With winter closing in fast, heating is on homeowners’ minds. Over the past 12 months, the cost of power has risen between 1% to 2%, depending on location in the country and the source of the power. An additional problem for many is that their power bills rise because they heat the outside of their home as well as the inside.
One way to prevent loss of heat is to install double glazed windows. Keeping costs down at the same time, more homeowners are looking to uPVC double glazed windows.
uPVC is a hard form of plastic that is used in window frames and pipes due to its strength. It’s durable and works well for windows especially because it naturally insulates against external sound and works well for heat retention too.
Here are some of the benefits of using uPVC double glazed windows.
Little Maintenance Required
Unlike with some other types of materials, uPVC requires minimal time to maintain. Simply cleaning around the edge and over the surfaces to remove any debris or build up from particles flying through the air is sufficient to keep it in good condition.
It doesn’t suffer from damage caused by bad weather and isn’t susceptible to rot like with old timber frames either.
Less Expensive Option
Unlike when using timber or aluminium framing, uPVC is less expensive for window framing. While prices vary based on what features are required depending on the type of windows selected, good quality uPVC works out cheaper per equivalent sized windows.
Check pricing from the Home Design Group here: (https://thehomedesigngroup.co.uk/double-glazing-upvc-windows-belfast/).
Reversibility
Some uPVC windows can be designed to open in either direction to provide air flow as needed. The better ones have espangolette locking mechanisms built-in. When using reinforced steel within the window frame, it provides enough rigidity and enhanced security features while offering flexible opening and closing options. Internal beading prevents window panes from being removed external to the property for added protection.
Thermal Management
Metallic frames tend to transfer heat, which causes warmth to be lost. This is not great for cold winters or chilly days when paying good money to heat the home. Given that uPVC is not conductive, when the material is used for framing windows, it doesn’t transfer warmth outside the home through the frame itself. Using both double glazing and uPVC provides an excellent barrier to prevent heat loss, which ultimately reduces the utility bill every quarter.
Salt Resistance for Coastal Homes
For anyone who lives near the coastline where their home suffers from the salty air composition, using uPVC for windows works better because it has built-in resistance to erosion due to salt. It doesn’t make sense for coastal homeowners to use either wood or metal for this reason.
Sound Insulation
The sound insulation with uPVC reduces noise by up to 70 percent. The combination of uPVC frames and double-glazed windows creates an excellent sound barrier to keep noisy traffic, and other outside noises, out.
Recycling Friendly
Due to it being a form of plastic, the material is perfectly recyclable. At the end of its useful life – 10+ years – the frames can be removed and recycled. In fact, uPVC is recyclable 5-10 times if necessary, and can still be reused again.
For modern windows, uPVC is an adaptable material that is well suited. Whether for a curved frame, square or rectangular, the material can be crafted to provide excellent protection compared to metal or wood, which have more negatives.
Double glazing has many benefits, in both winter and summer, improving comfort and reducing overall costs for homeowners. The breakeven point depends on the cost of power in the state. For example, in Virginia and North Carolina, power costs around 11.5 cents per KWH. In California, Massachusetts and New York it is between 18 to 19 cents per KWH.
