With the winter season around the corner, now is the best time to winter-proof your home. The windows, in particular, require special attention as they might have become weaker during the warmer summer season. Some of the windows might miss a glass pane or two, or some have cracks making them unsuitable for the cold weather outside.
Broken or weak glass panes are not only a risk around young children, but could also be the reason for huge heating bills during the cold season. You might thus want to replace these windows with stronger and better ones. Installing new windows also means no draughts of cold air, hence improved energy efficiency in the long run. Investing in the right type of window will also see your home’s energy efficiency improve significantly. Some of the best types of windows for the winter season, all provided by KJM Group, include:
- Secondary Glazing
This option is recommended, especially where the cost of investing in new windows is too high, or replacement windows aren’t an option. Secondary glazing is thus ideal for traditional homes, conservation areas, and listed buildings among others. Homes with windows made of aluminium frames can thus take advantage of secondary glazing to improve its energy efficiency. Secondary glazing involves having another glass pane installed over the existing one. The secondary pane traps air in between farther improving the window’s insulation and energy efficiency. Secondary glazing systems can be installed in sliding (vertical and horizontal) units, hinged units, tilt-back vertical sliders, fixed units, and lift out units as well.
Advantages of Secondary Glazing
- Prevents draughts in the house
- Helps soundproof the house; double glazing helps reduce external noise by up to 75 per cent
- Help keep heat/warmth in and the cold air outside
- Added security
- Triple Glazing
Triple glazing is a viable and preferred option if looking to replace all your windows, doors included. Triple glazed windows have a better thermal (U-value) when compared to double glazing; hence one of the best options there is for winter-proofing your home. U-value is the measure used to determine a window’s energy performance. Single-paned windows have the worst energy performance with triple glazing considered one of the best. Double glazed windows have a U-value of around 2 with triple glazing bringing the numbers even lower, as low as 0.6. That said, triple glazing offers 40% better energy performance and insulation as compared to the top-rated double-glazing.
Advantages of Triple Glazing
- The extra-toughened glass pane offers better/improved security over double glazing
- Improved energy efficiency, thanks to the low-emissivity glass coating that prevents heat from escaping
- Aluminium Windows
Aluminium is one of the strongest, yet lightweight materials used in modern window/door construction. It is used for everything from patio doors in most homes to curtain walling in the tallest skyscrapers in the world today. Most architects will choose aluminium for their windows and doors any day. This is not only because aluminium is highly energy-efficient and robust, but also because it can be recycled.
To put it into context, 96% of the aluminium used in the old Wembley Stadium was recovered and recycled when the stadium was demolished. Polyamide technology has also taken the manufacture of aluminium windows and doors to the next level. Aluminium windows and doors are more energy-efficient, hence the perfect replacement for your old ones. You can thus take advantage of aluminium’s energy efficiency and insulation this winter by investing in improved aluminium windows.
Benefits of Investing in Aluminium Windows
- Aluminium windows and doors are very easy to clean
- Aluminium windows/doors don’t rust
- They are environmentally friendly and energy-efficient.
