‘Double glazing’ may sound like it has something to do with the world’s greatest donuts, or a tricky snowboarding maneuver, but it’s far more interesting – and useful – than either of those things (even if we do love a good donut).

‘Double glazing’ is a term that relates to glass, and while it may sound technical, the reality is it’s rather simple: two panes of glass placed together within a single window frame. These two panes are separated by – and bonded together – by a spacer. The resulting gap is filled with gas or air before being vacuum sealed, which creates an insulated break between the panes of glass.

Air and gas, as you’re probably aware, aren’t the best conductors of heat, meaning that these elements stop outside temperatures from getting inside a building, and inside temperatures from escaping outside. Of the two, gas does a much better job of providing insulation, particularly argon, as it’s not only a poor conductor of heat, but also a poor conductor of sound, giving the window noise-reduction properties.

There’s another reason why gas is typically the preferred choice for a double-glazed window: unlike air, it doesn’t contain moisture particles that can create unsightly condensation between the two panes.

The distance of the gap between the two glass panes is also important, as it has a direct effect on the quality of the thermal and noise insulation. Although gaps can range from between 6mm and 20mm, 12mm is usually considered the optimum distance for thermal insulation; a larger gap of 150mm is recommended if noise insulation is more of a concern, although this makes the thermal insulation slightly less effective.

There are also different types of glass that are used for double glazing, each with their own benefits, as well as various laminates, films and tints to choose from that can increase the thermal and noise insulation. One popular option is to apply solar film to the outside of the window, which can reduce glare and ultra-violet rays by up to 22 per cent, thus protecting your interior from UV damage.

Key double-glazed window benefits:

• Better insulation equals lower energy bills You can expect to have your power bills lowered by more than 20 per cent.

• Sustainability Double-glazed windows mean less reliance on energy-sucking heating and cooling devices.

• Noise reduction Double-glazed windows can reduce noise reduction by up to 60 per cent.

• Highly effective insulation It’s estimated that almost half of all heat loss during winter and nearly 90 per cent of heat gain during summer can come from windows and doors. Double-glazing assists by being up to four times more effective for thermal insulation when compared to single-glazed glass.

• Safety and security It’s secure due to its thickness, making it more difficult to break. Special security glass is also available to strengthen the glass even further.

• Bonus benefit Double-glazed glass will increase the value of your property, as it’s an attractive, sought-after feature.

For more information, contact your Express Glass Account Manager Beth Pope on 0420 375 240, or [email protected]