friendly solution since they are durable and energy efficient. Did you know that as much as 30% of the heat is lost from your home through windows? Energy efficient windows have other benefits such as smaller energy bills and smaller carbon footprint. On the other hand, their durability, including the fact that they are impact resistant can make your home greener place to live. If you decide to use tinted glass on double glazing windows, improved privacy is one more benefit of these windows.
Finally, retrofitting is also possible. Not only do double glazing windows have so many benefits, but they can easily be custom fit to any window frame.