Are Double Glazed Windows Right for your Home?

Guest Blog #191, Entry #675, September 25, 2011

If you own your own home, then you’ve probably invested a lot of time and effort into decorating and renovating it since you moved in. One thing that often gets overlooked during home renovation, especially in big cities, is windows. Nottingham isn’t exactly a windswept, chilly area – not compared to rural parts of Scotland, at least, but just because you live in a big city, it doesn’t mean that you should forget about the more “energy efficient” home improvements. In any part of the world, double glazing is essential.

Double glazing is worthwhile for almost any home, with the only real exception being period homes that have retained many original features. If your home has unusual windows, with the original panes intact, then you may devalue your home by ripping those windows out. In those cases, getting secondary panes installed inside the original window is a better idea than getting double glazed panels put in.

Decide if double glazed windows are right for your home

Image courtesy of Luxury Home Design Interior

For any other homeowner, however, investing in double glazing makes sense. Even if you haven’t noticed any issues with drafts or with heating your home, you will most likely find that you will save some money on your heating bill by getting double glazing installed. If your heating runs on a thermostat right now, then the savings will happen automatically!

Energy efficiency isn’t the only benefit of double glazing. Double glazed windows are much harder to break than single panes of glass. This is useful for several reasons. Firstly, it means you’re less likely to suffer accidental breakages – something that everyone who lives in a school area comes to dread – and secondly, it means that you’ll save money on insurance. Double glazing isn’t a guaranteed way to prevent theft, but it does act as a deterrent against casual thieves, and everything that you can do to reduce a thief’s interest in your property is a good thing.

Double glazing can help with energy savings

Image courtesy ofBlinds Shutters

Another nice property of double glazing is that it cuts out noise. If you live near a bar, club, main road, or school, you’ve probably had moments where you wished that you could shut out the noise of the bustle going on outside. The right combination of insulation and double glazing can almost totally eliminate all that annoying background noise.

Getting double glazing fitted is expensive, but it’s an expense that will pay for itself through savings on heating, air conditioning, and insurance in the long run. If you are selling your house in the near future, you may find that it’s a waste of time getting double glazing fitted, but if you plan to stay in the same house for five years or more, it’s definitely worth the expense.

Double glazed windows can be expensive but will pay off in time

Image courtesy ofInterior Arcade

Many homeowners, even those on decent incomes, can get financial assistance to get double glazed windows. Nottingham city council is just one of many councils that is currently promoting energy efficient living. As part of their initiative they are encouraging home owners to look into energy efficient appliances, double glazing, and insulation. Even if you don’t qualify for financial aid, they may be able to help you find a reputable and affordable company to do the fitting for you.

This article was written by Amy Fowler on behalf of Stormclad home improvements. Amy has recently moved home and is currently installing double glazing.

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