Higher energy efficiency is, by far, the biggest selling point for double glazed windows. It is definitely an investment worth making, and the savings in your monthly energy bills will add up, ensuring that the windows pay for themselves within a few years.

That said, all double glazed windows are not the same. In regards to their performance, the insulating properties of these windows will depend on several factors, including the following.

Type and Thickness of Glass

Different types of glass can be used in the construction of window panes. For the most energy efficiency, you should consider choosing low emissivity glass, commonly referred to as Low-E, for your double glazed windows. This type of glass is highly efficient, reducing heat gain in the hotter months and heat loss during the colder months.

You can also choose to tint, laminate and use other types of films and coats over your glass to increase their thermal efficiency. These films have the bonus advantage of improving your windows' aesthetic appeal.

The thickness of your glass panes also greatly influences their thermal insulation. The typical glass thickness is 4 mm, but if you want better insulation, then you should go for something thicker.

Size of Gap Between the Window Panes

You want to make sure that you get it just right with the size of the gap between the panes. Double glazed windows with too small or too big a gap are not the best insulators. The ideal gap will depend on several factors, including the climate in your area, but a 12 mm is often recommended. You can speak to an expert about the best choice for your property.

What's in the Gap?

Double glazed windows with the gap between the panes filled with inert gases perform better than those that have a vacuum. Coming to the inert gases, argon is a popular choice as it is cheaper than other options such as krypton and xenon. If you are willing to spend more, krypton does offer even better insulation.

Inside the edges of the glass are pane spacers to help keep the panes apart. Foam spacers and other warm-edge spacers with no metal in their construction perform better than metallic pane spacers. This is because metals are excellent thermal conductors.

Get It Right

There is a wide range of options to choose when buying and installing double glazed windows. Pay attention to the glass type and thickness, as well as the size of the gap between the panes and what fills it, and you can look forward to excellent energy efficiency.

For more information about double glazed windows, contact a local window service.