Glass & Glazing | Pergola Design

What’s The Difference Between Glass and Window Glazing?

If you’ve been researching glass windows for your home or business, you’ll often come across the term ‘window glazing’. You then may read about single glazing, double glazing, even triple glazing. For a novice, this terminology might sound a little confusing. What happened to the standard glass window?

The word glazing refers to the glass that is installed in the window frame (the term is also used to describe the work done by a glazier). One sheet of glass is a single glazed window, two glass panels create a double glazed window and so on.

There is a misconception that glazing infers a special coating is added to the glass – this is not true.

The type of glazing you choose for your home will depend on:

Where you live
The design of your home
Building materials
Size of your windows
How energy efficient you want your home to be

Of late, the trend has moved towards double glazed windows. Whether it’s to combat rising energy costs, increased noise pollution or to make indoor living more comfortable, double glazing is now a common feature in homes. So, what’s the best long-term option for your property?

Single Glazing Vs Double Glazing

As mentioned above, double glazing is becoming a standard feature in homes. What was once considered too expensive or unnecessary is now seen as a cost-saving sustainable solution.

Single Glazing

Many Perth homes currently feature single glazed windows. This means you’ve got one pane of glass that separates the inside and outside. Typically, a single glazed window is 4 to 6 mm thick – that doesn’t provide very good insulation from the heat or cold. Single pane windows are more susceptible to condensation and will not effectively reduce outside noise levels.

Double Glazing

A home featuring double glazed windows is 20 to 30 times more energy efficient than a home with single glazed windows. As the cost of power continues to rise, it makes sense to look at investing in long-term solutions. But saving on energy costs is just one benefit of double glazing. Overall, you will enjoy:

Stable temperatures
Less disturbance from outside noise
Reduced condensation
More protection from intruders
Less need for heating and air conditioning

How do double glazed windows work?

Double glazing involves two pieces of glass separated by a gap which can vary in size. Depending on your supplier, the gap between the panes of glass may be vacuum sealed or filled with an insulating gas.

The double panes work effectively for all seasons – in the colder months, your double glazed windows will stop heat escaping while in the summer months they will keep the heat out.

If you have single glazed windows, you will notice they feel cold in winter from the inside or can even form a layer of condensation. With double glazed windows, the interior panel remains at room temperature and no condensation will occur.

The double panels also silence outside noise. Imagine eliminating the constant bounce of a basketball or a dog barking. Of course, the thicker the glass panels the more outside noise you can block out.

What windows can be double glazed?

If you do choose double window glazing, you’ll be happy to know that nearly any type of window can be double glazed.

Fixed windows
Awning windows
Sliding windows
Casement windows

Even interior bi-fold doors or French doors can be double glazed to reduce noise from room to room.

So, if you’re building or renovating and looking for ways to reduce your energy bills – consider the various types of window glazing. Like most energy-saving products, the initial investment will pay itself back over time.

To find out more about your window glazing options, talk to the experts at Action Glass and Aluminium – Western Australia’s biggest independently owned glass company. Contact the team at Action Glass and Aluminium today.

What is a balcony glazing system?

Frameless retractable balcony glazing systems have been developed to create a specific space protected form wind, rain, noise and other disturbing elements while leaving the view outside unobstructed.

Balcony glazing consists of two horizontal aluminum profiles mounted on the ceiling, balustrade, or floor structures of the balcony. Frameless tempered glass panes are fastened to the profiles. These 6, 8, 10, or 12 mm thick panes are extremely resistant but very easy to slide and fold.

Retractable glass panes

Retractable glass means that our frameless retractable glass panes can be fully opened. They slide easily and fold against the wall.
The first glass pane opens easily just lifting the handle. Once the first has been opened, it’s easy to slide the other panes and fold them against the wall as well.

All panes can be opened, or some can be left unopened for partial protection. Both inner and outer surfaces of the sliding and folding Balcony glazing panes are easy to clean safely from inside without a need to reach out from the balcony.

The Galata Pergola systems are extremely resistant to wind and impacts. Galata PErgola was the first company in Europe to get the CE-marking for its balcony glass systems.

The profiles, used in Glass Balcony Systems, have been specially designed for this system. The Case Profile, used in Glass Balcony Covering Systems, has been designed as 2-channelled, enabling conveyance of two bearings in each pillar. Glass Balcony System can be mounted with a particular of top-conveyance and bottom-conveyance when deemed necessary.

There are 8 bearings in each wing. If the system is mounted from the top, 4 bearings at the top assume conveyance, and 4 bearings at the bottom assume guidance; if the system is mounted from the bottom, 4 bearings at the bottom assume conveyance and 4 bearings at the top assume guidance.

Types of balcony glazing systems

Our Lumon balcony glass systems can be customized for almost any balcony, and there are several options for you to choose from. Most common applications are:

Railing-to-soffit

Elegant aluminum profiles are mounted onto the soffit and the top of balcony railing. Toughened glass panes measuring 6, 8, or 10mm thick are fastened to small glazing beads top and bottom. These panes can withstand extremely strong winds, yet they are lightweight and easy to slide and fold.

Floor-to-soffit

Extending the glass system from floor to ceiling inside the railing. Aluminum profiles are mounted onto the floor and the soffit. Toughened glass panes measuring 8, 10, or 12mm thick are fastened to small glazing beads top and bottom. Yet they remain lightweight and easy to fold.

Adding living comfort

We believe that a balcony is essentially a separate living space, and that this is a fundamental part of its appeal. We would not try to replicate the same conditions as the interior and simply turn it into an additional room – the balcony will always have its own rules and characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Once we understand this, the possibilities are endless; the balcony becomes a new opportunity, and its potential is only limited by the boundaries of our imagination and our desire to explore new everyday opportunities.

A balcony always in use, 7 days a week, 365 days a year; a comfortable and functional space for relaxation and enjoyment, either alone or in company, a place to unwind and seek inspiration.

A place to go without the need to abandon your home comforts. Experience the sensation of being outside, but with all the security and comfort of feeling totally at home, enjoying the light and warmth and sitting back on those cold winter days in cozy surroundings.

Project Galery

The balcony can become an area where you have control over the four seasons, where spring arrives earlier and winter much later. Create a special area in your home which you can enjoy whenever you wish. Who actually said that we need to get out of our comfort zone? And, of course, because the glass in our balcony enclosures is fully retractable, you can slide and fold the glass open at any time for fresh air and sunshine.