You’ll live with your windows for a long time, so it’s important to take the time to understand what you are buying. The wrong choice could affect how you enjoy your home and adversely affect its value.
Choosing the right double-glazed windows for your home is more than an upgrade; it’s about creating a comfortable, efficient, and secure living space.
With their dual layers of glass and insulating air gap, double-glazed windows have become a go-to for homeowners looking to make a smart investment in their property. While the benefits are clear, navigating the sea of options can seem daunting, from reducing energy bills to minimising outside noise.
Wide Range of Choice
There’s a huge range of window options. This guide is here to simplify the process, offering straightforward advice on selecting double-glazed windows that match your home’s aesthetic, meet your functional needs, and fit within your budget.
Whether you’re renovating, building from scratch, or just eager to improve your home’s thermal performance, understanding the essentials will help you make a choice that you’ll be happy with for years to come. Let’s explore how to identify the perfect double glazed windows for your home, ensuring a blend of style, performance, and value.
Choosing a Double Glazed Windows Company
Choosing your supplier is one of the hardest parts of the task. You’ll be faced with an array of designs and styles. On the surface, windows look the same no matter who you buy them from, and the disparity in prices will further confuse you.
Your local builder might seem cheap because they don’t have overheads. They also don’t have the resources for customer support or guarantees. The nationals quote eye-watering prices but then offer 50% off and more if you sign there and then.
In the middle, most reputable local companies offer a balance of personal service, an unbiased range of products, and fair pricing. We’re proud to claim that we are one of the best in that respect and have served the local area for thirty years.
With years of experience and a commitment to excellence, Styleglaze doesn’t just sell windows; we offer a comprehensive solution to enhance your home’s efficiency, security, and aesthetic appeal. Opting for Styleglaze means choosing peace of mind, knowing that your home improvement project is in expert hands.
You’ll also receive a fair and transparent quote with no tricks or inflated prices to allow for false discounts.
Understanding Double Glazed Windows
Double glazed windows consist of a sealed unit made with two panes of glass with a space between them, filled with an insulating gas, which significantly improves heat loss. This design minimises heat transfer, keeping your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Besides energy efficiency, they offer superior noise reduction and enhanced security compared to single-pane windows.
Double-glazed windows are the minimum standard for homes nowadays. Building regulations have applied to double glazing since 2002. As long as you choose a supplier that is fully accredited by a governing body like Fensa or Certass, you are safe in the knowledge that they will provide the approved standard or above, and you’ll receive a certificate to confirm that when the windows are installed.
Why Upgrade to Double Glazed Windows?
The advantages of upgrading are multifaceted. Double glazed windows can lead to substantial savings on energy bills due to their excellent insulation properties. New windows also improve the overall comfort of your home, reduce outside noise, and increase security. Aesthetically, they can dramatically update the look of your home, adding value and appeal.
All our windows exceed the standards set by government regulations.
Alternatives to Changing Your Windows
Secondary glazing presents an alternative for those seeking improved insulation and noise reduction without replacing their existing windows. This method involves adding an additional pane of glass on the inside of your current windows, creating a layer of insulation similar to double glazing.
Secondary glazing is particularly appealing when changing the external windows isn’t feasible, such as in listed buildings or properties in conservation areas.
While secondary glazing doesn’t offer all the benefits of a complete double glazed unit—such as the superior seal against the elements—it can significantly improve thermal performance and reduce external noise. It’s a cost-effective, less intrusive solution for enhancing the comfort and energy efficiency of your home, making it an option worth considering for homeowners looking to upgrade their windows with minimal disruption.
Double-Glazed Window Frames
When selecting double glazed windows, the choice of frame material is as crucial as the glazing itself. Each material offers unique benefits, from aesthetic appeal to energy efficiency and durability.
Whether you prefer the natural warmth of timber, the low maintenance of uPVC, or the sleek modernity of aluminium, your decision will significantly impact the overall performance and look of your windows.
Understanding the distinct advantages of each can help you make an informed choice that is in keeping with your home’s style and personal preferences.
Timber Windows and Doors
Timber double glazing combines the timeless beauty of wood with modern insulation technology. This option is ideal for those looking to add a classic or rustic touch to their home while benefiting from improved thermal efficiency.
Timber frames are known for their excellent natural insulation properties, contributing to a warmer, more energy-efficient home. Properly maintained timber frames can last for decades, making them a sustainable choice for environmentally conscious homeowners.
If you live in a listed building, timber windows replicating the original style may be your only option.
uPVC Windows and Doors
uPVC double glazing is renowned for its durability, low maintenance, and cost-effectiveness. Available in various finishes, including ones that mimic the look of natural wood, uPVC frames offer the flexibility to match your home’s design without the need for regular painting or treatment. These frames are also excellent at providing thermal insulation and noise reduction, enhancing the comfort of your living space. Furthermore, uPVC is resistant to rot, corrosion, and UV radiation, ensuring your windows remain in top condition for years to come.
Aluminium Windows and Doors
Aluminium double glazing stands out for its strength, slim profile, and modern appearance. Due to its structural integrity, this material allows for larger windows and doors, maximising natural light and views. Aluminium frames are virtually maintenance-free, resistant to weathering, and available in various colours through powder coating. Despite its metal nature, advancements in thermal break technology have significantly improved aluminium’s insulation capabilities, making it a competitive option for energy-efficient glazing.
Double Glazed Window Styles
Choosing the right replacement windows is just as important as selecting the material and type of glazing. The style influences not only the aesthetic appeal of your home but also functionality, ventilation, and ease of maintenance.
From traditional designs that add character and charm to modern styles that offer simplicity and efficiency, there’s a window style to suit every preference and architectural design.
Whether you opt for the classic elegance of casement windows, the historic allure of sash windows, the practicality of tilt-and-turn windows, or the sleek, contemporary look of flush casement windows, each style offers unique advantages for your home.
Casement Windows
Casement Windows are one of the most popular choices, known for their versatility and timeless appeal. They are hinged at the side and open outward, providing excellent ventilation and natural light. Casement windows offer a wide view of the outdoors and can be designed to fit nearly any architectural style, from traditional to contemporary. Their simple design makes them easy to operate and clean, making them a practical choice for many homeowners.
Sash Windows
Sash Windows carry a historical charm, ideal for period properties or those wishing to add a traditional touch to their home. These windows consist of one or more movable panels, or “sashes,” that slide vertically or horizontally to open. This classic design not only enhances the aesthetic value of your home but also offers controlled ventilation and is now available with modern double glazing technology for improved energy efficiency.
Tilt and Turn Windows
Tilt-and-turn windows offer a modern, functional approach, allowing for versatile opening. They can open inwards from the top for secure ventilation or swing in like a door for easy cleaning and maximum airflow. This dual functionality makes tilt-and-turn windows a popular choice in contemporary homes, providing both safety and convenience, especially in high-rise buildings or where access to the exterior for cleaning is limited.
Flush Casement Windows
Flush Casement Windows are characterised by their flush fitting within the frame. The clean, streamlined appearance complements modern and traditional architecture. The simple style mirrors the simplicity of traditional wooden windows but with the benefits of the latest technology.
Making Your Double Glazed Windows Stand Out
Personalising your double glazing is a fantastic way to add character and style to your home, ensuring your new installations perfectly complement your property’s aesthetic and your personal taste.
Beyond the choice of frame material and window style, various customisation options can help you achieve the desired look and functionality. Handles come in various designs and finishes, from sleek chrome to traditional brass, allowing you to match or contrast with your home’s interior.
Decorative Choices
Decorative glazing options, including stained glass, can add colour and artistry to your windows, serving as a focal point or enhancing privacy.
For those looking to replicate or preserve historical charm, period styling options like decorative Georgian bars, astragal bars, and leaded glass patterns offer a way to maintain traditional appeal with the benefits of double glazed units.
These customisations enhance the visual appeal of your windows and allow you to infuse your home with personal touches and unique details, making your space truly yours.
Colour Options
Our customers mostly choose white windows. Grey is the next most popular choice for newer homes, especially for aluminium windows, and Chartwell Green for traditional homes. Depending on which range you choose, you will be spoilt for choice. If the standard range of colours doesn’t meet your needs, you can choose any RAL colour.
How Much Do Double Glazed Windows Cost?
Double glazing costs vary widely and are influenced by many factors, such as the choice of frame material, window style, size, and additional custom features like decorative glazing or specialised glass. The cheapest window is a fixed window.
One of the unconsidered factors for price is how many windows can open. Be careful that your quote doesn’t look cheap because there are not enough opening windows. Also, be sure to check the number of opening windows on the quote is the same as on the order. This is a common trick played by unscrupulous companies.
The complexity of the installation process and your property’s specific requirements can also significantly affect the overall expense. Premium materials and bespoke designs generally command a higher price, reflecting the quality and customisation involved.
The energy efficiency rating and the longevity of the materials chosen can play a crucial role in determining cost, with higher-rated, more durable materials often being more of an investment upfront. Ultimately, the cost reflects the window’s performance, aesthetic appeal, and the long-term value it adds to your home, making it essential to consider both initial outlay and potential savings on heating bills when evaluating options.
