Windows are the eyes of your house, looking out onto the scenery outside, and allowing you to do the same. But they also come at a cost, mainly that if you have older or single glaze windows, they allow heat and cold to come in, and can be quite drafty, particularly on cold winter days. They may also break easily and allow in lots of noise from outside, which is particularly troublesome at night. But if you knew the definition of double glazing, you would know that this can change all of those problems with your windows.
The literal definition is two layers of glass or other material that have a gap between them. The gap helps to stop the flow of heat or cold into and out of your home. This means that all that energy that would usually get lost is now kept inside your house, making it warmer in winter and cooler in summer with far less energy spent.
All of this, but without blocking out any sunlight. So in summer, you can let in the same amount of sun to brighten your room without having to turn the lights on, saving you even more money on your energy bill. The natural light floods in, but the cool air keeping you comfortable does not flood out. In winter, double glazed windows can keep up to 50% of the heat in your home, and amazing amount.
Most brand new houses will come with these windows, as they are a great selling point that can add to the value of the home. However, older houses that have not been recently renovated may have the old single glaze units. If this is the case with your dwelling, it would be good to change them out with double glazes.
Besides increased energy efficiency, they also reduce condensation. This is moisture that builds up in and around windows and other spaces nearby. If you have wood or any kind of porous building material in your home, the moisture can cause rot, which in turn can make your home unstable.
When you are deciding to switch out the old windows, there are a few things you should look for. First, the space between the two panes of glass should have an inert gas filling. A good example of this is argon. This retains even more heat, anywhere from 3 to 9 percent more than just a regular air filling.
You should also ask how much noise they eliminate. If you live off a busy street or near an airport, this is very important knowledge. You will want to invest in the thickest and most noise efficient windows you can, especially since most have a very long warranty. They are definitely worth the investment.
Most companies will give you an estimate of the cost. They will likely come out to your home and take some measurements and give you an idea of what they can provide, and what your return on investment is in terms of energy savings you will get. It is a fairly quick process and will help you decide when the best time is for you to make the change.
