Selecting New Windows For Your Home

2 Methods for Increasing the Energy Efficiency of Your Home's Windows

by Frederick Stanley

Having a home that is energy efficient is an important consideration for many Australian homeowners. Increased energy efficiency directly translates to a more comfortable interior temperature at any time of the year, and it also means that you'll spend less on heating and cooling costs during hot or cold periods.

Most people understand how important adequate insulation is in creating an energy efficient home. Far fewer people understand the role that windows play, which can leave a home vulnerable to escaping or penetrating heat and significantly higher energy bills.

Windows account for a large percentage of a home's wall space, and they are notorious for being one of the biggest culprits when it comes to letting heat and cold flow freely from inside your home to outside and vice versa. Fortunately, it's possible to increase the energy efficiency levels of your windows with these two methods.

1. Double glazing

Double glazed windows have been a standard feature on European homes for many decades. In recent years, they've also become an increasingly popular choice for many Australian homeowners as well. Their popularity lies in the effective way that they insulate windows and creates an effective barrier against heat transference.

Double glazed windows use two panes of glass instead of the standard single pane. The panes are installed leaving a small, air-filled space between them which acts an insulative layer. Sometimes the space is filled with an inert gas, such as argon, which further increases the energy efficiency of the double glazed windows.

2. Insulative window film

If you don't want to replace all of your home's glazing, or you'd simply like to make your double glazed windows even more energy efficient, then an insulative window film is an excellent option. This thin film, made from a Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) has an adhesive surface that's stuck directly onto the glass. This acts as a very good reflector of heat and cold.

Window film also has other benefits. It can increase the security of your windows and make them more difficult to break. It can also aid in increasing privacy within your home if you opt for a film that is tinted or reflective as well as insulative.

Whether you choose one of these options or decide to combine them both, your home will enjoy the benefits of the increased energy efficiency that they provide. Contact your local window suppliers for more information.

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