While single, double and triple-glazing may sound straightforward choices, which offers the best balance of benefit and cost for your building? It is always advisable to look at the facts before making an informed decision.
Here’s a summary so each type of commercial glazing to help you make the most informed decision.
Single Glazing
The single pane of glass in single-glazed windows is generally between 3mm and 10mm thick. The oldest type of window, single glazing has been used for hundreds of years.
Single-glazed windows are far cheaper than their double- and triple-glazed counterparts and this is their main benefit. Single-glazed units are also easy to replace as they do not contain gas, so they are not subject to the same issues with condensation as double- and triple-glazed windows.
A drawback of single-glazed windows are that they are not as insulating as double- or triple-glazed windows, either for warmth or sound. If your building is in a quiet, warm area, this wouldn’t be a problem, but in urban environments in the UK, this is an important consideration.
Double Glazing
Double-glazed windows became popular in the 1970s, delivering substantial savings on heating bills for businesses and residents alike. The two panes of glass that make up double-glazing are separated by either a vacuum, air, argon or krypton.
Double-glazed windows are far better insulators than single-glazed windows. They have a lower U-value, which means there is less heat transfer – more heat stays inside.
The other main benefit is soundproofing. This is created by the separation between the panes of glass – the larger the separation, the more soundproof it will be. Additionally, if one pane is thicker than the other, this will further increase the soundproofing.
Finally, double glazing is able to maintain cooler temperatures in summer, providing a more comfortable working environment.
Triple Glazing
Three panes of glass comprise a triple-glazed window, each being separated by a vacuum, air, argon or krypton depending on your choice. The benefits of triple glazing are the same as those of double glazing but to a higher degree:
- Triple-gazed windows are extremely good insulators. Some triple-glazed windows have U-values as low as 0.5.
- A high solar energy reflected percentage – this means that the inside of your building is kept nice and cool in summer.
- Soundproofing is even better than in double-glazed windows, as you’d expect. If this is particularly important to you, triple glazing could be your best choice – with panes having a combination of thicknesses such as 4mm, 6mm and 8mm.
- Security is another benefit. Triple-glazed windows are almost impossible for burglars to break, giving your building an important barrier all around.
Different types of glazing suit different environments. If your budget allows, triple-glazed windows offer the best solution for insulating your building (and keeping it cool in the summer), as well as soundproofing. In a more moderate environment, double- or even single-glazed windows may be perfectly adequate.
Conclusion
The right choice of glazing depends on your building’s location, budget, and insulation needs. While single glazing is cost-effective, it lacks insulation and soundproofing. Double glazing offers a great balance of efficiency and affordability, while triple glazing provides superior insulation, security, and noise reduction.
At NSS Group, we provide building maintenance services for commercial buildings across the UK. Contact us today for expert advice and maintenance services tailored to your needs.