Windows are the eyes to a house's soul – if your windows are big and beautiful so too is your home, but they can also include a range of challenges as well. With sub par windows, you can look forward to a drafty home with high heating bills. Similarly, there are also moisture issues – for example, if you don't seal the space between your double panes securely enough, you will get a build up of condensation. Having lived in old houses and having helped choose the windows for new houses, I'm familiar with a range of challenges associated with windows. If you want tips and ideas, you've come to the right spot. Please, explore and enjoy.
When you are ready for new window installation in your home, you have a huge variety of windows to choose from. One type of window that is becoming more and more popular for home use are insulated glass windows, often times called insulated glass units. Insulated glass units differ a bit from standard windows, and have many added benefits.
What are Insulated Glass Windows?
Insulated glass windows are windows that are composed of two or more panes of glass. Space is left between the two panes of glass and then the window is sealed hermetically two or three times, ensuring a tight, leak-free seal, leaving space between the glass. The space between the window creates natural insulation. Insulated glass windows sometimes have a laminated layer in between the panes of glass, adding even more insulation to the window.
What are Insulated Glass Windows Composed Of?
There are many different parts that go into creating an insulated glass window to ensure that it insulates properly and stays effective for years. First, there are the panes of glass which have been separately glazed and sealed. The glass sits in a frame typically composed of reinforced aluminum.
The space between the two or three panes of glass doesn't just sit empty. Within the frame lies what is a called a desiccant. Desiccants are substances that will absorb moisture that might happen to find it's way into the space between the windows. The desiccant typically lines the bottom and sides of the frame and can be either silica or zeolites. These substances naturally absorb moisture, sucking it from the space in the window.
Occupying the space between the glass is not only a desiccant, but the space can be filled with argon, krypton or zeolites. These gasses are referred to as thermal performance gasses. These gasses have an advantage over plain old oxygen, as their chemical composition makes them natural insulators.
Insulated glass windows, as well as having each individual pane sealed, are also sealed two times once the panes, desiccant and thermal performance gas are inserted.
What are the Benefits of This Type of Window?
Insulated glass windows have benefits that extend beyond the benefits that standard glass windows offer your home. The most obvious benefit of insulated glass windows is the insulating properties that they provide. These windows reduce loss of cold and warm air as well as prevent the entrance of outside air.
Insulated glass windows are also specially created to prevent moisture from building up. In typical windows that are not insulated, moisture can not only mess with the insulating properties of a window, but can degrade the frame, sealant and glass. Moisture can degrade your windows much faster than they would typically degrade.
Insulated glass windows are typically composed of types of glass that filter more UV rays from the sun than standard windows. This means that your carpet, drapes, tables and other furniture won't degrade due to UV exposure as quickly.
Insulated glass windows are also much thicker than standard windows. This means that not only do they break less easily than standard windows, but they are able to filter out much more noise from outside your home.
Share14 March 2018
