Reduce Energy Costs With Double-Glazing

Energy usage is often determined by how much heat is transferred to and from a building envelope via inadequate insulation and air leaks around doors and windows. Adding insulation to the attic and walls is good, but double-glazed window and door glass contributes greatly to the reduction in heat transfer.

An insulated glass unit is fabricated from two pieces of glass, an aluminium or vinyl separator filled with a desiccant and a sealant that holds it all together. This double-glazed unit may be glazed into doors, windows, skylights and other fenestration products. The energy loss through conduction is reduced by as much as seventy percent, depending upon the type of glass used and the depth of the dead-air-space between the pieces of glass. As well standard annealed glass, there is also low-emissivity glass that uses a microscopic metallic film to reflect heat either back to the inside or outside, depending on which surface the film is applied to. Inert gasses may be added to the unit for further reduction of heat transfer.

In construction, ?R ratings? are the measurement of the energy transference of materials. In insulation, the higher the R-value, the better it performs. In the case of glass, the lower the number, the better the performance. Glass R-values range from R-5 for single glazing to R1.3 for double-glazing with Low-E glass and Argon gas.

Other key ingredients in improving the energy efficiency of glazed units; doors, windows and skylights; is the introduction of better weather sealing. The modern fenestration units incorporate weather-seals of wool pile with Mylar fins and bulb vinyl compression strips, both of which reduce the airflow around, under and over sashes. The reduction in airflow means less energy loss through convection.

Modern window designs allow for glazing for up to one inch in depth, so coupled with the tighter seal around sashes, these windows greatly reduce energy loss, enough so that they will usually ?pay for themselves? in three to five years by the reduction in energy bills for both heating and cooling. When new windows are installed in a properly prepared opening, modern caulks and flexible sealants are used, thus the entire building envelope is tighter with less drafts and energy loss.

In addition to the benefit of lower energy costs, the new windows produce little or no draft. Also, the outside noises are reduced by up to forty percent. New window in a residence or commercial building are energy efficient, better for one?s health and contribute greatly to the quietness of the building interior.

Modern window frame material also contributes to the energy use reduction by diminishing the heat transfer through the frame material as well as in the better weather-stripping. Polyvinyl fluoride, PVC, is often used in residential windows because of the non-conductive nature of PVC. Where aluminium commercial windows are used, they have a non-conductive material poured into a pocket in extrusions, which is then ?debridged,? the conductive aluminium on the bottom of the pocket is removed.

The selection of double-glazed window units for building upgrades is smart. Not only do the new windows look great, but they will save energy expenditures, even paying for themselves by this savings. They reduce illness-producing drafts and provide a quiet atmosphere for any home or office. A double glazing quote is good business.

Martin Troughton is an expert in the home improvement field. If you are looking for a double glazing quote or want further information regarding a home improvement related service please visit http://www.anglianhome.co.uk