Double glazing

Our guide to double and secondary-glazing options.

We’ve done the research so you don’t have to

Better window insulation can make your home comfier all year round and there are a variety of ways to achieve this. These options vary in cost and effectiveness – and the most expensive may not be best for you.

First steps

Touch a windowpane on a cold day and it’ll feel cold. It’s likely to be as cold as the outside air. When the warm (inside) air hits the windowpane, it cools and the heat escapes outside.

There are 2 ways of dealing with this: using curtains to keep the warm inside air away from the windows or improving the heat loss from the windows through some form of double-glazing.

New homes or major renovations

The building code now lays down minimum requirements for new windows – that’s almost certain to mean double-glazing.

Existing homes

Make sure you’ve blocked draughts – and that you’ve insulated your ceilings, under the floor, and maybe the walls too. Once you’ve done this, the windows will be the cause of most heat-loss in winter and gain in summer. How much is lost (or gained) depends on where you live, the type of windows you have, how big they are, and the direction they face.

Fitting double-glazed or secondary-glazed windows (see ‘Glazing options’) is likely to improve winter and summer comfort and also reduce noise. It may also add to the house’s resale value. But it’ll take many years to pay for itself through reduced heating (or cooling) bills.

New double-glazed windows are effective. But research has shown that secondary-glazing of existing windows can be just as effective and cheaper – sometimes a lot cheaper.

But before you look at glazing options, you should get your curtains working as well as possible.

Curtains
A good set of curtains can be as effective as double-glazing at reducing heat loss from windows. But if the curtain is open it’s not doing anything – a layer of air must be trapped between the window and curtain.

What’s more, curtains with a gap at the top and the bottom can form a «reverse chimney». That’s when the cooled air from near the window falls out the bottom of the curtains and is replaced at the top by warm air from inside. This could be worse than having no curtain.

Although they’re no longer fashionable, pelmets help seal curtain tops. Sealing at the bottom can be improved by curtains that fall on to the window sills or touch the floor.

“Thermal curtains” have a plasticised coating on the reverse of the cloth. The coating helps stop air passing through the cloth – but that’s not the major cause of heat loss with curtains. The fitting of the curtains matters much more than the cloth. For more information see our Curtains report.

Glazing options

Secondary-glazing creates an air-gap by inserting a second pane of glass or other clear sheet behind an existing windowpane.

Above: double glazing

Double-glazing has 2 panes of glass (or a pane of glass and another clear sheet) spaced apart by a gap containing air or argon gas, (which is a better insulator than air).

This is then sealed to form an insulated glazing unit (IGU).

IGUs can have different insulation ratings. These depend on:

• whether standard or low-emissivity (low-e) glass is used
• the distance between the 2 panes
• the type of gas (air or argon) in the gap.

The edge-seal of an IGU must not be allowed to remain wet. That means these units must be installed in a frame that allows free drainage of water.

The unit can be fitted either directly into new window frames or retro-fitted into an existing window frame once the original glass is removed.

“Triple” glazing
This is used mostly in Northern-Europe and North America, where winter temperatures get much colder than here. “Triple” glazing uses 3 sheets of glass to create 2 air-gaps. This gives even greater thermal performance – but it needs an extra-wide frame and creates a heavy window.

15 Best Double Glazed Windows China in 2021(#4 is awesome)

15 Best Double Glazed Windows China in 2021(#4 is awesome)

Are you in search of the best method to keep the outside noise from driving you mad or prevent excess cold from taking your heating bills through the roof during the winter? In either case, the solution is getting double glazed windows.

These essential fixtures possess a plethora of benefits, making them worth every penny. What makes them so special is their ability to insulate your home from the environment better than other windows.

Therefore, choosing the perfect double glazing windows is a determining factor in the comfort and functionality of your building. However, buying one is relatively tricky as you need a cast well of knowledge to understand what’s the best option for your home.

Fortunately, this article provides the 15 best double glazed windows alongside additional reasons why they are the perfect fit for your building. Read on to learn more.

I. Roundup of Best Double Glazed Windows China

1. UPVC Double Glazed Sash Windows

Pic from Pinterest

If you desire a double glazed window that combines a traditional design with modern technology, then a uPVC sash window is a perfect fit for you. This impressive fixture employs an innovative spiral balance mechanism, which operates in the same way as a double glazed, wooden Sash window, and still maintains its authentic appearance.

While this excellent home equipment might seem very sophisticated, it is easy to clean and requires little maintenance and no painting. Additionally, uPVC double glazed sash windows come with a tilt function which permits the inward tilting of both Sash, making it easier to clean.

Unlike traditional frames, uPVC is extremely durable as it is resistant to salt, water, cold, heat, rain, snow etc. It can also function for several years without peeling, Folding, chipping, rotting, flaking, making it an all-round, more durable option.

Ultimately, installing uPVC in your home is a great alternative, as it’s visually appealing, easy to maintain, and insulates perfectly.

• Extremely durable
• Visually appealing
• Possesses a Spiral balance running mechanism
• Easy to maintain

• More expensive than most alternatives

2. Triangle Shaped Double Pane Windows

Pic from Pinterest

Windows are available in all shapes and sizes, giving you the liberty to choose a style more unique than the typical rectangular window. One of these recommended options is a triangle shaped double glazed window.

Triangle windows, otherwise known as raked or slating windows, are often the chief ingredient that brings out the beautiful exterior of your home, especially when coupled with rectangular windows.

Besides being an excellent piece of modern architecture, they’re also a great way of maximising the light as well as the surrounding views. You’re guaranteed to make your home one of a kind with the wide selection of sizes and angles.

It’s worth noting that these dual glazed windows are mostly made from uPVC and toughened glass, and are available in a wide range of colors. This feature enables you to customize your window and achieve the precise design that you had in mind.

• Available in a range of colors
• Maximizes the light and surrounding view
• Made of toughened, durable glass
• Gives your home a modern look

3.Double Glazed Flush Casement Windows

Pic from Pinterest

The double glazed flush casement window is an excellent option if you’re looking for a fixture that features traditional aesthetics and is also designed to create a breath-taking focal point in your home.

This flush-fitting window is often considered as the perfect alternative to original flush timber windows due to its authentic looks, and design made with modern window technology.

Due to the design being built with modern window technology, double glazed flush casements are easy to maintain and require little to no professional cleaning skill. While this window was inspired by the traditional design, they’re a common option in contemporary homes and businesses due to their sharp, clean lines.

Besides being available in a large variety of colors, this window option also possesses an excellent energy rating. In other words, the insulators within the window are perfect for trapping the heat in your home without letting it interact with the outside cold

Therefore, your home will stay warm and cozy during cold weathers, resulting in a decrease in your electric bill.

• Available in a variety of colors
• Possesses a traditional design built with modern technology
• Comes with a high energy efficiency
• Easy to maintain

4. Modern Double Glazed Sliding Windows

Pic from Pinterest

Unlike casement windows that open outward due to their traditional design, modern double glazed sliding windows are more contemporary since they slide on rails. Additionally, this option is built with modern technology and also possesses a visually pleasing design that will improve the overall beauty of your property.

Modern double glazed sliding windows also come with the best glazing option and frames – either timber or uPVC – which combine to create a fixture with a plethora of benefits.

Some of his benefits include an improved energy efficiency which means your home will stay warm during the winter or a cold day, thereby saving you money on your heating bills.

Another benefit is the improved security which is due to the increased strength that accompanies double glazed glass. These items can withstand heavy impact from bricks and other heavy objects several times without breaking.

In addition to the modern sliding feature, energy efficiency, and improved security, you won’t have to spend excessively to maintain this window as its structures are accessible and easy to clean with regular window-cleaning detergents.

• Improved security
• Modern design and features
• Efficient at conserving energy
• Easy to maintain
• Heavily durable

• Not compatible with traditional homes

5.Tinted Dual Glazed Windows

Tinted Dual Glazed Window is precisely what you need if you’re tired of people peeking into your home or business while you go about your day. Alternatively, if you merely need something to cover your windows and maintain your privacy, this window is also a good option.

Besides privacy, tinted dual glazed windows also provide a plethora of benefits. One of them includes energy conservation whereby it traps the heat within your property and prevents it from interacting with the outside cold. This perk keeps you warm during the winter and also reduces your electricity bills.

It’s also worth noting that a Tinted double glazed glass protects you from harmful UV rays which cause skin damage when exposed excessively. In other words, if you have a skin care routine or a condition that requires you to avoid excessive exposure to UV rays, this window is for you.

Tinting your windows also helps keep them in perfect shape as they are waterproof, resistant to scratches, and easy to clean. This feature means that you’re purchasing a heavily durable item which is a must-have if you’re on a budget and won’t replace the fixture anytime soon.

• Extremely durable
• Promotes privacy
• Easy to clean
• Energy efficient

6. Double Glazed Corner Windows

Pic from Pinterest

The primary factor that makes double glazed doors special is energy efficiency, which is a focus in countries with colder climates where heat retention improves comfort levels and heating costs. Fortunately, you can achieve this goal with double glazed corner windows without sacrificing style.

This style of double pane windows improves heat retention while offering your home or office a visually appealing atmosphere and an unobstructed view. What’s special about this option is that it requires no corner external cover at the joint, which results in an all-glass appearance that’s difficult to find in other double-glazed windows.

Double glazed corner windows are also an elegant solution for windows that meet at a corner. The hinged, frameless glass can be placed on a window frame or architrave with another one around the corner.

If you’re concerned that fitting this visually appealing option is impossible due to your home having tight corners, there’s no worry. The frameless glass is built with modern window technology that enables you to hinge it to itself, similar to a corner cupboard in a kitchen.

• Perfect for conserving energy
• Provides an unobstructed view of the outdoors
• It can hinge in itself
• No external cover

• Requires a massive budget to acquire

7. Victorian Style Dual Glazed Windows

Also known as the run-through sash horn, victorian style dual glazed windows tended to possess a ‘two over two panel’ grid design on the top and bottom panes. This style is very traditional and offers a delicate and aesthetically pleasing design.

The victorian style dual glazed window got its name from the location of origin – victorian England – which was often a symbol of status for the owners. But unlike the previous versions, modern ones are more durable and lavish thanks to advanced glass technology.

Victorian windows often possess a larger and heavier glass panes which helps to magnify the incoming light. They’re also manufactured with a unique uPVC run-through sash horn which provides you with a window that’s hysterically accurate but still functions according to modern standards.

While a lot of windows require you to choose between authenticity and performance, victorian style dual glazed window gives you both. This window appears indistinguishable from real timber and also does an excellent job of retaining heat with your home.

• Boosts your home’s overall beauty
• Possesses an archaic design
• Functions according to modern window standards
• Very durable

• Might not be suitable for modern homes

8. Single Pane Double Glazed Windows

Pic from Pinterest

Single pane glazed windows, as the name implies, are those which come with a single pane of glass in the frame. While this definition makes this window option seem mediocre, it possesses a few distinct advantages While there are a few distinct advantages which are slightly similar to double glazed ones.

One benefit is the ability to be installed in older window sills and frames due since they only come with a single glass Pane. Why this factor is beneficial is because you don’t need to replace the old window frames when installing a single glazed window, thereby saving you money.

Unlike double pane windows, single pane windows don’t retain your home’s heat during, which is a good option if you live in a tropical environment. Due to the absence of insulators, the window is in direct contact with the outside world, making the temperature within your home to be slightly on the same level with the one outside.

While this window option is budget-friendly and puts your home in mild equilibrium with its environment, it is not as sturdy as double pane windows. They are less thick and will shatter on impact, making them an unreliable option for security.