There is a lot of debate in and around the industry and potential customers about which is better triple glazing or double glazing.
With the extra cost layout for the triple do you get a far better product than the highest rated double glazing?
There are few things to take in to contention as with triple glazing.
There are more materials obviously and more labour to manufacture.
There is also the extra time needed to trouble shoot during installation as there is extra weight. Extra weight is coming from the extra pane of glass and hot seal around the edges. Its not a considerable amount of extra weight but enough to slow down installation to the point where extra counter weight installation techniques need to be used and extra care taken to ensure perfect function of the window product.
Double glazing on the other hand even at its maximum rating of an A doesn't slow down installation and only needs slight tweeks to allow for weight on the openers and nothing really changes in cost except the small percentage to upgrade from a C rated unit to an A.
The efficiency difference is where the triple comes into its own. Not only has it got the extra pane to combat noise pollution and retain heat but can carry off a higher rating and U value than the highest double glazed unit.
A triple glazed unit can be coming in at around 0.8 whereas a double can be coming in at around 1.8 to 1.6
To put that into perspective a brick wall is approximately 0.3 which is as low as you are going get if that was as an insulated cavity wall.
So the extra cost of triple glazing isn't just a case of well there's an extra piece of glass so it should be a third extra on the units.
The best advice is if you can afford it you should go for the highest efficiency glazing that you can. As with many technologies they gather momentum quickly and you can get left behind. But at the same time if you purchase the A rated double glazing then you will be getting value for money with great benefits in comparison to a timber window or basic 15 year to 20 yera old none rated glazing.
WINDOWS | DOORS | CONSERVATORIES | FASCIAS & GUTTERS | ROCKDOORS
Southport Doors & Double Glazing
unit 1/ 82a High Park Business Centre,
High Park Road
PR9 7QL
Email us at info@southportdoors.com
call 01704 553 994
Call or text us on 0787 601 6821
Many previously installed double glazed windows from 10 to 20 odd years ago will inevitably end up having failed or misted units. There are various reasons for this failure and the first can simply be down to the construction of the double glazed units.
Fabrication
If the quality of the DGU's( double glazed units) is poor to start off with then the life of them will not be very long. Many companies expect this to happen and only give 2 to 5 years on the glazed product , but give a full 10 years on the PVC frame.
The DGU's are designed to sit within the PVC frame held in by a PVC glazing bead and sit on top of glass packers therefore allowing any water that manages to get in behind the gaskets to easily drain away around and below the DGU emptying through purposely drilled drainage holes directly beneath .
The water then works its way through the lower chamber and on to the either the PVC cill which the window sits on, or through the front of the lower part of the PVC window which is face drained.
If there is any blockage of either of these drainage holes it will cause a back up and the frame will begin to fill up.
It is not unusual to have a trace of water inside the PVC frame at the bottom as it designed to be self draining.Any water being held will mean a blockage somewhere.
The installation cause
Many older DGU's may have been sat directly in the window frame without any sort of glass packer beneath. This can be the cause of many failed units as 1) they are sat in there own water and 2) the hot melt that units are sealed with when heated in the sun can stick to the inside lower of the PVC frame and 3) if they are not sat on glazing packers correctly they can slip in the warmer months.
Glass Packers
The Glass packers should be suitable ones which are sat square on the lower part of the frame and be the correct width of the overall thickness of the DGU so neither of the 2 panes of glass can slip at any point when heated up on a sunny day.
Packers should be square and touching both the inner and outer panes. The packer should be seen to reach the very outer of the glass edge and inner glass edge to give peace of mind it doesn't slip even when glazing with the beads are knocked in.
Many failed units are down to this installation overlook and even though it doesn't seem as if one of the panes has slipped, it only takes a pin hole and a drop of moisture to condense a whole double glazed unit. and ruin the look and effect of a PVC window or door.
The right way
Be sure to use a company that gives 10 years on the Double glazed units as well as the PVC windows and doors.
Make sure the glass units are sat correctly on the correct width glazing packers.
Make sure the drainage holes are all clear for water to run through.
Interesting links:
New Rockdoors | PVC windows | ultimate conservatories | high security door products
More advice and posts on :
What is PVC ? and what does it stand for ?
combating condensation
Tips on how to re seal your own windows and get a professional guide
The professional view on how to sell your house and what areas to address
What benefits are there with PVC windows
Are the locks secure in your doors? check this post to see what we mean
With the Double glazing on offer these days you are buying much more than just windows as it is a lifestyle that you are investing in.
Never before have the windows and doors available been so contributing to the quality of life within the home, especially as the weather continually gets worse every year.
The warm, secure quiet atmospheres in the home gives peace of mind that the family is benefiting from the modern age of glazing and advanced insulating techniques.
Not only insulating and retaining heat but also starting to deal with the effects of condensation and moisture control.
Most people would relate lifestyle purchases to high quality branded vehicles or far flung trips, but the truth is that the difference the best double glazing can offer makes sure that the lifestyle within the home gives a peaceful respite from the day to grind of chasing the better lifestyle breadwinners require.
All the children in the household have safe, secure, dry and quiet environments to carry out any homework and studies efficiently with no undesirable weather or condensation effects.
With the intention of eventually introducing triple glazing and a whole new process of making the home eve more efficiently insulated the lifestyle will only get better for any proud home owner.
With an average of 2 weeks off at Christmas most people will start to get itchy feet around the home by the start of week 2.
Pondering around the home will be an eye opener as to what most full time employed people miss concerning home improvements and double glazing issues.
Simple things around the home start to stand out more than ever as time is usually short during normal work time and any time off is used as wisely as possible with relaxing or entertaining the kids.
Just hanging the window lights up around the inside reveals of the windows can be an eye opener as to how bad the condensation problem is and what damage its is doing to the wallpaper and the plaster work underneath.
It is also a chance to be around the house during the day in the coldest part of the year relaxing and realising how much energy is needed to be generated just to keep a room at comfortable temperature.
Then the realisation that the bill for this is higher than ever and is on the constant increase. Promises of heating bills increasing next year by at least 5 % is already on the cards.
There is also the chance to realise that all the energy that is being generated could very easily be contained in each room simply by installing the newer A rated PVC windows and doors.
Not only will the aesthetics improve the appearance of the home but also give the new year 2013 an energy efficient start.
Lowering your carbon footprint, being greener and being energy efficient has been long associated with flower power green peace obsessive recycling tree huggers.
But slowly society is starting to realise that this saves lots of money and enables the family to live a better lifestyle and allows them to benefit more from life in general through less money being outlaid.
New effective double glazing Incorporated with other insulating techniques such as cavity wall insulation and loft insulation will give a much better home environment for the family to live in.
More interesting links:
Composite doors | PVC Windows Advice | Double Glazing General | Glazing Questions
For more advice read the archived blogs.
Timber windows are the most natural warming effect that every home would benefit from, apart from the fact that they are not any where near as energy efficient and need constant attention, repair and maintenance.
If the wooden windows are not kept properly with the correct treatments the weather will get in and start to manifest itself slowly at first then gradually enough to become uncontrollable from an nonprofessionals capabilities.
Time consuming painting labour year in year out and mind numbing treatments are something that need to be gotten rid of especially for the middle aged and older home owner who isn't getting any younger.
The prospect of climbing up ladders and perching in uncomfortable situations to weather seal timber frames is a daunting one, and its a good job there is an alternative.
PVC windows and doors offer all the benefits that anyone would need compared to timber.
Energy efficient
Almost maintenance free as they will need hinges etc spray oiling every 6 months
No need for painting and treating
No need for filling and sanding
Double glazed compared to many timber frames although some are double glazed but are no where near as efficient as PVC
Easily wiped clean with a damp cloth on the internal side.
Highly insulated frames as well as the double glazed unit
Lower your carbon footprint
Fully recyclable at the end of their life
Much more secure with composite integrated locking mechanisms and shoot bolts.
Handle locks on all functioning sashes
PVC will not warp or deteriorate in the wind, heat or extreme weather.
Available in all kinds of finishes to closely imitate timber windows and range in colours such as the reds, greys, blues, rosewoods, and oak as well as black and greens.
Stylish bevelled and scotia frame finishes with internal beds to match.
Night vents for bedroom venting in the summer months
A rated glazing available to combat condensation
A rated glazing to lower bills
A rated glazing to keep the rooms cool in the summer months as well as keeping heat in , in the winter months.
Guarantees that cover the windows for 10 years- so no worries about performance or
functionality.
Added option of easy clean/ fire escape hinges for multi purpose sashes.
20 real reasons not dig out the paint brushes and start the dreaded climbing up ladders to treat timber windows and doors.
Company information
More technical information on varying types of doors, windows and conservatories can be found here as we have been collecting knowledge and giving the professional finish for 23 years. Contact us or browse our website @ Southport Doors & Double Glazing
Interesting links:
New Rockdoors | PVC windows | ultimate conservatories | high security door products
More advice and posts on :
What is PVC ? and what does it stand for ?
combating condensation
Tips on how to re seal your own windows and get a professional guide
The professional view on how to sell your house and what areas to address
What benefits are there with PVC windows
Are the locks secure in your doors? check this post to see what we mean
From an installers point of view there are problems that have been around which seems forever concerning glass packers and costly failed double glazed units. Not only in money but in unnecessary measuring and fitting time.
There are a few systems which have attempted to address the problem, but the fact is that a 28mm double glazed unit will need a glass packer that accommodates a 28mm DGU with a 2mm overhang and the allowance for the compression of the gasket once the internal glazing bead is clipped in.
Most systems allow for the width of the unit and don't take the compression or overhang in to consideration. Therefore on installing the glazed unit all of the glass may not necessarily be sitting on the packers all the way along.
Usually due to either fitters not checking or bothering or that the disruption of banging on the window to clip the bead will disturbed the packers.
It may even be that all the glass wasn't sitting right in the first place due to toe and healing or a slightly misshaped DGU.
With really hot sun on the glass during summer months sometimes also in sunny winter days the glass with will heat up and over a course of time if not sat correctly will eventually begin to slip and the compound holding the 2 panes to the joining space bar will reveal a small hole.
This only needs to be a fraction of movement and reveal a pin hole, and as the window systems are designed to allow water in and drain themselves through their chambers so there will always be a certain amount of water inside the window at any time. This water condensates inside the chambers on heating up and makes its way into the Double glazed unit.
Only a very small amount of water need get into the are between the 2 panes to create a full pane condensation effect. Seems like a simple flaw to fix in the first place rather than argue about guarantee times on the glazed units or fork out for a replacement and send installer to go round - measure up first - then go back and install.
Company information
More technical information on varying types of doors, windows and conservatories can be found here as we have been collecting knowledge and giving the professional finish for 23 years. Contact us or browse our website @ Southport Doors & Double Glazing
Interesting links:
New Rockdoors | PVC windows | ultimate conservatories | high security door products
More advice and posts on :
What is PVC ? and what does it stand for ?
combating condensation
Tips on how to re seal your own windows and get a professional guide
The professional view on how to sell your house and what areas to address
What benefits are there with PVC windows
Are the locks secure in your doors? check this post to see what we mean
