Double glazing has ended up being a familiar sight in a lot of homes throughout the UK due to its many benefits. Cutting utility bills and reducing sound pollution are a few of the many reasons that double glazing has become a popular option for consumers. But do you know what double glazing is and how it works? Brighton Glazier have put together some helpful details explaining the mains benefits, what to watch out for when buying double glazing and precisely what double glazing is.
Double glazing is created when you trap gas in between two panes of glass. Normally, these panes of glass will be of the same width, varying from 3mm to 10mm in thickness. The gas filled area in between the panes of glass is the main reason for the reduction of heat transfer from a building, resulting in a more energy efficient window. The two panes of glass will be separated by a spacer bar and sealed in place creating an airtight unit.
Where did double glazing establish from?
Double hung and storm windows are an older form of glazing where double glazing is said to have progressed from. This older kind of technology included a single pane of glass separating interior and exterior areas. To keep pests and animals out in the summer, a window screen would be hung, with a storm window being included winter to create a double layered result for insulation.
Types of glazing
Double glazing can be achieved using various kinds of glass. Shatterproof glass is one of the more vital kinds of glass and is obligatory in many structure types including schools and roofing system windows to avoid injury 2. There are also locations around the home, referred to as vital areas where shatterproof glass should be used. Doors and panels adjacent to doors within 1.5 m from floor level as well as low level glazing such as windows that are within 0.8 m from floor level should be glazed in safety glass 3.
Laminated glass is a kind of safety glass which is more powerful and more long lasting than basic glass 4. It is constructed of 2 sheets of glass surrounding a plastic interlay sandwiched in between. This manufacturing procedure produces a pane of glass that, if broken, would continue to stay with the interior plastic layer lowering the threat of injury.
5 times more powerful than standard glass, tempered glass is a form of shatterproof glass which adds additional security and safety when utilized in specific locations 5. Tempered glass goes through extreme heat followed by being rapidly cooled during its production procedure to produce its strength. To cause less injury, tempered glass is manufactured to shatter into hundreds of small pieces if broken.
How does double glazing help in reducing heat loss?
The gas trapped between the two panes of glass in a double glazed window is key to the insulating properties that it produces. The gas generally utilized to develop this insulation is Argon, which uses around 65% of the thermal conductivity of air, leading to it being very inefficient at performing heat trapping it inside the property. Energy efficiency of the residential or commercial property is likewise increased by the spacer bar used in the constriction of the unit. Our spacer bar for example, is 1000 times more energy effective than standard aluminium, adding to the energy performance of the window and decreasing heat loss in the property.
The importance of selecting the best double glazing
There are a couple of areas you need to take a look at when thinking about double glazing to ensure you are getting the most energy efficient glazing to keep your house warm and your energy costs down.
Ranging from poor (G) to outstanding (A), windows are labelled with an energy efficiency score set by the controlling body who have over 100 years of experience setting the expectations of items and business throughout the UK.
There are a few particular numbers which are represented by the letters U, G and L which are awarded due to the general properties of a window, not just the private components. When considering double glazing, it is important to take a look at all the factors to make the best choice.
The U value of a window is the way in which heat loss is determined. When considering double glazing, the lower the U worth is, the more thermal effective your window will be.
The G value ranking of a window is the scale which determines the windows solar gain. This scale varies between 0 and 1 and shows how much heat is allowed by the window.
Air Leakage is the final aspect to consider. Suggested by the L worth, air leak takes place if there is a weakness in the glazing system. Many contemporary window units are air tight and must therefore have an L value of zero.
What kinds of double glazing frames are offered?
Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride or uPVC, is the most popular type of window frame used for double glazing With white being the most desirable, a variety of colours are available in uPVC doors and window frames. Being anywhere up to three times less expensive than wooden frames 6, other advantages of uPVC include energy performance, resilience and recyclability. Alternative options include aluminium and wood frames. Wooden frames are more pricey and need more maintenance, which is why more individuals go with the less expensive, longer lasting uPVC frames.
Additional advantages of double glazing.
Keeping houses warm and minimising energy expenses are two of the main advantages of updating to double glazing. 44% of people surveyed by Which 7 updated to double glazing to keep their home warm, with 40% seeking to reduce their energy costs. Having 2 panes of glass rather than one has other added advantages such as noise insulating. The 2nd pane of glass in a double glazing system acts as a sound barrier, keeping the residential or commercial property insulated from outdoors sound. Security is also another advantage as double glazed glass is more difficult to break than single glazed 8.
