Double glazing for winter warmth and home comfort

The Ministry of Social Development, aligning with the World Health Organization's guidelines, recommend "setting 18°C as a minimum safe indoor temperature in cold seasons, and minimising or avoiding persistent dampness and microbial growth in homes." (1)

Additionally, keeping the relative humidity within the 40–60% range is essential to avoid dampness and the growth of mold. Reducing the amount of moisture in your home (improving ventilation, not drying clothes inside etc.,) will help to reduce the humidity level, however, many older homes will still struggle to meet these standards, often resorting to increased use of heat pumps and dehumidifiers, leading to higher energy costs.

A warm and consistent indoor temperature is not only about comfort but also about health. Studies, such as those conducted by the University of Otago (2), have shown that cold bedroom temperatures can adversely affect lung function, particularly in children.

Ensuring that your home is well-insulated, with a focus on high-quality window solutions such as retrofit double glazing, is a key step towards mitigating these risks and promoting a healthier living environment

For double glazing to be effective, it must be genuine and meet BRANZ-tested standards, ensuring durability and performance.

Genuine double glazing is a sealed unit comprising two panes of glass held apart by a spacer. This spacer has a dual seal applied between the glass and the spacer, and around the back of the spacer, resulting in a hermetically (air-tight) sealed unit. The space formed inside the unit is filled with gas, usually air or argon. This gas filled space performs like a thermal blanket, slowing down the movement of heat and cold through the double glazing, resulting in a warmer inside pane.

Genuine double glazing significantly reduces heat loss through windows and doors thereby increasing comfort and contributing to savings on power bills. It also plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal humidity levels and preventing the growth of bacteria, mold, and viruses that can cause health issues such as asthma and respiratory infections.

One of the most effective forms of insulation for addressing heat loss through windows and reducing the likelihood of condensation forming, is the installation of high-performance double glazing.

By including high-performing Low-E glass in your double glazing you can further reduce the amount of heat loss through your windows and doors and increase the warmth of the inside pane of your double glazing. Having a warmer pane facing inside your home improves the internal temperature of your home and reduces the risk of condensation forming on your windows.

High-performing double glazing, such as the SuperTherm™ Low-E range, offers superior insulation, keeping indoor spaces warmer and drier without compromising the clarity of the glass.

Superior Low-E double glazing such as the SuperTherm™ range of solutions are 'tuned' to control the energy coming from the Sun into your home, and to retain that energy within your home.  SuperTherm™ Low-E double glazing is designed to filter this inside heat energy, keeping it in and contributing to insulating your home more effectively, so your home is warmer and drier. 

When discussing Low-E glass, there are two categories based on how the Low-E coating responds to light:

• Solar Control Low-E glass - designed to transmit a high proportion of visible light, and block a high proportion of solar heat.
• Passive Control Low-E glass- designed to transmit high proportions of both visible light and solar heat.

Both Solar Control and Passive Control Low-E glass are designed to retain warmth within your home.

The SuperTherm™ double glazing range includes both options so that your double glazing solution can be customised for your home's individual requirements. And that's not all! SuperTherm™ double glazing solutions have a high level of clarity, ensuring your views are uninterrupted.

There is a common misconception that double glazing of any make up will keep your home warm and prevent any condensation. Though double glazing will work toward achieving both of these goals, especially when you include high-performing Low-E in your double glazing, there are some steps you can take to further reduce the risk of cold draughts and wet windows.

Keeping your home well-ventilated helps to reduce the humidity within your home.

• Remove un-flued gas heating.
• Insulate walls, floors and ceilings.
• Include ventilation in key moisture producing areas such as bathroom and kitchen with extractor fans.
• Activate passive ventilation in other areas (open your windows for as little as 15 minutes a day).
• Consider installing a balanced pressure ventilation system (refer note below).

The New Zealand Building Code requires that ventilation systems maintain air purity. Balanced pressure ventilation systems introduce fresh, clean air whilst removing a balanced amount of stale, humid air.

Prioritizing comprehensive insulation, with a special emphasis on high-quality double glazing such as SuperTherm™ Low-E double glazing solutions, is essential for keeping your home warm, dry, and energy-efficient. This approach not only enhances the comfort and health of its occupants but also contributes to long-term savings on energy costs.

Talk to a retroGLAZE® double glazing specialist about how double glazing with SuperTherm™ Low-E double glazing will help you enjoy a warmer, drier, healthier home. Contact us here or use the form below.

If you are a homeowner wanting to develop your plan for home comfort please head to www.retroglaze.co.nz/contact.

1: https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/research/housing-health-wellbeing/index.html

2: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/bedroom-temperatures-can-affect-kids-lungs-study/GXNPEMQV36SKTOVTPWQBUCBVLY/?c_id=6&objectid=10913298

3: Insulation of an insulated and uninsulated home image credit to Binmin Mellish edited by RetroGlaze.