If you have double glazing, you no doubt love it. However, given it’s been traditionally used in colder climates like Europe, a lot of Aussies are missing out.
So what is double glazing? Double-glazing uses two panes of glass fixed a small distance apart in a single frame. Where a single pane of glass (single glazing) can lose almost 10 times the heat of an insulated wall, double-glazing significantly reduces this loss of heat by up to 80% in winter. So if you don’t have double-glazing, your heating appliances are working extra hard to keep the cold out.
But double glazing isn’t just for cold climates. Double glazing is a smart choice for homes everywhere - because it keeps the heat out as much as it keeps the heat in, by almost 30% - and it’s an increasingly popular option for Aussies looking to save on energy and keep their families in year-round comfort.
Wondering if you should make the move to double glazing? Let’s take a look at the many benefits of double glazing and what to think about when you’re considering double glazing for your home.
1. Energy efficient
Double glazing is also known as insulated glazing. Like any other form of insulation, they reduce the heat that is transferred through it – meaning less heat is lost from your home in winter and less heat is gained in summer. That makes them very energy efficient. In fact, in many European countries, homes have to have double-glazing by law, and some homes even opt for triple-glazing. Given Australia’s extreme climate, double-glazed windows are the smart choice.
Compared to single glazing, double glazing helps reduce heat loss or gain in your home by almost 30%. That means you’ll use heating or cooling in your home less (and it will work more efficiently when you do use it). This helps lower your energy consumption and minimises your energy bills.
2. Lessen noise pollution
Heat isn’t the only thing that double=glazing blocks. It also reduces noise. If you live near a busy road, you’ll notice that double glazing has a big impact on the noise pollution that makes its way into your home. Double glazing provides an extra layer of glass, making it a thicker barrier between your family inside your home and the noisy world outside. It’s particularly helpful if you’re a light sleeper or if you have young children you don’t want to be disturbed.
3. Reduced condensation
If you’re keeping your house warm inside while the temperature drops outside, you’ve probably noticed condensation forms on single glazing. Condensation happens when the warm air inside comes into contact with the glass cooled by the chilly outside air, and it can be a problem because the extra moisture can promote the growth of mould and mildew, which can have an impact on your health.is a big health no-no.
Double glazing reduces condensation by providing an extra barrier between the inside warmth and the outside cold - which means less chance of mildew (and if you’ve got kids, less temptation to run hands over wet windows).
4. Feel safer
heir frames, accommodating two panes of glass, are typically harder to forcefully open from the outside and are harder to smash or breakthrough than single panes (Canstar, 2023). With your window closed, you can rest easy knowing that your family are safely protected by a double barrier. This extra strength is also helpful in bad weather.
Tips for selecting double glazing
Double glazing comes in a variety of styles to suit your needs. Be sure to shop around for the right supplier - we can help with our trusted network of tradies - and do your research in advance. Here’s what to consider.
The frame: As well as an obvious aesthetic choice, the type of material used in a window’s frame can impact its thermal performance (in other words, how well it lets heat in our out). Aluminium, timber and uPVC (a hard plastic) are common options, with uPVC performing the best at insulating and aluminium the least.
The gap: The gap between the two panes of glass can affect how well it insulates your home. Ideally, the gap size should be 12mm for maximum thermal performance. However, if you are considering double glazing primarily for its ability to reduce noise, a gap of 50-100mm works better. What the gap is filled with can also vary. It can be filled with air or a special gas like argon, which is denser and more inert than air, making it a better insulator.
The glass: You may also wish to choose a special type of glass to further improve the performance of double glazing. Low-e glass (low emissivity glass) has a special coating that reduces heat transfer (Build.com.au, 2023). It comes in two types:
- High transmission low-e glass lets the heat from the sun in but reduces the amount of heat that escapes out of the window.
- Low transmission low-e glass reduces the amount of heat that comes in from the sun.
Find a trusted insulation installer near you here.