Author: Ian Greenhalgh

If you’re looking to equip your home with new windows, double glazing is a cost-effective option that can save you money in the long run. You’ve probably already considered the advantages to installing double glazed windows – but there are a few other things to consider before you make your final decision.

As double glazed window repair specialists at Cloudy2Clear, we’ve got a great deal of experience regarding what to look out for when thinking about your new installation. Here’s our guide on what you should consider when buying double glazed windows.

Find the Ideal Type of Glass for Your Windows

There’s much more to double glazed windows than just the double glazing feature itself. The type of glass you choose for your double glazed windows can have a significant impact on the performance of your windows. Different types of glass are best suited to different environments, and can offer additional features that you might not have previously considered.

Here’s an overview on the various types of glass you can use for double glazed windows and their properties.

Energy Efficiency Ratings

Double glazed windows are allocated energy ratings that demonstrate how energy efficient your new windows will be. Grade A is the higher rating with the better performance in terms of energy efficiency, while C is on the lower end of the scale.

·       Grade A

Grade A and A+ windows offer the highest levels of energy efficiency available on the market. They insulate the home impressively well, retaining any heat stored in the home for longer periods of time. While this rating will help you to save money on heating bills in the long run, it’s a more expensive option to buy. If you have no concerns about your budget and are willing to invest in a long-term double glazing solution, Grade A windows might work for you.

·       Grade B

Grade B windows are energy-efficient, though they’re not as high performance as Grade A. If you’re working with a mid-level budget and looking to keep your homes well insulated, Grade B is an ideal option.

·       Grade C

For those with a limited budget, Grade C windows still offer energy-efficiency advantages, albeit on a lower scale. Grade C double glazed windows still help save money on heating with their heat retention properties, but they’re not as efficient as Grade A windows.

Types of Glass

As well as choosing the right level of energy efficiency that works for your home and your budget, you can opt for different types of glass in your windows.

·       Self-Cleaning Glass

Self-cleaning double glazed window glass helps keep your windows looking fresh without the need for all the extra cleaning effort on your behalf. Self-cleaning glass is treated with chemical coatings that either dispel rainwater away from the window or allow dirt to dissolve away in sunlight. Self-cleaning glass is perfect if you’re fitting double glazed windows into spaces with lots of windows that would otherwise require lots of manual cleaning, such as conservatories.

·       Tempered Glass

Tempered glass is toughened glass that’s been thermally treated to improve durability and strength. Ordinary glass, when broken, can shatter into dangerous jagged shapes that can cause more harm if we come into contact with them. Due to its careful chemical or thermally treated properties, tempered glass shatters into small pieces that are not as likely to cause so much damage. Tempered glass is therefore ideal for situations where human safety should be considered. For window applications, it’s recommended if you live in an area with high burglary or crime rates.

·       Noise Reduction Glass

If you live in an area prone to noise pollution, consider noise reduction glass. This type of glass insulates your home from external noises by minimising the sound waves that can penetrate through the glass and into your building. Noise reduction glass is ideal if you have an office in the home where you need to be able to concentrate. It can help if you have trouble sleeping at night due to outside noise, or if you live close to a main road and can hear the traffic from inside your home.

Think About Upgrades and Extras

Double glazed window companies each offer different advantages when you shop with them. From warranties to extra security features, it’s important to check what’s on offer before you buy so you can compare the benefits effectively.

Check how long the window’s warranty or length of guarantee lasts before you commit to a purchase. With Cloudy2Clear, all our work is guaranteed for 25 years. This means whatever happens, we’re always on hand to replace your double glazed windows within that time – free of charge.

Look for Quality Customer Service

Many service providers seem to offer great quality customer service on the surface – it’s what they do best. But for some, when you dig a little deeper, you can find negative reviews concerning both the quality of the work and the long-term quality of their customer service. Always check the reviews of companies by using reliable review websites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews.

The double glazing service you choose should impress you with quality interactions right from the very first enquiry you make with them. The company you go with should value you as a customer, providing the best possible customer care that really makes you feel looked after. They should be willing to listen to and answer any enquiries, no matter how small. If they fail to provide adequate service from the beginning, you can trust that any potential disputes further down the road will be tricky to navigate and resolve.

Double Glazed Windows with Cloudy2Clear

When you’re investing any amount of money into your home, you want to look for that quality reassurance that helps you put your trust in your choice of specialist. At Cloudy2Clear, our customer-service focused team are dedicated to ensuring each of our clients is 100% satisfied with our work. Our 25-year guarantee shows our dedication to our craft, so you know you’re getting the best for your money.

For a free, no obligation double glazed windows quote, fill out our contact form. You can also call our team on 0800 61 21 119 and we’ll discuss exactly how we can help you.

In most situations, double glazing faults take years to appear – some people don’t experience any issues with their double glazing at all. 73% of people experience no issues whatsoever in the first 10 years with their double glazing. However, faults can happen, especially over time. Identifying the problem early on and finding someone to fix your double glazing faults is essential in keeping your home well insulated and secure.

At Cloudy2Clear, we’re leading specialists in providing quality double glazing solutions. We’re dedicated to providing the best double glazing services, with over 15 years of experience in industry. We’re also passionate about informing the public about ways to recognize their double glazing has developed a fault – as any problems reduce the energy efficiency of your home.

Here’s our guide to the most common double glazing problems, as outlined by a 2021 survey by Which.

Windows or doors becoming difficult to open or close (30%)

If your double glazed windows or doors become difficult to open and close, they may need repairing. Your doors and windows can fail due to mechanical reasons, such as locks and handles being faulty or hinges shifting over time. It’s worth checking each hinge, handle, and lock to identify where the problem is coming from before seeking a repair.

They can also grow more difficult to use effectively due to weather conditions. When it’s hot outside, your frames and windows can expand – shrinking again once the weather becomes cold. This puts strain on your fixtures and can cause them to lose their shape over time. To avoid this, wipe over your window and door frames with cold water in very hot weather.

Windows or doors dropping over time, so they don’t fit as well (20%)

One of the key reasons windows or doors become hard to open or close is that they have dropped over time. As we mentioned above, this can happen due to the weather or mechanical faults. A double glazed window or door that doesn’t fit the frame correctly loses its energy efficiency, since cool air can enter the home through even the smallest of gaps between the frames. This is why it’s important to get the problem fixed as soon as possible.

Other key signs your double glazing needs fixing due to sagging include:

• Loose hinges that don’t improve when you tighten the screws
• Doors and windows that get ‘stuck’ when you open and close them
• No improvement to the problem when you’ve oiled the hinges and handles
• Feeling a draught entering the home where the window or door doesn’t fit correctly

Locks not working (15%)

The locks on your windows and doors can also fail, meaning the security of your home is compromised. To keep your family and possessions safe, get any broken locks fixed as soon as you notice them.

Glass steaming up or problems with condensation (14%)

Whenever damp, humid air comes into contact with colder surfaces, condensation can form. Steamed glass is a bad sign for double glazed windows, as the constant presence of water by the seals around your window can weaken the seal – eventually causing gaps and letting warm air escape your home. Excessive amounts of condensation can also result in mould around your windows, as the damp air provides the perfect conditions for mould to grow and spread.

If you notice condensation or cloudiness between the two panes of your double glazing, your windows probably need replacing. This can happen at any point with double glazing, especially in the winter months as your home is kept at a warmer temperature than it is outdoors.

The good news here is that there are preventative measures you can take that help avoid the issue of condensation in the first place.

• Ventilate rooms with fresh air, opening windows when the weather isn’t too cold
• Open windows when showering or bathing to let steam escape
• Use extractors where possible, such as your oven extractor fan
• Install ventilation systems – trickle vents and air bricks can help
• Use a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity levels within your home

Seals around doors or windows failing (12%)

As we mentioned above, the seals in your double glazed windows or doors can fail. This can happen for a number of reasons, but it’s important that you get these faults fixed to maintain the energy efficiency of your windows.

·       Natural Wear and Tear Over Time

As our windows age, so does the quality of the seals around them.

·       Weather Damage

In summer months, your windows are exposed to high temperatures that can cause the glass to expand. This places additional pressure on the seal as it copes with the extra weight. At night when the weather cools down, the glass then shrinks. This repeated process can damage the seal due to the constant expansion and shrinking of glass putting extra stress on the seal.

·       Faulty Manufacturing

Damaged window seals can result from faulty manufacturing or defective materials used to install your double glazed windows. To avoid this from the beginning, look for a quality double glazing specialist with excellent reviews. If broken seals occur due to product faults, your manufacturer may have a window warranty in place so it’s always worth checking before you seek a repair.

• Improper Maintenance
  The more care we treat our windows with, the longer they will last. If you use damaging products on your windows such as pressure washers or strong cleaning products that can wear the plastic down, this can damage the seal.

Double glazing cracking or shattering (4%)

Windows can break or crack, depending on the weather conditions and the way you treat them. While this is the least common of the reasons double glazing becomes faulty, it can happen. Prevent any damage to your windows by:

• Opt for tempered glass when you have your double glazing fitted.
• Choose pale-coloured window coverings avoiding exreme temperature differences.
• Reduce humidity in your home by using a dehumidifier, especially in more extreme temperatures.
• Be careful around your double glazed windows and check for any scratches in the glass regularly. Any damage to the glass creates weak points, which can later cause more damage to your windows.

Repair Your Double Glazing with Cloudy2Clear

If you’ve noticed any of the above issues with your double glazed windows, it’s time to get them repaired! Repairing your windows quickly is key to keeping your home energy efficient, reducing your heating bills as your windows work to insulate your home themselves.

For more information about how Cloudy2Clear can fix your double glazing, get in touch with our knowledgeable team on 0800 61 21 119. We can provide you with a free, no obligation quote so you know just how much your repairs will cost you. You can also fill out our handy online contact form if you’d like us to get back to you to discuss your quote.

Double glazing is an efficient way to keep heat energy in the home, reducing the amount you have to spend on your energy bills in the long run. Since it’s been around for a while now, there are a wide range of double glazing designs that can be used for windows.

Each of these types of double glazing has different properties that can work in varying situations. Here is our guide to the different types of double glazing, and the advantages you might find with each type.

Annealed (or Float) Glass

Annealed glass, also known as float glass, is ideal for the cost effective replacement of your double glazed windows. While annealed glass is lacks the stricter health and safety concerns that many other types of double glazing have taken into account as it shards into long strips of glass once broken, it is a cheaper alternative for many.

Annealed glass is glass that has been thermally treated and then gradually cooled down. This thermal treatment works to relieve the glass of any residual internal pressures from the manufacturing stage, improving the overall durability of the glass. Annealed glass is also referred to as ‘float glass’ as this thermal and cooling treatment is often applied at the manufacturer’s float plant. Annealed glass, despite its durability, is actually softer glass than many of the other types of double glazing available – such as tempered glass.

Annealed glass is best for:

• Low-cost double glazing solutions
• Places where health and safety isn’t so much of a concern
• Situations where windows are highly unlikely to break

Tempered (or Toughened) Glass

Tempered double glazing is processed glass that’s been treated with chemicals or thermal treatments to result in a stronger, safer glass. Also referred to as toughened glass, tempered glass is ideal for situations where health and safety is of the utmost concern. Tempered glass, even when broken, is safer than the other types such as annealed glass – since it breaks down into many small, granulated shards that won’t cause as much significant injury as jagged pieces would.

Tempered glass is also four times stronger than annealed glass, meaning it’s also more likely to last longer. This heightened durability can make tempered glass well worth the price increase, as it becomes more cost effective due to less breakage in the long run. This makes toughened glass the go-to choice for those in areas with high rates of vandalism, or even where weather conditions can get severe enough to damage property.

Tempered glass is best for:

• Places with severe weather conditions, such as hurricanes
• Areas with high rates of vandalism or crime
• Cost effective double glazing solutions
• High traffic areas or situations
• Longer lasting double glazing

Laminated Glass

Laminated glass is another type of double glazing designed to maximise safety. A thin polymer interlayer works to hold together the shards if the glass is broken, resulting in a ‘spider web’ appearance crack in the glass. Laminated glass is a popular choice for car windows, as the safety interlayer can help stop any damage to the windscreen actually piercing through into the car – while holding broken glass in place.

Laminated glass usually has the additional advantage of providing more sound insulation, absorbing sound inherently with many of the properties of the materials used to create the interlayer. It can also block out more UV rays, depending on the quality of the materials used.

Laminated glass is best for:

• Spaces in need of extra security measures
• Areas where glass is at higher risk of breakage, such as in cars
• Skylights and roof windows

Low E Glass

Low E glass stands for ‘low emissivity glass,’ a highly energy efficient type of double glazing glass that prevents heat from escaping the home. Low E glass features a special coating that’s actually thinner than human hair, demonstrating just how efficient even a small layer of the coatings can be. Low E glass keeps the home insulated by deferring infrared and ultraviolet light from your windows, reflecting any interior warmth back into the home so it stays where you need it most.

Low E glass is best for:

• Insulating the home or building
• Reducing energy costs
• Keeping a more environmentally friendly home
• An additional level of UV protection

Self-Cleaning Glass

Self-cleaning glass is most commonly used in situations where windows will be hard to reach – such as in skyscrapers or top storey floors. Self-cleaning glass was once a seemingly impossible invention, and while the mechanisms do still have a long way to go, we now have access to technology that keeps our windows dirt-free for us.

There are two types of self-cleaning glass for double glazing. Hydrophobic self-cleaning glass will repel water, often designed so that static water can easily roll off its surface. This movement of water across the surface of glass – i.e. whenever it rains – will automatically ensure the glass is clean and dirt-free. Hydrophilic glass, on the other hand, works by breaking down any dirt that appears on the surface through the process of photocatalysis – where sunlight dissolves the grime. Self-cleaning windows can be chemically treated with special coatings or waxes that will repel or help dissolve any dirt, or they can be designed via certain processing techniques.

Self-cleaning glass is best for:

• Areas with lots of traffic pollution
• Skyscraper windows that can’t easily be cleaned
• Those considering sustainable home solutions
• Cost-saving purposes

Noise Control Glass

Noise control glass is favoured for homes and commercial buildings in areas with high levels of noise pollution. These might be in cities with a lot of traffic, near a main road, or in offices surrounded by construction sites. Whatever the compounding decision to use noise control glass is, it’s safe to say that it’s a great addition to many homes – a place we should feel relaxed and in control of our own environment, rather than being subject to external conditions that are beyond our control.

Noise control glass can be created in a number of ways, most commonly being by increasing the thickness of the glass in order to reduce the frequency with which sound can travel through your windows. Double glazing is a much better choice than single pane windows if you wish to reduce noise pollution, since the soundwaves must travel through not just one but two panes of glass in order to enter your home. Further levels of soundproofing can be achieved by increasing the space between the panes of glass, or adding additional layers of glass.

Noise control glass is best for:

• Noisy areas such as cities, main roads, near construction sites
• Keeping your home calm and stress-free
• Getting a good nights’ sleep or rest – hotels, spas

Fire Protection Glass

Fire protection glass is a kind of double glazing that offers a much greater level of safety than its non-fire proof counterparts. Fire protective glass is also known as fire rated glass. The key advantage to using fire protection glass is that the integrity of your windows and doors still hold up despite the presence of fire or smoke.

Fire resistant glass is available to suit varying levels of fire protection, and fire protective qualities can be achieved through using a number of techniques. Wire can be used to maintain the structural integrity of your glass even despite the window shattering due to heat damage. Similar levels of integrity can be achieved through resin coatings, similar to how laminated glass is reinforced. Toughened, or tempered glass, is often already more fire resistant due to the thermal treatments it has been subject to – though these can be compounded with additional treatments to further improve the protective and resistant qualities of the glass.

Fire protection glass is best for:

• Places where safety must be considered – hospitals, schools
• Areas where fire is more likely, such as in restaurants
• Protecting your home against potential fire damage

Double Glazing by Cloudy2Clear

At Cloudy2Clear, our specialities focus on repairing failed double glazed windows. Our exhaustive knowledge surrounding the different types of double glazing puts us in a well-placed position to advise you on exactly which type of double glazing you ,your business, or your home, will benefit from the most.

If you’re interested in our double glazing solutions, get in touch with our team today HERE. Our eco friendly technology makes insulating and protecting your home more environmentally friendly than ever, so you can keep your sustainability values in check while looking after your best interests.