Compared to single pane windows, double pane windows insulate your home far better. This results in reduced airflow an energy usage. Therefore, if you're after energy efficiency, which most people are, double pane windows are the way to go.
Double pane vinyl or wood-framed windows are said to reduce energy usage by as much as 24% in cold climates during the winter and up to 18% in warm climates in the summer when compared to single pane windows.
Cons. Poor energy-efficiency: This window is a poor insulator and often gets cold in the winter and hot in the summer. This has a direct effect on your energy bill. Poor noise reduction: With only one sheet of glass, you're not going to block out those loud neighbors or other unwanted sounds.
Unless you have a specific reason to keep your single-pane windows (for example, they have historic value), replacing single-pane windows is a good way to make your home more energy-efficient. When you replace your single-pane windows, you will almost certainly replace them with dual- or triple-pane windows.
According to homeadvisor.com, double-pane windows can reduce energy usage by up to 24 percent in the winter months and up to 18 percent during the summer. It's important to keep in mind that to see energy-saving results, you must replace all old and failing windows in your home; not just one.
Energy Star-certified replacement windows are the most energy efficient windows available. Each Energy Star certified window is nearly twice as energy efficient as an average replacement window.
Many window design professionals agree that new, quality windows should last between 15 and 20 years before you start to think about replacing them. Most companies producing vinyl windows often provide a 20-25 year warranty, which is essentially a lifetime warranty – the expected lifetime of the product.
Absolutely. You can make a single pane more energy efficient by first inspecting the window to identify any potential cracks, air leaks, or loose joints around the perimeter of the window frame. These areas are the biggest causes of energy loss, particularly in the winter months.
Buying the least expensive window or door for your home is never the best thing to do. They are usually cheap for a reason. In my opinion, it is well worth the extra cost to receive the increased value you receive for an energy efficient PVC or aluminum/clad window unit versus a vinyl replacement window.
As we begin our descent into the colder seasons, you may start to notice the effects of winter on your home. This will particularly be the case if you have single glazing. Single glazed windows are highly conductive – they easily let in unwanted cold air in winter and overbearing heat in summer.
It is possible to convert single-pane windows to double-glazing. Retrofit double-glazing, usually made out of PVC or acrylic laminate, is applied to your existing single-pane windows to effectively turn them into double-glazed windows. Another method is through an acrylic insert held into place by magnets.
Single Glazed windows are draughty, noisy and generally represent a security risk. Lack of insulation is the major disadvantage of single glazing – it's ability to retain heat inside a room is pretty much non-existent.
Single-pane windows have the least amount of materials to slow sound waves, so they allow the most noise into your home. Dual-pane windows, also called double-pane windows, help to reduce some noise. Triple-pane glass is the best option for reducing the most noise.
In a double-glazed window, the deformation of the pane struck by the ball causes higher pressure in the air between the two panes. This high pressure opposes the deformation, making it harder to break the window.
Double-pane windows provide your home with superior insulation by keeping cold out in the winter and heat out in the summer. One important factor to be aware of is that if the seals on your double-pane windows are broken, then so are the insulating properties of that window.
Lower your thermostat to 66°-68° F. Be sure your clothes dryer is vented properly to the outside. Seal up any cracks around windows. Replace older single pane windows with double or triple pane vinyl ones (avoid metal window frames since they conduct cold), or add storm windows to the outside of your house.
Vinyl Windows
Yes, replacing worn out windows with vinyl ones does boost a home's value, as long as the window installation is done the right way. When they sell, homeowners can recover as much as 71 percent of the upfront remodeling cost of new windows.
Over the long term, the performance and financial benefits of double glazing will cover the cost involved to install them. Modern families will most likely find double glazing more appealing. In addition, research has revealed that double glazing can increase your property value by 10%.
As part of this certification process, products must be tested in a laboratory recognized by EPA to perform residential windows, doors, and skylight testing. A list of EPA-recognized laboratories and Certification Bodies can be found at www.energystar.gov/testingandverification.
In the North-Central Zone, the U-factor requirement is 0.30 or less and the SHGC must be 0.40 or less. The South-Central Zone allows U-factors of 0.30 or below and SHGC ratings of 0.25 or below. Windows qualified in the Southern Zone can have U-factors of 0.40 or less, but the SHGC must be 0.25 or below.
Vinyl windows aren't as durable as wood windows, but they can last over 20 years. A quality vinyl window will also save you money on energy bills because the insulation in the frame of the window itself is energy efficient. Additionally, vinyl windows require no maintenance because they never need painting or scraping.