What to Look For When Buying Double Glazing
As we head into winter here in the UK, you may be considering upgrading your windows with modern double glazing. For many households, installing double glazing means a warmer, more comfortable home during the chillier months as well as cheaper energy bills.
If you’re considering refurbishing your home with replacement windows, then a bit of insider knowledge can make the difference between purchasing energy-efficient, high-quality windows and cheap alternatives.
So what is double glazing? And will it lower your energy bills?
What is double glazing?
As the name suggests, a double-glazed window is a window with two layers of glass. Engineered with a small gap between the two panes and other energy-efficient technology including internal beading and weatherproof seals, double glazing is designed to insulate a home by reducing heat loss, as well as decrease any noise pollution that may be entering your home externally.
When it comes to your new windows, double glazing boasts a number of benefits over single glazing. Advantages include:
- Effective soundproofing – New windows engineered with durable uPVC or aluminium and combined with modern double glazing can successfully reduce noise pollution. If you live on a busy street or in an area with heavy foot traffic, double glazing can effectively soundproof your home and transform your living spaces into a tranquil oasis. For added insulation, you might also like to consider upgrading your double glazing even further with acoustic glass.
- Reduction in heat loss and condensation – By improving the energy efficiency of your home, you and your family will benefit from warmer, more comfortable living spaces in the winter. This is because double glazing provides better insulation than single glazing, meaning less heat loss, condensation and damp.
- Better security – Double glazing is not only more difficult to break, but often comes engineered with internal beading and modern multipoint, key-operated locking mechanisms.
The primary advantage of installing new windows is heightened thermal insulation. Double glazing effectively retains heat within a home and stops cold air from entering. As a result, installing high-quality double glazed windows ensures your home is kept warm and dry throughout the colder months of the year.
Will double glazing reduce my energy bills?
The biggest motivation for many homeowners to upgrade their windows is a reduction in energy bills. This is especially pertinent here in the UK, where a combination of unrelenting winter weather and older-style single-glazed windows can result in soaring energy costs and damp, uncomfortable living spaces. According to the Energy Saving Trust, double glazed windows can save you the hassle of costly energy bills – simply replacing single glazed windows in a semi-detached gas-heated property with modern double glazing can save a homeowner up to £235 a year.
Window energy ratings
The energy performance of your new windows will be impacted by a number of factors. Fortunately, there is a rating scheme that can assist you in finding the perfect, most energy-efficient windows for your property.
Similar to energy labels on appliances, double glazing has its own energy efficiency rating system. As a result, windows are often advertised with a Window Energy Rating, also known as the WER scale. The energy rating system is run by the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC), with ratings starting at E (lowest) and going up to A++ (highest). Building regulations require all new windows to be at least C-rated.
When purchasing new windows, it is crucial you look out for the energy rating label. The energy efficiency rating of your window will give you an indicator of its performance and how much you can expect to save on your energy bills.
Upgrading Your Windows at Majestic Designs
As we head into another long and blustery winter, homeowners across the UK are looking for ways to avoid astronomical energy bills without compromising on comfort or warmth. As a result, many are looking for new windows with modern double glazing as a solution.
Just as you would when buying a new appliance for your home, it is important to keep an eye out for the energy rating label when buying new windows. Your window’s energy efficiency rating will let you know how well it performs, as well as how much you can expect to save as energy bills skyrocket. It’s also important to watch out for cowboy installers – there is little point in purchasing high-quality windows if they’re not installed properly!
When it comes to reputable window fabrication and installation, Majestic Designs are the very best. Our team have been engineering our uPVC and aluminium window products for more than 20 years. Manufactured with innovative double glazing, internal beading and durable weatherproof seals as standard, our range of windows comes with an A+14 energy efficiency rating on the WER scale and are fitted to the highest possible standard by our fully employed team of FENSA-accredited and MTC-registered lead installers.
If you would like any more information about double glazing or are ready to book your at-home consultation, contact our team today.
