As early as the early 19th century, there is evidence of what we can call ‘secondary’ style glazing in Scotland and Germany. It was, however, an American inventor who conceived of the concept we now know as double glazing. Charles D. Haven, a refrigeration engineer, updated the earlier idea of having two panes by patenting ‘Thermopane’ in 1932. It consisted of a sealed unit using a dehydrated air gap, which prevented condensation between the two panes.
It took hold in the 1950’s because of its thermal efficiency. In the modern American home, couples and families could regard themselves as being sophisticated if they owned a dwelling with double glazing.
Unfortunately, it had not caught on in the United Kingdom. In the building boom of the early 1960’s, many new houses and tower blocks struggled to stay warm with the inherent designs of the day. Mould and condensation were common problems.
Taking these two issues at hand, mould brings its own set of implications, respiratory problems, asthma, and allergies to name but three. Condensation, meanwhile, can lead to dripping, dampness, and the deterioration of the plaster.
So, we reach 1965, and a shift in the emphasis from the UK government, with building regulations insisting that there should be a future-proofing of new homes, and legislation protecting those dwelling in them. Furthermore, builders were encouraged to use energy-saving materials and technology. This was seen at the time to reduce costs as well.
In the 1970’s, the UK was starting to enjoy the benefits of double glazing. With the high energy prices of the day, saving money through decent insulation was proving to be a benefit that many could profit from. The arrival of cheaper materials such as aluminum and uPVC also served to light the touch paper for the double-glazing boom.
By the 1990’s, it was becoming increasingly popular with figures suggesting that the number of homes with double-glazing was 60%, with airtight windows and doors, made from materials such as uPVC, offering better insulation, lower maintenance, and lower costs.
Some of the benefits include security with multi-point locking systems, warmth with multi-chambered frames and Argon gas infills, proven noise reduction, and longevity. Color, shape, and design are all enabling style choices to be factored in when purchasing double-glazing.
It is becoming so common to find double-glazing doors and windows in homes that recent research has shown that 93% contain some form of double-glazing insulation at this time.
Design and the manufacture of double-glazing doors and windows is something to keep an eye on, as the process itself is energy-intensive and therefore has some environmental impact, as it creates high initial emissions. However, the use of double-glazing in homes and commercial outlets provides long-term operational CO2 savings.
There are benefits to be gained from up-to-date manufacturing techniques and high recyclability potential, which, with the inherent cost savings and home energy efficiency, give the industry the chance to say it is an important player in the green revolution.