The Insulated Glass Standard: Double Pane Windows

Most people think of a window as just a sheet of glass separating them from the outdoors without spoiling the view. Ideally, a window should be like a clear wall, but wind, rain, blistering sun, and other harsh bits of weather make this harder to achieve than one might think. Enter the double pane window, one of the most notable advancements in window technology since we figured out how to make glass.

The Insulated Glass Standard

Insulation works by utilizing dead air space. Think of a fluffy down jacket; the puffiness of the feathers is what keeps your body heat in. If it was just a matter of stopping airflow, we'd all be wearing something more akin to a garbage bag during those harsh winters. Now apply this comparison to windows: a single pane window is great for looking through and stopping the weather, but is it insulating?

Double pane windows, two panes of glass with a gap in between, are the standard for insulated glass. Because feathers aren't transparent, the space in between the two panes is filled with either air or an inert, non-toxic gas, like argon. For colder environs, go for the gas fill; it insulates better than air. For more sweltering locations, air is a fine fill, but you may want to look for windows with a low emissivity rating (essentially how much heat is tranferred by incoming sunlight).

While triple pane windows insulate better, they are more expensive and a touch more cumbersome because of their width. Double pane windows are easily crafted into whatever type or shape of window you desire. They are readily available from suppliers across the country. In addition to being one of the best choices for insulated glass, double pane windows block a significant amount of noise. No two ways about it, double pane windows are a clear choice for you home.