How does double glazing work?

It’s safe to say that double glazing revolutionised heating, both in the United Kingdom and abroad. However, many people aren’t aware of just exactly how double glazing works. In this article from Salop Glass, we’ll be detailing how double glazing works. 

It All Starts With Argon, Krypton and Xenon

Before we talk about how double-glazing units are manufactured, you’ve first got to understand some basic chemistry. 

Air, as in the gas that we breathe every day, is a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and some other trace elements. This mixture, thanks to its large oxygen and nitrogen component, transfers heat very efficiently. Generally speaking, this particular characteristic of the atmosphere isn’t a problem; in fact, it may have been one of the things that encouraged life to grow in the first place. However, it also has the unfortunate effect of working the opposite way, too. 

But not every gas conducts heat in the same way. Lighter, less dense gases, are much more effective at working as insulators than oxygen or nitrogen. Three gases which match this characteristic are Argon, Krypton and Xenon. All three of these are noble gases, meaning they are non-reactive, colourless, and odourless. So unless it was pointed out, you’d never realise it if you encountered them. 

Double Glazing Unit

Clever engineers realised that if they trapped these gases between two window frames, they could increase a window’s thermal efficiency. So that’s what they did: they designed and manufactured a two-framed unit which could be fitted to a standard window frame.

This design was incredibly effective and quickly overtook older, less efficient designs. Today, double glazing is the standard type of window; however, in recent years, triple glazing has begun to become popular, too.

Double Glazing Windows in Telford, Shrewsbury, and Shropshire

At Salop Glass, we specialise in providing our clients with high-quality window and door products, including aluminium windows, composite doors, timber windows, and many more. 

So if you’re thinking of upgrading your windows this year, look no further than the number one glass suppliers in Telford. 

Contact Salop Glass today!