Summer is coming around the bend again, and it looks like it’s going to be another hot one. We’ve been setting heat records pretty steadily for the past couple of decades, and the trend doesn’t show any signs of slowing. Climate implications aside, how you feel about summer depends on whether you prefer hot or cold weather and how well your home holds heat. If your AC unit continuously runs in the summer, or you have a hard time bringing your indoor temp down to a comfortable spot, there’s no time like the present to do something about it. Double glazed windows are a fantastic way to insulate your home from the heat and sounds of summer.
What are double glazed windows?
Double glazed windows, sometimes called double-paned windows(less frequently called dual glazed windows), are a type of double-paned window that delivers a host of benefits over conventional windows. It’s all due to their construction. So, how are double-glazed windows made?
Double glazed windows are constructed with two panes of glass that seal in a layer of some inert gas or a vacuum between them. This gap allows the window to insulate the inside conditions from outside much more efficiently than single-pane windows ever could. They are then sealed to keep the gas in and water vapor out.
Since the windows are also generally made to order, you get a perfect fit and eliminate any possible gaps.
Benefits of going double glazed
It’s no secret that new windows deliver a solid return on investment. Still, there are a number of benefits that give double glazed windows advantage over the other options on the market for your home or office renovation project.
Their energy efficiency will keep you comfortable all year long and save you big bucks in the long run. Let’s look at why windows with two panes are so much better than those with a single pane.
Keep comfortable
The single most important reason people go with double glazed windows may be the comfort factor. Eliminating drafts and preventing heat transfer are what these things are built for. Having a well-insulated house is essential to summer comfort, and your windows are either going to help you or hurt you.
When they allow too much heat energy to pass through them, you’ll spend the summer hot and bothered. When they act as impermeable barriers, they become big helpers.
Going green: Windows and your carbon footprint
Increasing your home’s efficiency has positive impacts on your wallet and the planet. When your home is well sealed from the elements, your HVAC system is able to keep a steady temperature without working too hard. When your heat and AC aren’t running, you aren’t burning through costly fossil fuels.
Another interesting thing happens when your air conditioning isn’t running. You aren’t putting added pressure onto your energy grid. If you live in an area prone to energy rationing, you need your home to be as energy-efficient as possible. Double glazed windows may just be the things that allow you to keep your home cool on minimal energy.
Keep your furnishings from fading
For all the wonderful things the sun does for us, its rays are doing damage to nearly everything they encounter.
The sun gives us food, light, and heat. It also gives us sunburns, scorched plants and can cause skin cancer. If you’ve ever seen something in a room that’s been sitting directly in front of a window for a long time, you’ve likely noticed fading. Left unchecked, the sun’s UV rays will eventually break down most things.
If you like to let the sunlight in but don’t want to lose the colors on your favorite couch, double-glazed windows can provide some protection for your family heirlooms.
Keep the noise out
Many people don’t know how important sound control is until confronted with the inadequacies in their own homes. If your windows have always leaked lots of sound, you may not know how much improvement can be had and how great a little bit of real peace and quiet can be. So, are double glazed windows soundproof?
It depends on the sounds.
One thing people usually like best about their new windows is their ability to suppress sounds coming from both inside and outside. What double glazed windows do for cold air, they also do for sound waves.
The added density and gap make them very good at blocking sound passage. When used in conjunction with other acoustic products, double glazed windows are a fantastic contribution to your soundproof room.
Ready to make the switch?
If any or all the benefits listed above sound like things that would make your life more enjoyable, maybe it’s time to consider making the switch.
Many people think they need to wait for fall or winter to get a great price, but you can probably find double glazed windows summer sales out there that will leave you wondering what you’ve been waiting for.
