| Why replace your single-glazed windows with | | | | keeping your house warmer and helping you do |
| double glazing ? For most, the precipitating | | | | your bit in the conservation of natural |
| factor for looking into double glazing is a | | | | resources. Especially in rooms with large |
| need for new construction (or renovation) to | | | | windows, the difference in temperature in the |
| conform to modern energy standards. Others | | | | room is easily noticeable. Sitting by a |
| decide to replace their windows as an energy | | | | large, double-glazed picture window is far, |
| saving measure. The main advantage that | | | | far more comfortable on a chill winter |
| double glazing offers over traditional | | | | night.Style and DesignDouble glazing is |
| windows is insulation. Because nearly 25% of | | | | available in many different styles and types, |
| your heat is lost through your windows, | | | | and most people attempt to match the style of |
| well-made and well-fitted double glazing can | | | | their old windows with the new if at all |
| reduce your heating costs by as much as half | | | | possible, especially when doing restoration |
| depending on the amount of glass in your | | | | work. A good, reputable contractor will work |
| home.Some of the things to consider when | | | | with you to find double glazing windows that |
| shopping for double glazing for your home are | | | | suit your architecture and enhance your |
| safety, energy conservation, style, type of | | | | home's beauty.FramesThe three main frame |
| frame, type of glass, cost and installation. | | | | types are PVCu, aluminum and wood, and each |
| Each of these are important in your choice. | | | | has its unique advantages and disadvantages. |
| Most will affect the price that you pay - and | | | | In a nutshell - PVCu frames are best at |
| all will affect your pleasure and comfort in | | | | energy conservation, aluminum frames are the |
| your home for years to come.SafetySingle pane | | | | sturdiest, and wooden frames are the most |
| windows are most often made of a single sheet | | | | attractive - at least in the view of some. |
| of regular glass which shatters into long, | | | | For more detailed information about the |
| sharp shards when hit. When shopping for | | | | advantages of each, see the related |
| double glazing, you have a choice of several | | | | articles.Type of GlassSafety glass, tempered |
| different kinds of glass, each of which are | | | | glass, low-e glass, Pilkington K glass - |
| safer on breaking than traditional window | | | | there are many types of glass that are used |
| panes. If nothing else, the double thickness | | | | in double glazing. Glass with energy coatings |
| reduces the chances that both panes will be | | | | - the low-e and Pilkington K among them - add |
| broken. Whether you use security glass, | | | | further insulating properties to your |
| toughened glass or shatterproof glass, double | | | | windows, and can certainly be worth that |
| glazing offers some measure of safety over | | | | additional expense.InstallationShop for a |
| single glazing.SecurityThere's no doubt that | | | | contractor and supplier as carefully as you |
| double glazing makes it more difficult for a | | | | do for glass. Shoddily done work can negate |
| thief or intruder to break into your home by | | | | all the advantages gained in choosing to |
| the simple expedient of breaking a window | | | | replace your current windows with double |
| pane and reaching through the hole - but real | | | | glazing. Look into the company's history and |
| security has more to do with the window | | | | check for any complaints against them, even |
| frames and locking systems than with the | | | | ask for references from others for whom they |
| glass itself. Be sure to choose windows with | | | | have done work. Installing double glazing |
| frames that can be securely locked from the | | | | throughout your house is an expensive |
| inside.Energy ConservationDouble glazing can | | | | proposition - it only makes sense to know the |
| reduce heat lost through windows by as much | | | | people who will be doing the work. |
| as 50%, thereby reducing your heating bills, | | | | |