subject: Don't Be So British – Install Double Glazing [print this page] Don't Be So British Install Double Glazing
Don't Be So British Install Double Glazing
It's absolutely true; I've been actively involved within the UK building sector for the last 25 years and it's widely accepted that the British are reluctant to install double glazing in exchange for their drafty Victorian windows that let all the heat out. The question is, why?
How Double Glazing Evolved in The UK
I remember when double glazing entered the market in the 70's and the initial impression was that it was very expensive and only suitable for new homes or arty types.
Of course as the years went by I started to see more and more double glazing installations - not in period homes - but mostly the installations were taking place in the 1930's style home. Another particular observation was that fact that the vast majority of homes that double glazing was being installed in was non Caucasian. Now this might sound a bit weird but in the last 30 years millions of people have come to live in the UK from all over the world and to put it in a nutshell, these are the double glazing pioneers within the UK that have been installing double glazing in their homes.
It's quite clear that these consumers have no hang-ups and actually see double glazing as a status symbol, a must have if you will. They don't seem to care about the esthetics of the sash or casement windows and are purely interested in the advantages and comforts of double glazing.
Advantages Of Double Glazing
Whilst in the beginning it was a bit more expensive than traditional windows it only took a few years for increased sales and mass production to bring the costs down.
One of the primary sales pitches was based around insulation and heat loss prevention. In recent years as energy costs have gone skywards this is now a very important reason to go for a double glazing installation.
Maintenance or the lack of it was another sales pitch. With traditional timber window you were liable for a paint job every four to five years which of course costs money. Double glazing required no maintenance other than perhaps a wash to get some of the grime off but beyond a little oil and a wash it was maintenance free.
Another serious advantage was the double glazing installation time. Given that double glazing comes actually weatherproofed and as finished units the installation time is rapid without the need for days and days of painting afterwards. Locks are pre installed and the security aspects are far superior to the traditional windows.
Conclusion
All in all much as changed in the last 30 years and nowadays double glazing has easily won its battle against traditional windows. When you look at the advantages of a double glazing installation it's easy to see why.
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