Double Glazed Units – How Do I Pick?

The question for most people looking to replace single glazed windows with double glazed units is why should I bother. On the face of it the answer is fairly apparent but when thinking of upgrading your your windows to double glazed units there is a lot you need to bear in mind. Some exchange there windows because the old ones are rotting and others want to save a few pound on heating bills which have of late spiralled out of control. No matter what your reason is it's a good idea to look at all the gains before spending our hard earned cash.

One fundamental factor that needs to be taken into consideration when changing your windows is safety. A single glazed window when it breaks can be very dangerous. It shatters into many bits and shards some of them very long and extremely sharp. These pieces can be hurled many feet away from the break and can pose a serious hazard to anyone standing in the vicinity. The double glazed unit on the other hand is inherently much stronger and harder to break particularly if they are fitted with safety glass.

When it comes to the security of your home sadly single glazed units don't offer you very much security from a thief or burglar. The single glazed frame can be removed in it's entirety or the glass can easily be smashed enabling the burglar to gain access to your home very easily. When combined with windows that don't have a locking mechanism it leaves your house vulnerable to attack. Double glazed units have many anti burglar devices built in. The glass is much harder to break, the frames are stronger and they come fitted with security locks on the windows as standard.

One of the worst things about single glazed units particularly in cold climes is the fact they allow a lot of heat from the home to escape into the outside world. These days with energy costs as high as they are it's like burning your hard made cash. Also large panes of single glazing are a cold spot in your home and are not very comfortable to sit by. Double glazed units can save you up to 40% of this lost heat. Standard double glazing is very efficient but if you pay just a little bit more you can add energy efficient glass which has a special coating to help reflect heat from a room back into the home.

When deciding whether double glazing your house is a good idea take the following into consideration. Unlike single glazing which is inserted into wooden frames double glazed units can be installed in many more different frame types. One of the most popular is PVCu which can now be manufactured in many different colors and is almost entirely maintenance free. The elderly problem of the frames fading has now been addressed and you can be sure they'll look great for the lifetime of the windows. Timber frames can still be fitted if desired but they will need maintaining if you want to keep them looking great. Whichever double glazing you choose you can rest assured that they will enhance the look and increase the value of your house.