Double Glazing: What You Need To Know

Double glazed windows and doors are an important investment for every home/property owner. These windows contribute significantly to your home’s energy efficiency and comfort levels hence a vital investment. It is for these reasons and more that you should strive to ensure you get the best value for your money when you order for these window panes and doors. Some of the key factors to consider when selecting glazing for your windows include:

1. Low-E glass: Emittance is the value used to measure how much radiant heat the glazed windows can absorb or emit. Experts recommend going for a Low-E glass as it reduces solar gain and heat loss, especially in winter. Most manufacturers include a Low-E coating on each pane to contribute to reducing heat loss thus a warmer home.

2. Double or triple glazing: Double glazing makes windows and doors energy efficient as they can reduce heat loss/gain by at least 30%. If installed correctly, your heating and ventilation bills should reduce significantly, as the HVAC systems won’t be straining at all. While double glazed windows are recommended in most areas, triple glazing is recommended for colder regions. Triple glazed windows perform much better than double glazed ones, hence more energy efficient.

3. Glazing films: Glazing films are commonly used on existing windows. These films help reduce heat gain or loss, as well as the amount of light passing through the glass panes. Reflective coatings and toned glass are two of the most common types of glazing films available today. Reflective coatings, however, perform much better than toned glass.

Choosing The Right Double Glazing Installer
Although the manufacturers may provide you with the best quality available, poor installation of the same can have devastating effects on its performance. It would therefore be wise to find a reputable and experienced contractor to install the windows for you. Some of the key factors to consider when looking for a double glazing installer include:

1. Solid Reputation: The contractor’s reputation matters a lot especially when handling such a delicate and expensive investment. One of the best ways to determine a contractor’s reputation is by looking into his/her portfolio and record of accomplishments. You may also have to consider the contractor’s customer reviews and testimonials too to have an idea of who you will be dealing with. A few bad ratings, however, don’t mean the installer is bad at all.

2. Experience: Vast experience in double glazing installations is a plus for the candidates. It is through experience that the installer will be capable of ensuring there are no leaks or spaces between the glass and window frames. Although newbie installers may be as good, your priority should be hiring someone with at least three years active experience in the same.

3. After sales service and guarantees: The contractor should be able to provide you with a service guarantee on installations, as well as an after-sales service should you need their help. The guarantee should be comprehensive (covering at least 5 years) for you to be on the safe side. Double glazed windows can last a lifetime when and if installed correctly, which is why you need a comprehensive guarantee for the same.

As long as you can get a trusted double glazing firm to supply you with the window panes, and a reputation, experienced contractor for installation and fitting, you should be able to enjoy a warmer and more comfortable home even in the coldest weather.

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