Until the last few decades, windows with single glazing were primarily used on homes and commercial properties. These are windows with a single panel of glass, and if your home or property was built before the 1980s, there’s a good chance it has been fitted with single glazing windows.
Recently, though, window design has improved, and now windows with double or even triple glazing are available to consumers. These windows have two or three panels of glass, which have space between each panel that’s often filled with gas. Thanks to the extra layer of glass, as well as the gas fill, double glazing windows generally limit the amount of heat that’s transferred through the window.
So besides the extra panel of glass, what are the key differences between windows with single or double glazing? There are many. A window’s glazing determines its cost, efficiency rating, durability and a number of other factors. Here are the three biggest differences:
Cost of Windows with Single or Double Glazing
Single glazing is the most cost effective option for your home or business. Whether you’re retrofitting existing windows with single glazing, or you’re purchasing new windows, these window systems require fewer parts and retrofitting and installation takes a shorter amount of time. These factors contribute to the overall reduced costs.
Double glazing windows, on the other hand, are more expensive initially. Yet, many homeowners or commercial property managers recoup the added costs over time, because double glazing windows are generally more energy efficient. Therefore, heating and cooling costs can go down significantly. In some climates, double glazing windows are 20 percent more efficient in summer months than traditional single glazing.
Window Efficiency Ratings
In general, double glazing performs better in efficiency. The second panel of glass, as well as the gas fill, can diminish solar heat gain, which is the amount of heat from the sun that is transferred into a property. Buildings that have inefficient windows tend to require more cooling during summer months.
Yet, many windows with single glazing are coated with a specially designed tint, which can limit the amount of solar heat that emits through the window. In warmer climates, like Sydney’s, thermal glazing or coated single glazing may be a reliable, highly efficient option. During the winter months, double-glazing windows can also reduce heat transfer – which is the amount of heat from inside the building that is lost through the window.
Noise Cancelling Properties
Traffic noise is often a problem for buildings and homes that about streets and roadways. And double glazing windows are often designed to limit the amount of sound that’s transmitted. Depending on the amount of space between each panel of glass, as well as the gas fill type, double glazing can greatly reduce noise compared to single glazing options.
Durability of Single and Double Glazing Windows
In terms of durability, there is not a significant difference between single and double glazing. When properly installed, both types can last decades. That’s why it’s important to choose premium glazing and a skilled installer. Glazing that has not been properly installed diminishes its efficiency and it can lead to problems like water leakage, which can destroy the window system.
Doberman Windows and Doors provides Sydney-area business and homeowners with cost effective, high-efficiency glazing and windows. Contact us today to learn more about your options for new windows, glazing retrofits or new doors.
