What to Consider When Buying Double-Glazed Windows for Your Home

Double-glazed windows come with plenty of benefits. They are energy efficient, which means low energy bills at the end of the month.  Also, with double-glazed windows, you don't have to deal with condensation, a common problem with single-glazed windows (condensation encourages the growth of mould and mildew and can also damage the framing if it's made of wood). Double-glazed windows provide acoustic insulation and enhance the security of your home by making it harder for a burglar to break through the glass and gain entry into your home as well. However, there are a few other things that you need to consider if you're thinking about buying them. Here are three:

The Type of Glass

The first thing you need to look at is the type of glass used on the double-glazed windows.  Glass come in a range of grades that differentiate their quality. Grade A, for instance, has the highest quality in terms of insulation properties, energy efficiency, etc. but you have to pay more for it.

You can also get other options such as toughened safety glass, self-cleaning glass and laminated or tempered glass. Tempered glass is usually the best when it comes to improved security, because this glass are specially treated to increase its strength. For safety purposes, laminated glass is designed to hold together when it shatters. This makes it an excellent choice for children's rooms.

The Coatings on The Glass

The glazing on double-glazed windows usually features coatings that are designed to provide extra properties to the glass. The coatings can enhance the energy efficiency and emissivity resistance of the glass or increase its UV resistance. You can choose glazing with as many coatings as possible but this will come at an extra cost. Nevertheless, low emissivity coatings are usually the most preferred because they enhance the overall efficiency the glass.

The Type of Insulating Cushion

Double-glazed windows have two panes of glass with a layer of either air or another type of gas between them. This layer of gas is what is referred to as the insulating cushion. Standard double-glazed windows usually have air. However, for improved energy efficiency, go for one that's filled with a different sort of gas. Inert gases such as argon and xenon are two that are commonly used. While this will cost you more, it is totally worth it because it will make a significant difference when it comes to your energy savings.

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