You will find that most of the windows and glass doors in your home are double glazed, but what actually is double glazing? And how does it work?
Double glazing means that a window has two panes of glass instead of one. This means there is a space between the two panes filled with air that helps to insulate the window.
Insulation is important in both keeping heat in and keeping cold out. The air trapped between the glass in double glazing insulates against the transfer of heat inside and outside.
Single glazed windows only have one pane, so the cold can transfer into your home easily. Having the additional layer of glass and air means that heat transfer is slowed, keeping your home warmer for longer.
This can help reduce energy costs as you won’t be unnecessarily losing heat from your home due to poor insulation. There is also less energy needed to heat the room, as there is more protection against the cold getting in.
Double glazing doesn’t just help keep your home warm though, it can also be a form of soundproofing. Soundproofing works by disrupting the soundwaves, so noises are quieter and less disruptive.
Having two panes of glass as opposed to one doubles the protection against disruptive outdoor noises and can help keep your home free from the chaos of the outside world.
Double glazing can also reduce the amount of condensation build-up on your windows. Single glazing has no buffer between the cold outside and the heat inside, so moisture in the air will hit the cold of the window and condense.
This is prevented by double glazing as the temperature of the glass itself will never be as low as single glazing due to the layer of air between panes, so condensation will be less likely to form. However, if you find that you have misted double glazing, this can mean condensation has built up between the glass.