Until the rise of double glazing, there was just one type of window available in the UK, and that was the single-glazed variety. Fitted properly and maintained regularly, the single-glazed window didn’t do a bad job – until it became cracked, or the putty needed replacing, or the thing fell out altogether. Then, you had problems on your hands.
Those of us old enough to remember waking up to frost on the inside of the window might shudder to think about those chilly mornings. That said, early double-glazing wasn’t exactly brilliant, and didn’t have a great reputation to start with.
Luckily, those days are now gone. Today’s double and triple-glazed windows are solidly constructed, thermally efficient and available in a range of styles and colours to suit any type of property. Yet many of us stick rigidly to our single-glazed windows, perhaps never considering that they could be replaced by something far more suitable.
So let’s have a look at both types to see which might be a better choice for your East Midlands home.
What is single glazing?
A single-glazed window is, as the name suggests, one pane of glass that ranges from between 3mm and 10 mm thick. Traditionally it is fitted into a wooden frame and held in place with glazing putty.
What is double-glazing?
Surprise, surprise – double-glazing is made from two panes of glass approximately 4mm thick. The average gap between these two panes of glass is 20 mm, and this sealed unit is filled with argon gas.
How else do these two types of window differ?
As we’ve mentioned, single-glazed windows might keep the wind and rain out, but in most other ways they don’t provide a great barrier to the outdoors. When heating costs are at a premium and we’re all being asked to ‘do our bit’ in the fight against global warming, the single-glazed window isn’t faring very well in the modern era.
Energy efficiency
New double-glazed windows keep the cold out and the heating in. Their insulation properties outperform those of single-glazing by a mile, lowering energy bills and providing a noticeably warmer atmosphere inside.
Security
In days gone by, burglars had a field day with single-glazed windows. A quick tap to the corner of the glass with something heavy could break the whole window without creating too much disturbance. Now, thanks to stronger and more durable double-glazing, plus advances in window locking hardware technology, today’s would-be intruder will find it just about impossible to get through a modern window.
Soundproofing
Those of us who live on busy roads, or along country lanes, will have had the experience of single-glazed windows rattling when a large truck or heavily laden tractor passes by. With double-glazing, not only will the windows not rattle, you might also never hear the large vehicle going past. Double-glazing is a much more effective barrier against sound than single-glazing could ever be, and if you’re tired of traffic and other noise from the outside, the dual-glazed option will almost certainly be a good one.
Style and design
Double-glazing used to come in clunky, ill-fitting units that were always in white uPVC. Now the options are much wider. You can still get uPVC frames, of course, which are much better-looking than their predecessors, and in a range of styles and colours. You might even go for one with a wood-effect finish, mimicking the timber of days gone by. Of course, aluminium double-glazed units are rapidly becoming popular due to their high strength, slim sightlines and up-to-the-minute architectural looks.
So…what’s the better option for my property?
If you have single-glazed windows that are ageing and not doing their job properly, there really is no time like the present to consider investing in double-glazing. Here at The Nottingham Window Company we have a range of high quality double-glazed units that are superbly thermally efficient, look great and will enhance any home. We have been making homes warmer, brighter and more inviting for more than 20 years.
We pride ourselves on providing homeowners in Nottingham and the surrounding areas including Leicester, Chesterfield and Derbyshire with a wide range of home improvement products. Our product range includes; conservatories, orangeries, patio doors, French doors, bi-fold doors, composite doors, casement windows, sliding sash windows and tilt & turn windows. With so much choice, you are bound to find the perfect fit for your home. Visit our website for a free quotation or give us a call on 0115 866 0066.