When insulating homes, many people fit the walls/floor and ceiling, yet miss one of the biggest heat loss areas of a home: windows.
As of 2008, all new homes were required to meet tougher insulation requirements and as a result have double glazed windows. However as the majority of New Zealand houses are over 10 years old, many will still have single glazed windows.
While it’s not the cheapest insulation option, there are many benefits to double glazing other than heat retention.
How double glazing works
Glass is a great conductor of heat. Therefore in houses with single glazed windows, heat travels right through and out of any windows.
Double gazing works by creating an insulating layer of air or gas between two panes of glass. This layer acts as a blanket of protection between the cold and warm air on each side of the window. Draughts, condensation and cold spots are dramatically reduced, if not completely eliminated.
An inert (non-reactive) gas such as argon can also be used between the glass layers and can reduce heat loss by a further 3% to 9%.
Why double glazing?
A heating system is inefficient and expensive if the heat escapes as soon as it is made. By eliminating ways for heat to escape and “reflecting” that heat back into a home, heat loss can be reduced by up to 70%.
You’ll quickly be able to see the positive effects of double glazing as heating bills decrease and your property stays warmer and drier.
Added extras, such as tinting, can be of benefit during summer when excess heat isn’t welcome inside.
There are many advantages to double glazing:
We encourage you to consider installing double glazed windows to increase the value of your home or rental property! There are many benefits and only a few drawbacks.
Do you have double glazed windows or have had them recently installed?
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