Having lived in the north of England for the better part of forty years, I have learned to appreciate the benefits of double glazing and know that double glazing Halton and double glazing East Leeds or in fact double glazing West Yorkshire anywhere, is so totally worth the money spent!

Putting aside the other benefits of double glazing for the moment, just consider that if you swapped all the single glazed windows in a three-bedroom house youd save around 165 a year on your heating bill, as well as 680kg of carbon dioxide emissions. Also, since it should last for at least 20 years, you will make about 3,300 savings over 20 years. Apart from your lower fuel bills and helping the environment, you need to consider the fact that double glazed windows look more attractive and modern, and will provide you with warmth and comfort throughout the year.

The benefits of double glazing are often stated as being:

Energy efficiency and reduced heating bills
Heat retention
Noise reduction
Increased security
Reduced condensation

What is uPVC?

UPVC stands for un-plasticized polyvinyl chloride. It is the cheapest option of all double glazing materials, up to three times cheaper than traditional wooden frames, and also the most energy efficient.It is available in a variety of colours and finishes (including wood effect), although white is the most popular, and it is also recyclable and durable.UPVC requires little maintenance other than a wipe with a soft cloth and at most a little washing up liquid.Although they are more expensive, wood or aluminum frames tend to be the most visually pleasing.

What about timber double glazing?

Double glazed windows do not have to come in uPVC. Other materials are available such as aluminum and wood.Timber is a greener option as it is a naturally renewable material. Many people feel wooden windows look nicer and more subtle than uPVC, particularly for traditional or period-style houses.While timber windows tend to be more expensive and need maintenance, if properly looked after they can last a very long time.If you cant have double glazing (for example if you live in a listed building) secondary glazing is an alternative. This works by fitting a second layer of glass inside your existing windows. It isnt as effective as full double glazing but it could still save you around 85 a year on your heating bills and 460kg of CO2.

The life of a double glazed unit varies depending on the quality of materials used, size of gap between inner and outer pane, temperature differences, workmanship and location of installation both in terms of facing direction and geographic location, as well as the treatment the unit receives. This is where you will find that it is necessary to have double glazing replacements done to your home and for this you have the choice of having the whole units replaced, with the frames and glass, or just the glass, depending on your budget and the extent of the damage.