Double Pane Window - The Popular Choice

The most popular window replacement choice of today is the double pane window. These double pane windows (also known as dual paned or double glazed) insulate much more than a single windowpane whilst being a lot more affordable than the triple paned type.

Dual windowpanes (or lights / lites as they are also referred to) of glass that make up the unit are held apart by what is known as a spacer. This goes all the way around the perimeter edge on the inside and is made of either aluminum or different types of steel like stainless, coated, or galvanized.

The spacer also contains an absorbent substance called a desiccant, which acts to prevent moisture getting inside of the unit which would otherwise cause fogging.

Benefits Of Insulation

Also called insulating glass (IG) windows, windows with two or more panes of glass have a layer of air between them. Or sometimes this can be an exotic fill gas like argon or the more expensive krypton trapped between the two window panes. This insulating layer can halve the heat loss suffered by a single pane window, as long as the seals are intact.

A quality dual paned window can therefore greatly reduce energy requirements and subsequent heating bills. But if you pick a less than reliable choice of manufacturer or installer then seals can be easily damaged, and the whole window will have to be replaced.

The technology used for these seals has improved greatly since windows with double panes of glass first appeared on the market for homeowners. There used to be a lot of problems with these, but much less so now. This is partly due to a tightening of the warranties offered as a result of public outcry.

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Author Notes:

Anthony Lee contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.replacement-windows-n-shutters.com. Find everything you need to know about replacement windows, shutters, tinting, basement, fiberglass windows and more.