How To Buy Double Glazed Windows
Wondering if you should buy double glazed windows?
Whatever the age or architectural era of your property, double glazing can insulate your home from the impacts of severe weather conditions and keep your family warm, dry and comfortable. It can also drastically cut your energy consumption and save you and your family the hassle of costly utility bills later down the line. As a result, modern double glazing is one of the best investments you can make as a homeowner.
Purchasing double glazing can be a complex and overwhelming process so if you’re about to invest in new windows, doors or even a conservatory, you’re most likely doing a lot of research to find the right installation company. After all, how does one go about investing in double-glazing? And what is double glazing anyway?
What is double glazing?
As the name suggests, double glazing is a term used to describe windows with two panes of glass sealed within a frame. This is in contrast to traditional single-glazed windows which were engineered with only one pane of glass.
Double-glazed windows are manufactured with a small gap between the two panes of glass which is filled with argon gas. This gap helps to insulate properties by preventing heat loss through the panes of glass. As a result, double-glazed windows can make a big difference to the thermal retention properties of your home. If you live near a busy road or in an area with heavy foot traffic, they can also insulate your internal living spaces from noise pollution.
Essentially, double glazing ensures your home is kept warm, dry, comfortable and quiet all year round. When combined with uPVC or aluminium, double-glazed windows, doors and conservatories boast high energy efficiency and security ratings, as well as a long life span.
Is double glazing worth it?
If you’re asking yourself whether or not double glazing is worth it, the answer is a resounding yes. When it comes to making your home more energy efficient, double glazing is often touted as the be-all and end-all of insulation. This is particularly relevant if you live in a colder climate like the UK where poorly insulated homes often fall victim to the onslaught of damp, condensation, mould and rot. Double glazing is a great way of reducing your energy bills and protecting your home from adverse weather conditions as well as keeping your family warm, dry and comfortable all year round.
The different types of double glazing
The most common type of double-glazed windows you’ll see are engineered from uPVC or aluminium. uPVC windows are incredibly resilient, with a life span of at least two decades. Products engineered from uPVC are cost-effective and low-maintenance – they are also designed with security, energy efficiency and resilience to the elements in mind.
Aluminium is another popular option in today’s market. Aluminium windows in particular are lightweight, durable and stylish. They combine slim frames with modern conveniences such as high thermal retention and energy efficiency ratings as well as heightened security.
When deciding between uPVC and aluminium, the decision will ultimately come down to your budget, personal tastes and of course, the unique architectural style of your property. uPVC windows can make an excellent replacement for historically sensitive renovation projects, where you’re looking to retain the aesthetics of a bygone era without compromising on modern conveniences. On the other hand, the slim frames and expansive panes of uninterrupted glass make aluminium ideal for more modern builds. At the end of the day, both uPVC and aluminium double glazing are suitable for modern and traditional homes alike.
How to buy double glazing
The first step to purchasing double glazing is to research the market. Approach multiple companies and ask for quotes. From there, you’ll be able to draw up a shortlist of your favourite companies.
At this stage, it’s important to watch out for cowboy installers. Cowboys can be easily spotted as they’ll usually offer you a quote without seeing your home in person. A professional, trustworthy installer will offer you an at-home consultation. They’ll also only ever offer you a price after learning as much about your project as possible.
Choose your company
When choosing a double-glazing company, it’s important to research as much as possible and make sure you’re partnering with an experienced, reputable business. While the price is an important consideration, it shouldn’t be the only thing homeowners consider.
For example, it’s vital you feel comfortable with the people doing the work. Ask yourself…
- Do you like the company?
- Were they pleasant to deal with?
- Were they prompt, polite and professional?
There are also some basic background checks you can do. For starters, your chosen company should be registered by FENSA. FENSA is a government-authorised scheme that monitors building regulation compliance for the double-glazing industry. Every FENSA-approved installer is assessed regularly, so choosing a FENSA-approved company will ensure their range of products are subjected to routine quality control checks.
Another good indicator of a professional installer is TrustMark accreditation. Like FENSA, TrustMark registered businesses are vetted regularly to meet government-endorsed standards. As a result, a TrustMark-endorsed business will have made a considerable commitment to good customer service, technical competence and trading practices in order to receive their tick of approval.
Installation
After choosing a company, you can proceed with the installation. Installing double glazing can be a messy and noisy process. It’s always important to take down any blinds or curtains before your chosen company arrives. This will save time in the long run and prevent your blinds or curtains from getting dirty during installation.
At Majestic Designs, we employ our very own in-house team of FENSA-accredited and MTC-registered lead installers. Our team will get on with your project as quickly and as quietly as possible. Following the completion of your installation, we’ll also register your installation with FENSA and set up your government-endorsed insurance-backed guarantee from TrustMark.
Double glazing at Majestic Designs
Ultimately, if you do your due diligence when purchasing double glazing and carry out just a few basic checks, your home should be in safe hands. However, it’s still important to always trust your gut instincts when it comes to making such an important investment. Speak to the company on the phone, visit their showroom or book an appointment for them to visit you. That way, you’ll get a proper feel for whether or not you trust your chosen company with your property.
Majestic Designs has engineered high-quality, bespoke double glazing right here in Cheddar for more than 21 years. Manufactured in our state-of-the-art factories in the heart of Somerset, our double-glazed windows boast an A+14 energy efficiency rating across our range of windows, doors and conservatories. Our uPVC and aluminium products combine exceptional energy efficiency and heightened security with understated style and elegance. With a 10-year guarantee, you can rest assured your home can be enjoyed for years to come.
For more information about double glazing, get in touch with the team at Majestic Designs today.
