Catching up on double glazing

Double glazed windows use simple yet highly effective technology to improve insulation in homes. Each one features an insulation glass unit, or IGU for short. The IGU has two panes of glass with a spacer bar around the edge to leave a gap between each of them. This gap is either a vacuum or filled with inert gas, both of which act as an insulator, and all moisture is removed. The edge is then sealed to prevent moisture and air from entering the unit. The unit is finally fitted to a frame to be installed on a property.

The first examples of double glazing as a single unit were seen in America in the 1930s. Before this there is evidence from a number of countries around the world that two panes of glass had been used in windows but this is considered secondary glazing as the IGU was not used. When the idea was first created technology was not available to produce the flat, uniform glass that was needed to make the units work effectively so this caused delays in their development.

It took until 1941 for a manufacturer to take up the idea and claim they could meet the required glass standards. Unfortunately WWII caused huge additional delays and meant that modern double glazing as we know it didn’t enter the market in the US until 1952. The UK did not follow the trend until the 1970s and 1980s. By then technology had improved dramatically and the windows were a much higher quality. This made it very clear how much better they were than single paned windows.

Double glazing is now immensely popular in both residential and commercial properties throughout the UK. IGUs can be fitted into all kinds of frames, including timber, UPVC and metallic ones in a range of shapes and sizes. Composite materials consisting of a combination of timber and aluminium or UPVC and aluminium are also appearing. These offer many different benefits, combining the characteristics consumers can enjoy from different materials.

At Droylsden Glass we are proud to offer a selection of residential double glazing in Tameside and across the whole of Greater Manchester, catering for all kinds of residential properties. We can meet all kinds of needs, offering energy efficient windows that are also aesthetically pleasing and make fantastic additions to any home. We are happy to discuss the various window styles we can offer and help clients to choose the right ones for their homes.