What is Double Glazing?

Double glazing is a common enough term but do we all understand what it really means?

The window opening in a building has developed over many hundreds of years. At one time in history it was nothing more than a hole in the wall. Fortunately over time we arrived at the glazed window. A single pane of glass which let the light in whilst at the same time offering protection against the elements, as it blocked out amongst other things the colder outside air.

As good as this system was over and above other more primitive forms of protection it was found to be a major cause of heat loss from within the building. Despite its widespread existence today it is a very inefficient way of stopping the warmer air from within a building from penetrating the glass. In the absence of more effective glazing the inside of the building is constantly reheated in order to maintain the warmer temperature.

The science of Double Glazing is not new. It was first invented in the U.S.A. In the 1930's and although slow to develop it became commonly used in the U.S. in the 1950's. Despite its existence for over 80 years many buildings in the U.K. have yet to benefit from the extra insulation qualities that Double Glazing brings.

So what is Double Glazing and how does it improve the quality of inner environment of a building?

Double Glazing is simply a glazing process in which a window is formed by using two panes of glass with a space between the panes. The space between the two panes is of variable thickness, usually several millimetres. The trapped air between the panes acts as an effective layer of insulation. The double layer of sealed glass is manufactured to a required size and before the unit is sealed a drying agent is added to ensure that no moisture is present. In order to remain effective it is important to ensure that no moisture is present and that it is airtight. Following manufacture of the sealed unit the pane of double thick glass is added to a suitable frame chosen by the customer.

Without Double Glazing it is likely that the amount of heat lost from a building will be as much as 60% through the single paned windows. The provision of Double Glazing significantly reduces the amount of heat lost. As the heat loss is avoided less money needs to be spent on maintaining the desired temperature within the building and as a result the cost of the fuel saved can over time pay for the cost of the Double Glazing The reduction in heating cost should be in the order of 10 to 12%.

As individuals we are being encouraged to make greater attempts to improve out carbon footprint and improve the environment. By fitting Double Glazing you can make that contribution as Double Glazing dramatically reduces the Carbon Dioxide emissions by as much as 28% as the amount of fuel needed to heat a building is reduced.

In addition to the financial benefits there are significant improvements to the comfort of a building in which Double Glazing has been installed.

Cold spots, and draughts which not only contribute to an overall reduction in temperatures within a room but which can also make sitting in certain parts of it less inviting are eliminated if the source was through or around the window frame.

Nothing looks worse than water streaming down window panes brought about by a marked difference in the internal and external temperature on either side of a window. Condensation is eliminated as the temperature difference is greatly reduced with the fitting of Double Glazing.

So too is noise. Whether the noise originates from any source outside the window or in fact from within the building he fitting of Double Glazed panes ensure that the amount of noise passing through them is far less than the single paned window.

Double Glazing may not be a new invention but it is certainly right for the times we now live in.