There are a number of reasons why double glazed windows offer better insulation than single glass.

Double glazing windows provide a level of sound protection, as well as blocking the sun's rays from entering your home. The most important benefits, however, come from the interactions between the panes themselves and how they work together to help reduce heat transfer.

Double glazing panes work by trapping a gas between them. This gas is usually Argon or Krypton; two gases used quite frequently in the insulation industry because they do not react with other chemicals. This lack of reaction makes it safer for humans to live around these types of gasses without having to worry about them corroding breathing apparatus, poisoning us, or reacting with other gases in our homes.

By trapping this gas within the air space between the panes, an airtight seal blocks air from entering and escaping the home. By blocking out all drafts and wind, heat transfer by conduction and convection is reduced.

Of course, these benefits don't come without some drawbacks; increased thickness means increased weight which makes handling difficult and double glazing can be expensive compared to single pane glass. Even though they may not be quite as efficient as triple glazing glass windows at stopping heat transfer, their ease of use and low cost make them a worthwhile investment.

Double glazing windows are also more effective when combined with other types of insulation. This means that they work together to create a better seal, resulting in the home's entire energy efficiency improvements as a whole.

What is Argon and Krypton gas?

Argon and Krypton are two inert gases that do not affect humans or any other living organisms. They do not corrode equipment we use to breathe, nor do they react to any other chemicals found around our homes, such as moisture, natural gas and so on, as long as the concentration remains below an average of 1%. This makes Argon and Krypton ideal for use in double glazing, where two panes of glass are kept separated by a space filled with this gas. This creates a sealed unit that is almost completely impervious to the elements, helping to prevent heat transfer into or out of your home during certain seasons.

What kind of window styles come with double glazed windows?

Double glazed windows can be found in many different styles and colours depending on how they are fitted within each unit. The most common kinds include bay, box, patio (sliding), vertical slider, casement (crank handle) and sash (double-hung). Each features its own benefits in terms of light intensity, airflow and general appearance, which you should keep in mind when assessing your options.

How do double glazed windows reduce heat transfer?

Heat always moves from warmer areas to cooler places, and this is exactly what happens when your home gets too hot through the summer months. Double glazing window pane pairs work by reducing the rate at which this movement occurs to reduce heat loss from your home. In summer, the double glazing windows keep out the unwanted heat keeping the home cooler. This happens by creating a sealed unit made up of two panes held apart by a space filled with argon or krypton gas. The airtight seal created by this method prevents airflow through any cracks or crevices and keeps out drafts and blocking all conduction and convection. A metal or polymer strip separates the two panes. A drying agent is usually added to the metal or polymer strip to suck in the moisture that may get trapped between the insulated glass units. When you look at it like this, it becomes clear why double glazed windows reduce the amount of heat transfer within your home; they simply stop wind and other factors from entering during the summer months while still allowing light in during winter.

How energy efficient are double glazed windows?

In comparison to single glass panes, double glazed glass types are energy efficient windows. They are almost twice as efficient at stopping heat transfer from occurring compared to single glazed windows. While this may not seem like a significant improvement on paper, it really does make a difference when you take into account the sheer number of windows within your home. That's a lot of room that could otherwise be used by the sun during the winter months, resulting in loss of warmth throughout your home. It's a wise investment to choose double glazed windows to help you improve energy efficiency and noise reduction in your house.

Are double glazed window units easy to clean?

Double glazed windows are very simple to clean because they have two panes made from extremely hard-wearing, low maintenance materials such as tempered glass or toughened glass. This means there is no risk for your cleaning tools to slip and cause damage or injury when you are wiping off any dirt or mould on the surface of the pane. As long as you follow common-sense safety precautions and use the recommended tools and equipment, you should be able to clean your double glazed windows regularly without any difficulty. Just make sure you avoid using anything too abrasive or sharp on the inner pane, as this may cause damage.

What are the benefits of Argon filled double glazing?

Argon is one of the most commonly used gases for filling double glazed window panes because it has so many unique properties which benefit homeowners in different ways. For example, Argon only reacts with other chemicals at very high temperatures, which prevents gas leakage within each unit if they are ever damaged in some way. It is also a poor conductor of heat, which means that it does not easily transfer the warmth from inside your home into the surrounding environment.

What are Krypton filled double glazed windows?

Krypton has many of the same properties as Argon but with one notable difference - it's slightly denser, so it can be used to fill panes even if they have been made from thicker materials. This helps to prevent heat transfer during colder months by keeping the warm air within each unit where it belongs. Like Argon, Krypton is almost completely non-reactive and thus extremely secure at preventing leaks from occurring through damage or wear and tear over time. That makes these gases ideal for use in window units because they help to hold units together for longer, cutting down on the need to replace panes that may have become damaged in some way.

How does double glazing help save on energy bills?

Double glazing is a great way to save money on energy costs because it helps prevent heat transfer from occurring at all. That means that you don't have to turn up your central heating system in order to keep warm if you're within a double glazed home. Your air conditioner does not work as hard to cool your interior.

What are the disadvantages of double glazing?

A key disadvantage of choosing double glazed windows is when they are not installed properly. If gaps or air bubbles occur during installation, this allows cold drafts through these areas - reducing the overall thermal performance of your units and preventing them from working effectively at all.

Compared to single glazed windows, the cost of a double glazing window is higher. On average, uPVC double glazed windows can cost 10-20% more than single glazing windows. Occasionally they may collect condensation.

The best thing you can do is consult a professional installer who can provide you with an installation service that meets industry regulations and ensures each unit works effectively without any issues or defects.

Advantages and disadvantages of double glazed windows

Having double glazed windows in your home means no more drafty windows. This means that you can save money on heating and cooling costs, keep warm during the colder months, and still enjoy natural light. On top of keeping the house warm, selecting double glazing windows lowers outside noise. You also won't have to worry about kids and pets getting their hands, paws, and claws stuck between panes of glass. Even though they lower power bills, double glazed windows tend to be more expensive than regular ones. If you are running a tight budget, you can consider installing secondary glazing to the existing window to save on cost. They are also harder to install because they require more work when properly fitting both panes together, so they don't allow any drafts through smaller gaps or bubbles. Compared to smart or low e glass, they have a lower solar radiation capability.

What do window manufacturers mean when they talk about 'U' values?

Window manufacturers use U-values to describe how much heat loss occurs in each unit when used. The lower the U-value, the more energy-efficient each window is because it prevents heat transfer from occurring at all. For example, if one window has a U value of 1 and another has a U value of 0.75, the latter will be better at stopping heat transfer despite both panes being identical in terms of thickness and quality.

The Australian Window Association provides guidelines on thermal performance and specifications of glass windows and doors. Their tool, tailored to the Australian climate, is useful if you plan to install glass windows and doors to your house. You will get more details from your nearest window supplier or the Australian Government's Your Home website.