Benefits of Replacing Your Windows Before Winter
With winter comes cold weather, which means you need to prepare your home for the chilly conditions that are about to set in. What many people don’t know is that sub-zero degrees can weaken the glass, causing it to crack. As such, leaving decrepit, old windows standing during winter could lead to dangerous conditions, making your home unsafe, especially for little children. To keep this from happening, you are advised to replace old windows before winter sets in to ensure your home stays safe and warm throughout the cold season.
One problem with old and leaky windows is that they allow draughts of cold, chilly air to seep into the house, something that could lead to increased energy bills during winter. Having well-fitted windows installed will mean cold air stays out, and less energy is used to keep your home warm – allowing you to save on heating.
Options to Consider When Replacing Your Windows
Secondary Glazing
Secondary glazing can be useful in situations where replacement windows aren’t suitable and are perfect for traditional homes, listed buildings, houses in conservation areas, and windows that do not need to be replaced. Secondary glazing is the process of adding an extra glazed window pane on the inside of an existing window. This window is held in place by a slim strong and hard-wearing aluminium that’s sealed around the edges. The most common secondary glazing systems made are sliding units that slide either vertically or horizontally. Other options available include hinged units, tilt back vertical sliders, fixed units, and lift-out units.
Secondary Glazing Benefits:
– Draught proofing
– Noise reduction and soundproofing (can reduce external noise by up to 75%)
– Provides extra security
– Improves heat retention
Triple Glazing
Triple glazed windows are the option to go for when thinking about replacing your windows. Modern building regulations have become more stringent when it comes to thermal efficiency. One way to compare a window’s energy performance is to use the U-value, as it is used when comparing floors, walls, and roofs. Over the years, window U-values have dropped by a considerable margin. Back when single glazing was the only option available, windows had a U-value of over 5. This figure reduced to 3 with the introduction of double-glazing windows (modern double-glazing windows have a U-value of 1.1 all thanks to advances in glazing technology.) Triple glazing windows, on the other hand, have a centre pane U-value of about .6 and offer over 40 per cent better insulation than A-rated double-glazed windows.
Triple Glazing Benefits:
– Security. Triple-glazed windows are more secure thanks to an extra pane of toughened glass.
– Heat Retention. Triple-glazed windows have a microscopic layer of low-emissivity glass coating that keeps indoor heat from escaping.
Aluminium Windows
Aluminium is a high-strength, lightweight material that’s used in practically all facets of the construction industry today – from curtain walling on skyscrapers to patio doors in homes. Aluminium doors and windows are the preferred material for specifiers and architects on commercial applications and are increasingly becoming popular amongst homeowners. The material is debatably one of the most sustainable building materials known to man and is highly recyclable. However, aluminium windows and doors have gone to a whole new level thanks to polyamide technology, which has considerably improved the material’s thermal insulation qualities. As a result, thermally-broken aluminium doors and windows offer improved energy efficiency and insulation.
Aluminium Window Benefits:
– They are environmentally-friendly.
– They are easier to clean compared to uPVC windows as they have lesser static electricity (they don’t attract dust.)
– Aluminium is highly recyclable and extremely durable.
