What is Double Glazing?

Double glazing consists of two panes of glass set together with a spacer in between and sealed, trapping air inside. This air inside the unit greatly reduces the amount of hot or cold air that transfers from either side of the glass, thereby almost halving the amount of heat loss through the window. Argon gas can be introduced to give increased insulation.

Our double glazed units are constructed using the superior Super Spacer® Warm Edge Technology. As there is no metal content in our insulated glass units, there is a higher insulation performance achieved compared to units constructed with an aluminium spacer bar.

Our double glazing supplier is a member of The Insulating Glass Unit Manufacturers Association of NZ (IGUMA).

 

Warmer in winter

One of the reasons a lot of people choose to retrofit their home is for the thermal benefits. The layer between the two pieces of glass causes a barrier to keep the cold temperatures on the outside from affecting the climate on the inside.

The loss of heat through a double glazed unit can be over 50% less than a single glazed window.

There are superior glass options that can improve the thermal efficiencies (such as Low-E glass) and argon filled units, reducing the heat loss through your windows up to and greater than 70%.

 

 

Cooler in summer

In the same way that the insulating layer of double glazing helps keep the cold temperatures out, it reduces the impact of hot temperatures. Thus, the benefit for you is that your home will be noticeably cooler in summer.

The shift from single glazing to standard double glazing will reduce the solar heat gain through your windows by around 13%.

By using glass with improved thermal properties (such as Low-E glass) and tinting, the reduction in solar heat gain through your windows can be greater than 50%.

 

Condensation

Condensation forms when warm air is cooled. So in the case of windows, the moisture in the warmer air that is cooled condenses on the glass causing moisture and thus condensation.  

Where the window has only single glazing, the cool temperature on the outside transfers easily to the inside and condensation occurs rapidly.

With double glazing, there is improved thermal insulation between the outside and inside due the gap between the glass layer.  As a result, condensation is greatly reduced.

The benefit to you is a warmer, drier home.

 

Reduce uv

Ultraviolet or UV as we know it causes the fading of furniture, furnishings and carpets.

Double glazing provides the benefit of reducing the amount of UV light that can get inside. The optimum benefits occurring with laminated glass. It reduces the penetration of UV rays by 95%. Tinted glass also offers benefits in reducing the penetration of UV light.

 

Reduce noise

Laminated glass reduces noise significantly when included as part of a double glazed unit. This atwo pieces of glass bonded together.

The type of glass is not the only contributor to noise reduction.  By choosing double glazing with the Super Spacer you can gain further improvements because the closed-cell polymer foam in Super Spacer transmits very little sound compared to conventional metal spacers.  Also the depth of the unit i.e. the distance between the pieces of glass has an influence on the noise transmitted.

 

Security with double glazing

Double glazing is harder to break than single glass.  When broken, the shards normally stay in place.  The result is improved security.

This benefit can be further enhanced by using toughened glass in the double glazing units.

Enhances resale value

By retrofitting with double glazing it allows the house to be updated and give a more modern look.

Laminated glass offers greater protection for people and property by providing an effective barrier from attack. Although the glass will break if hit with a hammer, brick or similar object, the interlayer can resist penetration, ensuring any attempt to enter a premises will be slow and noisy. In addition the attacked glass will tend to remain in the opening, keeping wind and rain out of the building until it can be replaced at a convenient time. The type of laminated glass required will depend on the level of security sought.

 

 

It makes sense to maximise your insulation. Double glazing can have added insulating benefits when combined with Argon Gas and Low E glass

 

Low E Glass?

Low E, or Low Emissivity glass, reflects long wave radiation keeping the heat inside the home. It’s a process that occurs at the time of manufacture to give greater insulation performance.

 

Argon Gas

Argon gas is an inert gas. It is not harmful. The argon is sealed within the unit at the time of manufacture and this increases the insulated properties of the unit.

 Argon gas is denser than air and acts as a greater barrier to heat loss and heat absorption in the home, with a thermal performance increase of up to 15%.

Using a combination of Low E glass and Argon gas you will receive ultimate From metro

 

Safety & Protection

When subjected to human or other impact the bond between the glass and interlayer adheres any broken fragments, keeping the glass intact and resisting penetration.

This important breakage characteristic significantly reduces the likelihood of serious injury, qualifying laminated glass as a Grade A Safety Glass in accordance with NZS 4223: Part 3 and AS/NZ 2208 "Safety glazing materials in buildings".

In addition the glass is unlikely to fall out if used in sloped or overhead glazing applications, providing protection.

 

Toughened

Toughened glass is thermally toughened to make the glass safety glass. Toughened glass is also known as tempered glass. This is the glass that goes into a thousand pieces when it breaks.