Windows with two panes of glass are called double glazed windows. DGUs or double glazed units are made up of numerous panes of glass bonded together into a single unit. Due to rising energy costs, triple glazing (three panes of glass) is becoming more popular in IGUs. In IGUs, a spacer and a still layer of air or gas separate the glass panes. After that, the panes of glass are installed in window frames that have been widened to accommodate them.

Double glazing’s many advantages

A Double glazed window is an excellent option for energy efficiency and noise reduction. The air gap-sealed between the two panes provides an additional insulation layer. This extra thermal resistance helps maintain your home at a more pleasant temperature in the winter by reducing the amount of heat that is leaving. 

• When you’re near a window, the warmth of the glass affects your level of comfort. Double glazing makes it more difficult for the unwelcome outside temperature to get through and make it more comfortable inside.
• Standard single-pane windows are regarded as less safe than double-glazed ones. It is more challenging to break two sheets of glass than one, and toughened or laminated glass can be used for even more security.
• Double glazing is excellent for insulating, but it may also assist trap and retain natural heat throughout the winter months, making your home more comfortable. By increasing the insulation in your home, you can keep it warm throughout the winter months.
• Installing double glazed windows reduces the energy needed to heat or cool a space, decreasing utility bills and saving money. Additional glazing layers can help save money and improve energy efficiency.
• In the summer, it’s less hot — In the summer, double-glazed can help keep your room cooler by absorbing some of the sunlight that passes through them. As a result, less cooling energy is used.
• Increased house security can be attributed to double-glazed, which are more common these days. Unlike ordinary windows, they are more challenging to break into.
• Because of the airtight seal, condensation is less likely to form on the window panes with double-glazed windows. Other windows frequently enable moisture to accumulate, resulting in mouldy window glass.
• With more units, there is less noise and a more peaceful environment. You’ll need windows double-glazed if you live on a busy road or in a noisy neighbourhood.

What to keep an eye out for

The distance separating the panes

In most cases, the distance between glass panes is 6-20mm. The best thermal performance is achieved with a minimum of 12mm of clearance. The ideal air gap for acoustic management and attenuating low-frequency noise, such as traffic and aeroplanes, is 150mm. The vast gaps between the panes allow convection to occur, which reduces the insulating efficiency of the panes.

The gap between panes.

When you have a double glazed window, the area between the panes is completely sealed, which serves as an insulator to keep cold air from entering your home. In addition to enhancing thermal and acoustic performance, gas fills this area. Argon is the most often utilised gas because of its poor conductivity, making it an excellent insulator.

A metal or polymer spacer separates the two panes of glass in double-glazed units. A desiccant (drying agent) is typically included in spacers to help eliminate any moisture that may have gotten stuck in the void.

Kind of glass used.

Low-E and laminated glass can be utilised in double glazing units to enhance further energy efficiency, noise control, and other options. Thick laminated panes of glass interrupt sound waves, reducing heat loss even further, while Low-E glass reduces heat loss even further.