You might have seen the term U-Values quite a lot when looking for new windows for your home or business. Whilst you may not have given it much thought when coming across the term, U-Values have a huge impact on the energy efficiency of your property, which in turn effects other crucial factors in your home/business. As a team of experienced glaziers in Devon, we've put together this guide to help you understand U-Values, so you can make more informed choices for your home or business.
What are U-Values?
U-Values, or thermal Transmittance, measures the rate at which heat transfers through a material. The U-Value of a window signifies how much heat is lost through the window, this determines it's energy efficiency. The lower the U-Value, the better the insulation, and the higher the energy efficiency.
As expert glaziers in Devon, we know just how many benefits come from having energy-efficient windows. An energy-efficient window will reduce the amount of heat escaping through it, which will stop cold draughts getting through into your home during the winter and in turn will lower the cost of your energy bill, as the need to heat your home won't be as frequent. As well as all of that, you will be making a positive impact on the environment and even reducing the amount of noise coming in from outside.
Windows and their U-Values
Understanding the range of U-Values each type of window possesses, will enable you to make better informed decisions when it comes to choosing your windows. Lets break down the three main types of windows and the range of U-Values you can expect them to have.
Single Glazed Windows
Single glazed windows are a single pane of glass, this provides minimal insulation leading to excessive heat loss from your home. These windows have the highest U-Values out of all window types, therefore, they are not very energy-efficient. U-Values for single glazed windows typically range from 4.0-6.0W/m²K.
Double Glazed Windows
Double glazed windows consist of two panes of glass with a space in-between which is filled with either gas or air. This enhances the insulation of the window, reducing heat loss significantly compared to a single glazed window. Due to this, double glazed windows have lower U-Values which usually range from 1.2 to 3.0W/m²K, however, this depends on a few factor such as glass coatings or the materials inside the space between the glass panes.
Triple Glazed Windows
A triple glazed window has three panes of glass, each separated by a space filled with gas or air. The thermal performance of these windows are far superior to both the double and single glazed windows, with the two insulating spaces massively reducing heat transfer in your home.
Out of all types of windows, triple glazed have the lowest U-Values, offering optimal energy-efficiency. The U-Values for triple glazed windows generally range from 0.8 to 1.2W/m²K.
Choosing the Right Windows for You
All of this information can be a lot to take in, if you're unsure which type of window would benefit you the most, here are a few things to consider when deciding on a window:
- Climate conditions around you
- Positioning of your property
- Energy efficiency goals
- Budget
Investing in windows with lower U-Values will increase the thermal efficiency of your home, meaning it will reduce heat loss in the winter and reduce heat gain in the summer, this provides a more comfortable home to live in and lowers your energy bills. Whether you want to save some money or help have a positive impact on the environment, at Glassfast, our team of professional glaziers in Devon, recommend triple glazed windows to get the most out of your glazing.
