Many homes in the UK still make use of single pane windows. These are notoriously poor at containing heat and insulating the home, leading to heat loss, and damaging the overall energy efficiency of a home significantly. In this article, we’ll talk about how Triple Glazing Works to improve your homes Thermal Efficiency.
How is Heat Lost from the Home?
Heat is primarily lost from the home because of two processes: Radiation and Conduction
Around 2/3 of heat lost through a window is lost due to the Radiation of the heat through the glazing. The heat is ‘radiated’ with the glass panel (or panels) absorbing the heat from within the home. Radiation occurs because of Conduction.
Conduction is the process by which heat energy flows from hotter to colder regions. It usually is most efficient in metals and ‘conductors. The glass pane absorbs the heat from within the home and transmits it out.
How Much Heat is Lost?
After roofing, windows are the second largest source of heat loss in a home – usually causing 10-18% of the heat lost from a home. Glass is an excellent conductor, especially Single Pane Glass Windows. Older Windows are especially problematic because their frames will often have decayed, and gaps will have opened which will allow even more heat to escape. Even modern
Heat Efficiency is rated by a ‘U’ Value (also called a U-factor or Thermal Transmittance). This measures the insulating ability of a material or structure. For example, a wall will usually have a U rating of around 0.3. A single Pane of Glass on the other hand, has a U-factor of around 5.6. Triple Glazing on the other hand has a fantastic value of 0.8.
What does Triple Glazing do differently?
Single Pane Windows lack proper insulation. There is effectively nothing to prevent the movement of heat from the interior of the glass pane to the exterior.
Triple Glazing is different. There are three panes of glass separated by two spacers which are filled two pockets of inert gas – usually argon gas. Argon gas is a poor conductor of heat. It is denser than air and so the heat moves much more slowly through it. In some cases, the Windows are also provided with an internal ‘reflective’ layer. This layer works to, as the name indicates, reflect the heat back into the home and prevents more of it from escaping through the glass panes.
It does not ‘trap’ the heat or prevent it from escaping, but it ensures this occurs over a much slower span of time and so in the long term prevent a significant amount of heat loss and massively increase energy efficiency.
Triple Glazing Windows come in heavy frames as well – often built from material like uPVC. These are highly resilient to damage and do not rot or flake, with strong sealants as well. This ensures that other leaks or gaps won’t emerge – guaranteeing long term Energy Efficiency for your home. It also adds to the general security of your home as well.
Energy Efficiency and other Benefits of Triple Glazing
The primary benefit of increased energy efficiency is less spent on heating bills. While cheap to install, single glazed windows overtime causes a significant loss of heating and will require you to run your heating to remain warm – especially during the winter. With Triple Glazing, this isn’t the issue, and in the long run you can save a significant amount on heating bills (especially as they continue to grow).
These aren’t the only benefits. Triple Glazing will also increase property value, provide increased security, and significantly improve the appearance of your home. Triple Glazing comes in a range of different designs and styles. Likewise, the uPVC material they’re made from ensures they’re long lasting.
Double or Triple Glazing?
Double Glazing is another option for those wanting to insulate their home and improve its heat efficiency. Double Glazing has a U-Value of 2.8, which while not as great as that of Triple Glazing remains very effective and significantly superior to that of a single glazed window. There’s some debate as to whether to invest into Double or Triple Glazing.
In the long-term Triple Glazing is a superior investment. It is far better as insulating the home and provides a way to cut down on heating bills and energy loss. It is a more expensive initial investment, but in the long run will allow you to recoup the investment by significantly lessening your heating bills.
Double Glazing still provides these benefits, but at a much-reduced rate. It will not provide the same level of increased property value, nor will it reduce heating bills by the same amount, though it is still a valuable investment.
For expert double glazing information see The Advanced Group Edinburgh now.