Single Glazed VS Double Glazed: an important consideration given the high kWh costs

With the price of energy skyrocketing to unprecedented levels, it’s important to find as many ways to keep your energy bills as low as possible. The high kWh costs are encouraging homeowners to find more efficient approaches to energy consumption, from switching to LED lightbulbs to changing energy suppliers for better rates.

One area that’s worth looking into is whether or not single or double glazing is the best choice for your home in terms of energy usage. In this article, we’re going to look at the differences between single glazing vs double glazing as well as their benefits and drawbacks.

What are the benefits of single glazing?

Single glazing is any type of window that features a single pane of glass in the frame of the window. Single glazing is a cheaper option to double glazing, so if you’ve got a tight budget then choosing single glazing might be the best option for you. If you’re in a warmer climate, single glazing is also a good option to keep the property cool during the hottest times of the year.

What are the disadvantages of single glazing?

Due to the single pane of glass used in single glazing, heat is quickly lost through the panes. This leaves homes colder, which results in excessive energy consumption and rising energy costs (learn more about high kWh costs here). It’s also not very good at keeping outside noises out as it’s thinner compared to alternative types of glazing. Finally, single glazing doesn’t provide much in the way of security as its single pane of glass is easy to break, allowing intruders to enter the property with relative ease.

What are the benefits of double glazing?

Double glazing is a type of window that incorporates two separate panes of glass in the frame, creating a vacuum consisting of inert gas to provide extra insulation. The design of this type of window focuses on improving heat retention and insulation for a property, which results in substantial savings on energy costs. Depending on the type of property, switching to double glazing could save you up to £155 per year on energy bills. You can learn more here.

Double glazing is also an excellent sound dampener, blocking outside noise from entering the property. Opting for this type of window also helps protect the home from break-ins. Double glazing consists of two panes of glass, making it more difficult for intruders to penetrate. This type of window even helps lower condensation levels in the property, as the insulative layer of gas stops condensation from building up on window panes.

What are the disadvantages of double-glazing?

Due to the superior design of double-glazed windows, it costs more money to install and fit into properties. Another disadvantage of this type of window is that repairs are more complicated and expensive, so it’s not ideal if you’re working on a tight budget. With that said, the benefits associated with double glazing usually outweigh the disadvantages.