Talking About Green

Saving money is a big motivator for many home improvements, but did you know that renovating your home can help you to save the planet too? There are lots of home improvements that can help to save the planet. For most people, insulation and boiler improvements are at the top of the list, but don’t overlook double glazing!

The benefits of double glazing are numerous – and, in some cases, if you have very old double glazing, you could benefit from replacing your panes with more modern ones.

1. Save on heating: This is the most obvious benefit. Your rooms should stay warm for longer, and as a result your gas bill should be greatly reduced. Gas is a finite resource, so by reducing usage, you’re doing your bit towards preserving the planet.
2. Save on electricity: In the summer, standard panes of glass let heat in, but don’t let it out – turning your home into a greenhouse. Modern double glazing is often coated on one side, reducing the amount of heat let into your home. This means you don’t need to run fans and air conditioning all day, every day, during the summer.
3. Stop the rot: Modern window frames are much more durable than their older counterparts. You can choose from plastic, metal, wood, or composite frames. Wooden frames are often sourced from renewable forests, and the wood is treated so that it won’t decay when it gets wet. This means that you’ll be able to expect a much better life expectancy from your windows. Nottingham may not be a cold, windy town – but it does rain a lot, so this is a big benefit!
4. Keep out the chemicals: This won’t directly save the planet, but it is a nice benefit for you and your family. If you live in a big city, then double glazing could help keep out a lot of the pollutants that come from any nearby main roads. If you don’t want your family to be breathing air full of smoke and petro fumes then double glazing could go a long way towards reducing their exposure.
5. No more mould: When you have double glazing, your home tends to keep a more stable temperature throughout the day. This means that condensation is less of an issue. Less condensation means less mould – which means no need to use astringent chemicals to clean the areas affected by the mould. Anything which can reduce the amount of chemicals used in day-to-day life is a good thing.

Double glazing is an expensive investment, but it’s a good one – for your wallet, and for the environment. Upgrading from single pane windows to double glazing can greatly reduce your carbon footprint, and the savings on energy (and insurance!) can quickly add up. Simple low-cost windows with no frills can pay for themselves within just six years, so if you’re a home owner, and plan to live in the same property for a long time, then it makes sense to invest today.

This article was written by Amy Fowler on behalf of Stormclad Home Improvements. Amy is currently making over her home and is looking into the benefits of double glazing.