What Are The Benefits Of UPVC Windows?

Although it is clear that double glazing is the best choice when it comes to installing windows, the different materials used to create the frames could give you a headache. These materials include wood, aluminium, UPVC and a host of composite materials that blend together two or more materials in the hope of creating a strong, cost effective and energy efficient alternative to traditional frames. Of all the materials mentioned, UPVC has gained possibly the largest following and below are some of the reasons why.

Value For Money

It’s no surprise to learn that the average British family is struggling in the midst of this recession. The poor economy has really gripped the nation and we are eager to find value for money whenever possible. UPVC certainly falls into this category because it is the least expensive of the main materials used to create window frames. Yet the price is wholly irrelevant if the product is not of reasonable quality. Fortunately, UPVC frames are of a fairly good standard which a high level of durability. Most companies offer you a 10 year guarantee on UPVC frames though most last far beyond that. Unlike other materials, UPVC does not expand, contract or warp during extreme weather conditions.

Cleaning

Once we have our double glazed windows installed, the only thing we want is to enjoy its energy saving capabilities. When you purchase UPVC frames, this is exactly what happens. The material is easily cleaned and a quick wipe with a damp cloth is often enough to remove any stains that appear. Compare this to wooden frames which need to be constantly monitored to ensure that no cracks appear. Wood also needs to be painted and varnished to protect it from the elements. Even aluminium requires more attention than UPVC which never flakes or chips.

Insulation

Despite the fact that it is relatively inexpensive, UPVC frames probably offer the best level of insulation of any material on the market. There is no doubt that the other materials do a solid job but for their price, they should be better at insulating the home and keeping noise out than UPVC but they aren’t.

Safety

Another surprising thing about UPVC is its ability to keep your home secure. Although wood is costly and more aesthetically pleasing than UPVC, it does not provide your windows with stronger frames. Aluminium is stronger than UPVC but the difference really isn’t that great. When you consider that the metal is several times more expensive, there should be a yawning chasm in quality but this gap is conspicuous by its absence.

In reality, the only area where UPVC falls down against its counterparts is in terms of appearance. It is plain and can turn yellow after a number of years. Yet for families on a budget, a nice looking window frame is the least of their worries. They want something that they can afford, will make their home more energy efficient and secure while requiring little or no cleaning. UPVC ticks all of these boxes and more which is why it will continue to be a popular choice when it comes to window frames. 

How Are Windows Made?

Have you ever wondered how those windows you see installed in your home are made? Are you keen to discover what processes these windows go through in order to ensure that your home is secure and energy efficient? If so, read on to find out more about how windows are made.

Window Frames

There are numerous materials used in the creation of window frames including wood, aluminium and PVC. Fibrex is a new material used for frames and is a combination of vinyl PVC and recycled wood fibres. The wood fibres are ground down until they are extremely fine. Most companies produce this combination in pellets which are then exposed to incredible levels of heat and pressure where they become soft and are moulded into the form of a frame. The frames are then cooled to ensure they maintain their shape.

This makes up the individual pieces of the window frame. Now, expert technicians measure these pieces and cut them to fit each individual home’s requirement. A fusion welder is often used in this instance and it heats the corners of each frame before fusing them into a square frame. This should result in an airtight seal which is essential for energy efficiency. The above is just one example of how a window frame is made.

The Glass

The manufacturing process behind the creation of the window’s glass is entirely different depending on the type of glass. For example, if a company is creating flat and clear glass, sometimes known as float glass, it needs to begin by pouring molten glass onto molten tin tank in an atmosphere than is 100% nitrogen. The glass will float to the top because it is less dense than tin and it should form an even, glossy surface. The glass that is poured is cooled by tin rollers. It is important that this is a slow process because cooling the glass too quickly will result in cracks appearing in the glass. The reason why the nitrogen is there is to ensure that the glass does not oxidise.

When low-emissivity glass (low-e) is made, the glass has a layer of oxidised metal on one side. This is what makes low-e glass such a great insulator. This process enables light and heat to come into a room but the thin layer on the inside ensures that neither heat nor light escapes as easily. The manufacturing process is such that it ensures both sides of the glass are transparent despite this layer. The metal oxide layer is usually added as soon as the glass is taken from the tin bath though cathode sputtering can also be used to apply the layer at a later stage.

With so many different materials used for the window frame and with various types of glass also on offer, there is no single method of making windows that is uniform. Companies have their own unique ways of creating a window but hopefully, the above information will give you some insight in the skilful process of window making. 

What Does Grade A Certified Mean?

The whole point of window energy ratings is to inform consumers about the energy efficiency of the windows they currently have in place. It is an initiative which is designed to help the British public save money on their energy bills while also reducing the nation’s CO2 output. The British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC) dreamed up these ratings in 2004 and they are based along the same lines as household appliance ratings. The system goes from A-G with an ‘A’ rating being the most energy efficient. With between 25-30% of a home’s heat escaping through windows, the issue of energy efficiency in windows is an extremely important one.

Formula

The energy rating of windows is calculated by a formula which includes the glass’ solar heat transmittance, otherwise known as the ‘g’ value. A combination of the window’s frame and glass are calculated for the ‘U’ rating. The BFRC were forced to introduce a minimum size for windows because contractors were circumnavigating the minimum ‘U’ rating requirement in homes by making the windows smaller. The BFRC has now decreed that every home should have windows with at least a ‘C’ rating.

Gaining Grade A Certification

The quest to achieve Grade A efficiency is a difficult one with most double glazed windows managing a ‘B’ rating. Low-emissivity (low-e) glass is deemed to be the best quality but this alone may not be enough to secure an A rating. This is because the ratings concentrate on the solar gain and heat loss of the glass. Although low-e glass is virtually peerless in terms of maximum solar gain, its heat loss properties are not the best. A window’s rating also depends on the air that’s contained between the glass panes and the material used in the frame. Aluminium for example, is not the best frame to have in terms of energy efficiency.

To gain Grade A efficiency in a window, you have to improve its ‘g’ value without altering its ‘U’ value or improve the ‘U’ value without lowering the ‘g’ value. Using argon in the gap between the two panes of glass will help improve the ‘U’ value while using glass that is low in iron will aid in your quest to improve the ‘g’ value. It is also important to look at other factors such as the ‘U’ value of the frame and the size of this frame in comparison to the glass. It has long been assumed that an A rating can only be achieved by purchasing expensive triple glazing and even more costly krypton gas. However, adding certain features to double glazing can have the same effect.

In summation, Grade A certified windows are the Holy Grail when it comes to energy efficiency. Grade A windows save more energy than any other and could reduce your annual energy bill by around £200. You will recoup the price of the windows within a few years and also be safe in the knowledge that you have massively helped reduce your carbon footprint. All we need are for more UK citizens to follow suit and this nation will be among the world leaders in household energy efficiency. 

What Makes Good Double Glazing?

At this point, we should all know why double glazing is the best option when it comes to putting in new windows. It is estimated that if every home in the UK had double glazing, more than £700 million a year would be saved on energy bills and we would collectively reduce our emissions of CO2 by the equivalent of approximately 750,000 homes. Double glazing keeps heat in and reduces the level of noise you will hear from outside. They also require less maintenance than other windows and are available in a range of different designs. Yet there are different types of double glazing windows, some of which are better than the others.

Gas Or Air?

When choosing double glazing windows, you have the option of choosing dehydrated air or a gas such as argon or krypton to fill in the gap between the two panes of glass. Although argon is more expensive than air, it also gives you a greater level of insulation thus reducing your energy bill. Argon’s thermal conductivity is 34% less than air and this leads to an increased ‘U’ rating of 30% when compared with double glazed windows filled with air. Indeed, it is estimated that the average window will not lose more than 5% of its air over the course of its 25 year lifespan. Krypton and Xenon are also superior to air when it comes to energy efficiency but they are far more expensive than Argon which remains the most popular choice.

Frames

Double glazed windows also come in a variety of window frames. You can choose between wood, PVC and aluminium. Although PVC frames are the cheapest option and require the least amount of maintenance, they are not as good a choice as aluminium. In fact, even wooden frames are stronger than their PVC equivalent. Wooden frames are extremely attractive but they have a tendency to crack and shrink in extreme weather conditions. The other option for a double glazed window is aluminium. This metal frame is strong, will last for the window’s lifetime and requires little cleaning. However, aluminium is not a good insulator and is also very expensive.

Glass

When it comes to choosing the glass for a double glazing window, remember that the British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC) require windows to have a rating of ‘C’ or better. There are a variety of glass types that can be used but low-emissivity (low-e) is the best choice when it comes to energy efficiency. The reason why low-e glass is the best is because it undergoes a manufacturing process that builds up tiny layers of coating. The coating allows heat and light to enter the room while preventing it from escaping. It is estimated that low-e glass reduces heat loss by almost 40% more than regular double glazing glass.

Although almost any form of double glazing windows are superior to single pane glass, you need to make certain choices to enhance the energy efficiency of the windows. For example, a wooden window frame with argon between low-e glass will probably save the most money in the long run.