Double glazed windows are a great investment for your property, not just for the lifetime value but for the lifestyle improvements they bring to your home. At a premier double glazing provider in Australia, we get many questions and enquiries from customers about certain concerns they have, which end up mostly being myths or misconceptions about double glazed windows. So today, we thought we’d go through a few myths we often hear or are asked about from customers to set the story straight and give you peace of mind when considering investing in double glazed windows for your home.
Myth 1: You need council permission to get double glazed windows
When you own a home, having the freedom to make changes and improvements is amazing but your local council can also sometimes get in the way of things with legalities and permits necessary, etc. It’s a common concern from customers, especially because double glazed windows are such an investment, they don’t want to get in a situation where the local council requests removal of the new windows or fines them for installing new windows on their own property.
Luckily for you, most councils consider installing new windows, adding secondary glazing to existing windows and replacing double glazed windows as a ‘repair’. This means that you don’t need a building permit or any legal permission from the council to get double glazed windows on your property. It makes renovation a lot easier as you can install fresh double glazed windows, paint them and enjoy them in your home without having to consult with your local council. The only reason why you might need a permit is if you’d like to change the size or style of your windows when installing new double glazed windows, as that is a structural change that would affect the foundations of the building from what it previously was. If this is the case, then you’ll need to go through the appropriate process with your local council for a permit and approval on what you’d like to change.
Myth 2: Secondary Glazing and Double Glazed Windows are the same.
Although the concept may be similar, secondary glazing involves adding an additional window pane (or sometimes two) to an existing single window, while double glazing involves installing a new window with two glass panes separated by space. They are different in that secondary glazing doesn’t require you to install an entirely new unit so many homeowners like this option as it’s usually cheaper too. However, double glazed windows are recommended over secondary glazing as double glazed windows usually require less maintenance over time, secondary glazing can still be prone to more noise, condensation during winters and are less energy-efficient despite the insulation they provide.
Myth 3: uPVC Double Glazed Windows Aren’t Environmentally Friendly
PVC has been a named culprit of one of the materials that have an environmental impact when it comes to waste and carbon dioxide emissions but in the context of double glazed windows, we typically use uPVC and this material is actually not quite as it’s perceived. uPVC is actually a more durable form of PVC that doesn’t contain phthalates or BPA (the bad stuff that gave PVC a bad name due to its toxicity) so it is safe for the environment and for use in double glazed windows and doors. uPVC also doesn’t have the same issues as PVC in that it will not stain over time and has a less porous surface that requires a lot less maintenance. Even if our double glazed windows were to use PVC instead of uPVC, the CSIRO (an Australian research body) and consequent report updates have stated that this material has just as much impact on the environment as other alternatives.
uPVC double glazed windows are made to last for decades and the fact that they last so long, and that uPVC double glazed windows can be recycled, means that it has a longer lifespan than single-pane windows. The fact that it reduces your need to use more energy to heat or cool your home due to the increased insulation is another reason why it’s actually great for environmentally-friendly efforts.
Those were 3 of the most common misconceptions we tend to hear from customers or those looking into investing in double glazed windows for their home. If double glazing sounds like a great investment to you, feel free to reach out and get a quote from us today
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