According to the Bureau of Meteorology figures for Toowoomba Airport which is situated at an altitude of 641 metres above sea level, the average temperature at night in July is 6.7°C. However, freezing temperatures occur on less than one night per year. Nevertheless, the presence of cold nights results in the necessity of using heaters for a long period of time, and single glazing allows the escape of a significant part of heat.
People who seek information about “double glazed windows Toowoomba” have moved to the area from the coast where they expected no serious winters at all.
Climate for Two Seasons
The location of Toowoomba on the Great Dividing Range ensures that the climate of the place is different from the climate in Brisbane. Winter provides residents of the city with cold nights and winds and frost during particularly cold mornings. However, the summer season is still hot enough.
The majority of old buildings that were constructed in the city were built without taking care of insulation and used thin single glazing.
Where Does the Cost of Heating Vanish?
The glass loses heat quicker than the insulated wall. Therefore, large living room windows destroy the effect of the heater within hours.
The existence of cold glass causes another problem that people usually confuse with draught. As a result of cooling of the air, which touches the glass, it begins to fall down.
Double glazing creates an insulation barrier between heated and cold air. The inner surface of the glass remains warm due to this.
U-Values, Gas Fills & Warm Edges
Keeping warmth in is a no-brainer, and the U-value needs to be top of the list. The lower it is, the less heat is going to make a break for it through that window, frame and all.
Several things can give you a better U-value:
- Argon gas between the panes beats regular air hands-down when it comes to keeping warm air in.
- Low-E coatings are like a magic mirror that bounces that lovely warmth back into the room.
- Warm-edge spacers stop the cold sneaking in around the edges of the glass.
- Insulating frames, think uPVC or thermally broken aluminium, help stop the frame from acting like a cold bridge and siphoning off all that lovely heat.
Frames are more important than people give them credit for. A standard aluminium frame is like a heat-sucking sponge; even if the glass is top-notch it’ll still manage to suck heat right on out.
Condensation, Mould & Rotting Sills
Winter mornings usually come with a lovely surprise, windows streaming with water. Condensation’s a real problem when warm, damp air from inside meets the cold glass, and single glazing just makes it a whole lot worse.
Moisture does damage, real, lasting damage. Timber sills rot, paint starts to peel, and black mould starts to spread all over your frames and curtains. Bedrooms are usually the worst hit because people do breathe out a lot of moisture while they’re sleeping.
A warmer inner pane really cuts down on condensation, but don’t forget ventilation is still pretty important too. Make sure those kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are venting outside and not just into the roof space.
Don’t Forget About Summer
Toowoomba summers can get pretty hot; we average over 36 days a year at 30°C or better, according to the BOM. Glass that’s only designed for winter can let in too much heat in the afternoons in January.
Low-E coatings are a two-for-one deal; they reflect back that lovely warmth in winter and also cut down on heat coming in in the summer. And if you’ve got west-facing windows, a bit of external shading will really help keep that sun off the glass for good.
Playing Nicely With The Sun
Winter sun’s a free heater when the glass is pointing in the right direction. North-facing windows get the low winter sun streaming in and warm up living areas no problem. You want glass that’s still letting in plenty of that nice heat.
South-facing windows get none of the winter sun and let in heat all day; they’re the ones that really need the best insulating glass you can get. West-facing windows are a bit of a balancing act; you need glass that’ll still let in a bit of winter warmth but also keep the harsh summer sun out.
Stage By Stage
Replacing all the windows at once is just about the most expensive thing you’ll ever do for your home, so do it in stages. That way you’ll be getting the comfort boost you want, but you won’t be out too much cash.
The living areas you use every evening get the priority, then the coldest bedrooms. If you’ve got rooms with really big windows, those’ll probably show the biggest improvement for the smallest amount of cash. Keeping an eye on the before and after temperatures in each room will give you a good idea where to go next.
Getting Glass & Simple Upgrades To Work Together
Windows are only as good as the rest of your setup. For a start, throw some heavy lined curtains with closed pelmets in the mix; that’ll add an extra layer of insulation. And while you’re at it, why not sort out that ceiling insulation so you’re not losing all that lovely warmth straight up.
Just remember to start with those “double glazed windows Toowoomba” by checking the U-value, and then go for the south-facing living areas and the coldest bedrooms first. You’ll feel the difference in no time.
