What to Consider When Double Glazing Your Windows

Double-glazed windows are an effective way of keeping your home comfortable all year round. They can help you lower your energy bills and ensure that your interior living space is as comfortable as it can be.

However, before you invest in double-glazed windows, it’s essential to take a moment to think about a few important aspects of insulated glass units (IGUs).

To help you get the best possible value for your money, we’re going to go over four things that you absolutely need to consider when getting double-glazed windows.

1. Finding a Reputable Company
   The first thing you should do is to find a company that you can trust. Working with a reputable company will give you assurance that you’re getting a good product and that you’re not being charged a fortune.

   To find a reliable company, start asking some of the people around you. Ask your friends, family or co-workers if they can refer you to a good window installation specialist. Anyone with first-hand experience can give you specific details about a company’s customer service as well as the quality and longevity of the end-product.

   Of course, you should also look at online testimonials. A well-respected company will usually have a lot of positive customer reviews. As a general rule, you want to work with a company with around a four-to-five-star rating. Any company with low (or no) reviews should be treated with caution.

2. Different Kinds of IGUs
   Once you’ve found a few companies that you’re willing to do business with, you should evaluate the different types of IGUs that they have available.

   Almost everyone has heard of Double-Glazed Windows. However, most people don’t know that there are also triple-glazed windows, double-glazed sliding glass doors, bi-fold doors, French doors and more. Depending on your budget, your property type and the local climate, some of these products may or may not be beneficial for you.

   For example, triple-glazed windows are much more energy efficient than their double-glazed counterparts. However, they are significantly more expensive. For those with a lower budget, the upfront cost of triple-glazed windows may be too steep to justify the long-term gains.

   Another thing to consider is safety. If you want added security, double-glazed sliding doors may be the IGU for you. Double and triple-glazed doors are significantly more difficult to break than single-paned units. This will protect your home from break-ins and from strong weather conditions.

3. Coatings
   
   When you get IGUs, you can choose to add certain coatings to enhance the performance of the unit. A popular form of coating is the low-emittance (low-e) gas coating. This is applied to the internal side of the glass pane and reflects radiant heat back into your home. This reduces heat loss and keeps your home warm. The down side is that low-e coatings tend reduce solar gain during the winter.

   Additionally, you can choose to tint your windows and doors for extra privacy. Most tints also reduce the amount of UV radiation that penetrates through the glass.

4. Get Several Different Quotes
   After you’ve done your research and have a general idea of what you want, it’s time to get quotes from the companies that you’ve vetted and researched. As a general rule, you should get at least three different quotes to get a good sense of what the market offers.

   Once you get the quotes, make sure to choose the deal with the best value for money. Keep in mind that this will not necessarily be the cheapest option. Because of this, you must always keep your budget in mind.

   Additionally, you should also take the time to understand the terms and conditions of the contract that you’re signing with the window installer. Make you have a solid understanding of the terms around the warranty, delivery and installation, workmanship guarantees and so on.Hopefully, this short guide will help you effectively navigate the market of double-glazed windows and IGUs in general. Whenever you’re making a significant purchase, it’s always good to stay vigilant and look for the best deal possible. This will ensure you get your money’s worth and get the most suitable product for your property.