When it comes to upgrading the windows in your home, there are many factors to consider. Everything from the shape and style of the window to the materials used plays an important role in the overall aesthetic and functionality of the final product.
The windows that decorate your home are more than opportunities to let in natural light and to enjoy your views — your windows protect you and your family from natural elements, including harsh weather and local wildlife, and are instrumental in reducing your energy costs.
When it comes to carrying out these responsibilities, not all window treatments are created equal. To ensure your home’s windows can operate at their highest level, proper window glazing is essential. Glazing is a term that many homeowners in Canada may be unfamiliar with, but it plays an important part in how your windows function and their overall longevity.
In this article, we’ll explore the meaning behind window glazing, its significance for homeowners, what to look out for when it’s time to upgrade your current window treatments, and how window manufacturers in Canada can help.
What is Window Glazing?
First things first — what exactly is window glazing?
Window glazing refers to the installation of glass or the windowpane you’ll find in all different types of windows. The term glazing was derived from an old English expression that means glass. In many cases, you’ll hear a window with two panes of glass described as a double-glazed window or a triple pane installation as a triple-glazed window.
Understanding these important window terms and phrases will not only give you greater insight into how your home functions but can also provide you with the knowledge and insight to choose the type of glazing that works best for your family.
Why is Window Glazing Important?
Window glazing is an essential part of how the windows in a home operate. Durable windows not only protect you from natural elements and local wildlife — they’re an important component of how your home appreciates in value over the years.
Window glazing is offered by professional window installation companies as a solution for homeowners struggling with higher energy costs, water leakage, and unwanted drafts or temperature changes in the home.
Quality windows are an important part of your home’s value and structural integrity. It’s an investment that will protect you and your family for years to come. Window glazing is an integral part of that investment.
Now that you understand the definition and importance of glazing your windows, the next step is understanding the three most common types of window glazing available in Canada. Knowing your options allows you to select the type of glazed window best suited to your home.
Types of Window Glazing
If you’re serious about improving the quality of your windows, you need to know the difference between single, double, and triple-glazed windows. Each contributes unique benefits that homeowners should consider before setting up an appointment with a window installation specialist.
Single-Glazed
Single-glazed windows are designed just as they sound — with a single pane of glass. In most cases, single-pane windows are the least energy-efficient of the three options, though they likely have a glazing compound, which is a putty that’s used to keep air out and hold the glass in place within the frame.
Single-pane windows are often found in older, traditional homes that have not been recently renovated. They were once the more favourable option due to their traditional style. This style is still available today, although you want to ensure it’s made from high-quality material and won’t compromise your safety or energy costs.
Double-Glazed
Double-glazed windows are composed of two glass panels and should have at least 1.2 centimetres of air between them. This gap between each panel is sealed shut, which ensures air can’t escape. The air then provides insulation which helps regulate the temperature of the home.
With an additional barrier in place, double-glazed windows offer greater energy protection and are often more cost-effective than triple glazed. They often allow more light and solar heat to enter the home, which can often warm up a space without needing to turn on a furnace or heater.
Triple-Glazed
In recent years, triple-glazed windows have become one of the most popular choices for homes in Canada — the reason being the increasing advantages of triple glazed windows. This style is made up of three panes of glass separated, in many cases, by a plastic film. With two layers of sealed air in between each set of panels, you’ll experience lower condensation rates and greater UV filtration.
With increased thermal insulation, homeowners can take comfort in knowing they’re protected from the harsh summer heat and cold winter winds. While they are often the most expensive option, they’re considered a significant investment that, in turn, can help homeowners save money each month.
Benefits of Upgrading Your Window Glazing
When it comes to learning about popular window styles in Canada, it’s important to understand the benefits that come with newly glazed windows. Whether you’re looking for double or triple-glazed, consider these benefits so that you can confidently select the right set of windows for your home.
Insulation & Energy Efficiency
The best insulation for your home is one that prevents heat from escaping and keeps your internal temperatures regulated and comfortable. How your windows are glazed plays an important role in that process.
Essentially, the more panes installed in your window, the more insulation you’re adding to your home. By keeping the natural elements outside and heating and cooling indoors, you’re also increasing your energy efficiency. This simple addition to your home can significantly reduce your utility costs since your furnace and air conditioning don’t need to work overtime to keep your temperatures regulated.
Increased Security
When it comes to your home and your family, safety is non-negotiable. That’s why it’s important to invest in newly glazed windows. By installing more panes installed within your window frames, you’re deterring intruders from attempting to access your home since multi-pane windows are significantly more challenging to break into.
Additionally, with newly glazed windows comes new hardware — which is an important contributor to ensuring your windows are securely attached and cannot be tampered with.
Noise Reduction
The more layers of glass installed in your new windows, the less noise you’ll be able to hear inside your home. This means you can enjoy more time with your family or complete important tasks without the distraction of traffic or pedestrians outside.
Signs Your Windows Need to Be Reglazed
Windows play an integral role in the comfort and security of your home. Many Canadians go years without inspecting their current windows and are unaware that it may be time to reglaze their current frames.
If you’ve noticed these common occurrences in your home, it may be time to install new windows with the help of an experienced windows and doors installation company.
Chips or Cracks
One of the most significant and clear signs it’s time to replace your windows is when you notice chips or cracks in the glass. Once your window have been chipped or cracked, their integrity has been compromised, and they’re unable to fully protect you from natural elements.
While it may seem insignificant, particularly if the damage is minor, a crack or chip in your window can lead to greater issues down the road, which will become more costly and time-consuming to fix.
Noticeable Drafts
If you’ve noticed it’s been difficult to keep your home warm in the winter, check the windows in your home for signs of a draft. If you feel air coming from your window frames, no matter how minor, this could be a sign that the seals around your windows have been compromised. In those instances, installing new windows will ensure that every component of your window has been addressed and is able to seal in heat inside the home.
Condensation Buildup
Condensation is common outdoors, but it shouldn’t find its way inside your home. If you notice droplets of water on the interior panes of your windows, this is either a sign that your window glazing should be replaced, or the humidity levels are too high in your home. To learn more about condensation, click here.
Condensation that forms in the space between the windowpanes is an indication that the seal within those panes has a leak and the gas cavity isn’t sealed. Replacing your windows with newly glazed additions is key to securing your home, especially during the winter months.
Rising Energy Bills
If you’ve noticed your energy bills have been increasing in recent months but you haven’t made any noticeable changes to how much energy you’re consuming, this could be an indication your windows are not performing at their optimal levels.
You should be able to feel slight drafts around the seals of your windows, which will show they’ve been unable to keep the heat in and cold air out. Newly glazed windows will provide that safety and comfort.
Water Leaks
Any amount of water leaking through window frames is a cause for concern and could indicate there is damage to the weather seal or there is a blockage in your window’s drainage section. While some windows can be repaired, it’s often a sign that your windows are outdated and cannot keep your home as secure as they used to. New multi-glazed windows will ensure moisture is kept outside and the interior of your home is never compromised.
Image Courtesy of Cole Keister via Pexels
Common Questions About Window Glazing
Can You Glaze Your Own Windows?
In some cases, there are DIY options available that provide step-by-step instructions for how to glaze a single-pane window. However, unless you’re an experienced window designer, it’s not possible to glaze double or triple-pane windows in your own garage or workspace. A professional window design and manufacturing company has the tools and experience necessary to create quality window treatments that will protect your home and your family.
Does a glazed window have a coating on the glass?
There are often common misconceptions that refer to glazed windows as a coating that is applied to the window itself — much in the way you think of when you think of an item like a glazed donut or a glazed cake. In actuality, a glazed window refers to the glass itself installed into the window frame. However, there are coatings that can be applied to a glazed window, including a Low-E coating, which is designed to reduce heat transfers through windows.
Are there multiple styles of triple-glazed windows?
Absolutely! At Golden Windows, we offer a selection of premium-quality triple-glazed window treatments for customers across Canada. Our window design and manufacturing specialists can help you select the right style for your home with our selection of glazed window treatments.
Our GoldenVinyl® 1000 Series is designed with four different Low-E options and is available in awning, casement, and fixed styles. The GoldenClad® Triple Glaze is available with multiple grille options, exterior brickmould, and can be installed with casement, awning, and fixed-style windows. Lastly, our Performer® Patio Door is designed to offer greater energy efficiency, lower maintenance, and is available in various grille options for any backyard patio door.
Get Started with Golden Windows
At Golden Windows, we’re changing the way homeowners think about the windows in their homes. We offer one of the largest selections of window styles in Ontario, with three retail locations in Kitchener, London, and Kanata.
We combine highly skilled craftsmanship with innovative technologies to produce aluminum, wood and vinyl windows and doors that increase energy efficiency, maximize security, and exceed expectations. We’ll help you understand the importance of features like window glazing so that you can select the right style and pane thickness for your home.
Schedule your first appointment with a window glazing specialist from Golden Windows today.