What is double glazing and how does it work?

Double-glazing is a window consisting of two panes of glass separated by a layer of trapped argon gas. The layer of argon gas has 67% of thermal conductivity of air, making it a poor conductor of heat, thus keeping warm air trapped inside your home and helping improve energy efficiency.

This extra pane of glass also acts as a secondary barrier to noise, helping keep your home nice and quiet, and strengthens the window to improve security.

Does double / triple glazing reduce your utility bills and energy usage?

If you’re replacing older units you can be pretty confident it will save energy and therefore money on your bills. This does depend on the type of window you choose – all our window styles have a range of different energy efficiency ratings.

Why does my double glazing suffer from condensation?

Having double glazing should reduce condensation and mist build-up as the inner pane is warmer than the outer pane, thus acting as a heat barrier. However, if you are noticing condensation or mist forming in between the panes of glass in your double glazing, then this could be due to a fault in the sealed unit.

You might not even be able to see the fault, but even the smallest hole can let air pass through, increasing the chances of moisture build-up.

If you are getting condensation on the outside pane of glass, it shows how well your windows are performing as the heat from within your home isn’t escaping, keeping the outer pane cooler than the outside air.

However if you have condensation on the internal pane of glass, it is probably caused by poor ventilation. For example, if you don’t have an extractor fan in the bathroom, then moisture from the bath and shower will settle as condensation. Opening a window can help reduce condensation until the problem is fixed.

Why is there a draught coming from my double glazing?

Your double-glazed windows are sealed units and, therefore, should not let any draughts pass through them. If you are feeling a draught from your double glazing, it could be something as simple as a vent is open or it could be more serious and could be due to a fault in the seal around the frame. Make sure that the frame is airtight to the brickwork.

If you have a window that opens then a draught could be caused by the window not being shut properly, so double check that there are no faults with the locking mechanism and that the window fits snuggly against the frame when closed. Any gaps could let in air and cause a draught.