What is Double Glazing?

Double glazing is a popular home improvement option that provides several benefits throughout the year, particularly in the very cold and hot months. Double Glazing is where two panes of glass are separated by a layer of air and are used in a home's windows & doors. This effectively provides another layer of insulation for your home decreasing heat lost through a traditional single-pane window. Consumer NZ Double Glazing. This will also help to maintain a cooler home in the summer by reducing the transfer of heat from the outside to the inside.

Some other benefits are:

• Noise Reduction: Double glazing can help reduce outdoor noise, providing a quieter and more peaceful indoor environment.
• Improved Energy Efficiency: It will help to maintain a more stable indoor temperature, reducing the need for air conditioning and potentially lowering energy bills.
• UV Protection: Double glazing can also provide protection against harmful UV rays from the sun.
• Reduced Condensation: Double glazing helps to reduce condensation on your windows by maintaining a consistent indoor temperature, preventing the buildup of moisture that can lead to mould and mildew issues.
• Installing double glazing can enhance the value of your home as energy-efficient features like double glazing is seen as a valuable asset, which can make a property more attractive on the real estate market.

In the past, windows were fitted with a single pane of glass, which proved to be a particularly efficient heat conductor. Ongoing research has shown that adding a second pane of glass, with a sealed pocket of air or specialised gas in the middle, dramatically reduces the loss of heat through windows. 

The requirement for Double Glazed windows in new homes did not become compulsory until 2007, so there are still many NZ homes with inefficient single-pane windows. There are a couple of options for double-glazing existing windows-

Retrofit Double Glazing 

This is where an Insulating Glass Unit (IGU) is integrated into the current aluminium joinery. Most fixed windows will require some of the frames to be replaced, whereas opening windows will need a new frame.

Secondary Glazing

This is where an existing window has a second pane of glass, or an acrylic sheet, attached on the inside. The gap between the inner and outer pane provides a thermal barrier to help prevent heat loss. 

For help and advice, please contact your local HomePlus store at 0800 466 375, or visit the Retrofit Double Glazing or Secondary Glazing pages for more information.