Installing double-glazing in your home can be a great way of improving the energy efficiency of your property and can save you money on your energy bills year after year. Double glazing is very popular, with over 90% of homes in the UK fitted with double glazed windows. Additionally, the government approved funding in 2021 for £1.5M of investment to fit double glazing in 700 council homes. However, with initial set-up costs to consider, it can be difficult to determine whether double glazing is cost-effective and if double glazing is worth it for your family. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of double glazed windows and just how effective it actually is, just in time for you to make plans for heating your home for next winter.
Double glazing is incredibly effective at keeping your house insulated, blocking out drafts and reducing noise from outside up to 75%. Not only that, the benefits of double glazed windows also extend to:
Improved security
Increased safety
Decreased condensation
Less heat lost
Temperature regulation
Reduced window glare
Less fading stains on furniture
Double glazed windows can improve the warmth of your house by up to 64%. With increased safety and security, you can rest assured that the windows in your property not only help you sleep at a more comfortable temperature, but also with less anxiety surrounding break-ins. Additionally, there’s no longer any need to rotate your rugs every few months or keep your dark pieces of furniture out of direct sunlight. As light passes through two panes of glass, the glare from the sun is reduced and therefore fading stains are dramatically decreased. In short, double glazing is incredibly effective and a must-have in any modern home.
What is double glazing?
Double glazed windows are windows that are made from two panes of glass. The windows are sold as sealed units, usually in timber, aluminium or uPVC. The two sheets of glass work together to reduce heat loss, noise and drafts by filling the internal air gap with insulating gas.
Double glazing can save you between £105-£155 in energy a year for an average detached household. Reports show that approximately 7% of houses in the UK still don’t have double glazing! Single glazed windows lose heat twice as fast as double glazed windows, meaning you'd have to spend almost 50% more on energy to heat your home. With energy prices rising quickly, installing double glazing is a cost-effective way to keep your home warm. Moreover, with double-glazing having a lifespan of approximately 20 years or more, you should save over £2000 in cost savings over this period, partly negating some of your installation costs.
Is double gazing worth it?
We always advise our customers that, yes, double glazing is definitely worth it. It is a worthwhile investment that will improve the comfort of your home and add value to your house through energy efficiency ratings and aesthetics. Although it may seem like a large up-front cost, double glazing is worth it when you consider the long-term benefits and the long-term investment you are adding to your home.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Double Glazed Windows
Advantages:
Makes your home more energy efficient
As we've touched on, installing double glazed windows in your home can help your home be more energy-efficient, especially when compared to single glazed window households. This means you can enjoy lower heating bills and a warmer house throughout the cold winter, with no drafts or breezes. Additionally, double glazing helps houses regulate temperature better, giving you more control over the stability of the temperature in your home. So, say goodbye to roaring hot spells followed by chilly lulls; double glazing ensures a comfortable, ambient temperature year-round.
Makes your house look newer
Double glazing provides more than just energy-related benefits. Installing new windows helps your house to appear fresher and newer, and improve the appearance of your home. Double glazed windows come in a variety of styles, ensuring you can choose a style that's sympathetic to the style of your house.
Reduced condensation
We're sure everybody has dealt with condensation before. In poorly insulated homes, condensation can occur, causing your windows to become damp, ultimately leading to unwanted mould around your window seals. Say goodbye to condensation with double glazing. As condensation occurs when hot air meets a cold surface, double glazing fixes this problem. Instead, the warm air in your home will come into contact with the internal pane of glass, which remains at your home's preferred temperature, therefore not resulting in condensation. There are many benefits to insulating your home, including reduced environmental impact and improved comfort.
Improved soundproofing
Do you often hear the bin lorry coming down your road, or can you hear someone sneeze as they walk by your house? With double glazing, soundproofing is dramatically increased, resulting in a much quieter home. This is because noise now has to travel between two panes of glass instead of one, resulting in sound pollution decreasing by half. This is great for those who live in busy neighbourhoods or near motorways.
Increases your property value
Due to the many benefits that double glazing offers, installing double glazing can actually increase your property value. Nowadays, energy efficiency is an extremely important factor for many buyers when looking at houses. So, not only will your house sell for more, but it will also sell quicker due to how appealing double glazed windows are.
Double glazed windows are fitted as one sealed unit. Due to this, if the window is damaged in any way, or the seal becomes compromised, the entire unit has to be replaced. This can be a costly job, as you will have to pay for a replacement window and for a tradesperson to fit it.
Aesthetic isn't sympathetic for older houses
While uPVC windows can look seamless in new houses, the aesthetic is less sympathetic to older houses. For example, if you were to replace the original sash windows in old houses with new uPVC windows, it may not be in keeping with the original character of the home. Additionally, you cannot replace just one window; you'd have to replace them all to ensure the house retains aesthetic cohesion.
Large up-front cost
While you can save hundreds of pounds in energy by installing double glazed windows, there are still up-front costs. You have to consider the initial cost of purchasing and installing the windows, which can often put many people off. However, this cost could be reduced by obtaining a loan under the government's Green Deal or local authority grants.
Houses stay hot in summer
As double-glazing is so effective at keeping your house warm, and for us Brits, this is necessary for 75% of the year; however, this can be less desirable in summer. Lack of ventilation can be a disadvantage during the summer months, as double glazing will conserve the heat in your home, essentially turning your home into a greenhouse. However, this can be avoided. Opening your windows and ensuring sufficient airflow around your home can reduce the amount of heat trapped in your house, making the temperature inside more comfortable.
Ultimately, after weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of double glazed windows, we believe double glazing to be worth it. And as you have read, there are many reasons why so many households in the UK choose to have double glazing in their homes! Contact a member of our team to find out how to make further savings on your energy costs by securing the best deal on your domestic heating oil.
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