Single-chamber double-glazed window - features and scope of application

A plastic window is a complex structure that includes many functional elements. The profile is responsible for the strength and reliability of the window system, and the main “responsibilities” of the double-glazed window include ensuring a sufficient degree of illumination, noise and heat insulation. A correctly selected, high-quality double-glazed window installed in compliance with all requirements allows you to improve the microclimate in the room, without even changing the heating system. Drafts will disappear in the room, cold will not be drawn from the window, heat loss will be reduced, and therefore the cost of maintaining the temperature level necessary for comfortable living will be reduced. There will be no dampness, moisture, or extraneous sounds inside the house.

A double-glazed window occupies 85% of the window area, so most of the performance qualities of the window system depend on it. The consumer has the opportunity to choose a window system taking into account the needs, materials used, fillers, and price category.

Single or double glazing?

Based on the diversity of the market, taking into account the quality/cost ratio, the consumer most often faces the question: which double-glazed window is better to buy: single-chamber or double-chamber?
When faced with the need to choose windows for the first time, buyers often do not know the design features of a double-glazed window, so they cannot adequately assess the differences between different models and have no idea what problems they are best suited for. Let us consider the design of a single-chamber double-glazed window in more detail. It consists of two glasses that form a sealed chamber, which serves as a heat insulator, because, as you know from a school physics course, air does not conduct heat.

A double-glazed window, as its name implies, has two air chambers formed by three glasses. In this case, the chambers can be either the same in width or different.

You can improve the characteristics of a double-glazed window by installing not simple glass, but special energy-saving, sound-proofing, sun protection and by filling the chamber (one or two) with inert gas, which increases the heat-saving characteristics of the double-glazed window. The variety of double-glazed windows offered by window companies is very large; it is very difficult for the consumer to make a choice on their own.

What is a single-chamber double-glazed window?

Buyers often call modern Euro-windows double-glazed windows, however, this is not entirely true! This is only part of the window, which must have several properties at once: transmit light, be transparent and protect from cold and noise. Double-glazed windows got their name not from the number of glasses, but from the number of air chambers between them.

Photo: components of a single-chamber double-glazed window. Double-glazed windows are produced industrially using special equipment.

Manufacturing technology includes:

• Cutting glass on an automatic table;
• Washing glass in an automatic washing machine with final drying;
• Cutting and assembling the spacer frame, filling it with desiccant and applying the first layer of sealant;
• Assembling a double-glazed window in a press;
• Applying a second layer of sealant.

Replacing glass in a double-glazed window is impossible on your own!

The glass in a double-glazed window is firmly connected to each other with a special sealant, so the design does not involve replacing the glass. In the event of a crack or depressurization (fogging from the inside) of a double-glazed window, it is only possible to manufacture a new product.

Photo: replacing a double-glazed window in a plastic window is a simple and inexpensive procedure. A new double-glazed window is made to the required dimensions of the window, the beads are removed and a new “package” is installed. Without dust and dirt!

If desired, if the profile width allows, a single-chamber double-glazed window can be replaced with a double-chamber one!

When ordering a new double-glazed window, it is better to order it with energy-saving and/or multifunctional glass , thereby increasing its heat conservation and sun protection.

Where are single-chamber double-glazed windows installed?

Taking into account the characteristics of single-chamber double-glazed windows, their scope of use has some limitations.
Thus, it is considered inappropriate to install them in regions with an average winter temperature below -5°C. During mass construction of residential buildings, they are also not installed, since their parameters do not comply with GOST, and therefore are not accepted by the state commission. However, taking into account their lower cost, windows with one-dimensional double-glazed windows still find application:

1. Glazing of a balcony or loggia
   . Increasingly, residents of urban high-rise buildings are performing full glazing of the balcony. This is not only beautiful, but also practical, as it allows you to get an additional room protected from the vagaries of the weather. If its subsequent insulation, which involves large financial costs, is not planned, then you can use cheaper and lighter window structures with single-chamber double-glazed windows.
2. Balcony block
   . If the loggia or balcony already has glazing (modern plastic, aluminum, or wood), consumers, when deciding to install a balcony block (window with door), often prefer single-chamber double-glazed windows. In this case, the balcony (loggia) itself plays the role of a second air chamber, and it is very large, which increases its efficiency.
3. Summer house or cottage
   . The cost of modern plastic structures with single-chamber double-glazed windows is comparable to the price of new old-style wooden products (“carpentry”). Therefore, many summer residents, when building or renovating a summer house, give preference to single-chamber PVC windows, since they are significantly superior to their outdated wooden counterparts in performance properties, durability, ease of care and maintenance. It will be possible to use the housing even in late autumn, when the air temperature outside has not yet dropped below zero. As a last resort, you can equip a summer house with one heating device.
4. Glazing of a terrace in a house
   . Many private houses are equipped with unheated summer terraces. If the owner wants to glaze it, then the choice of single-chamber double-glazed windows is justified not only from an aesthetic, but also from an economic point of view.
5. Windows with single-chamber double-glazed windows for the southern regions
   . Also, for the sake of economy, single-chamber window structures are installed in their houses and apartments by residents of the southern regions of Russia, where even in winter the outside air temperature rarely drops below 0°C or -5°C.

Where and when should single-chamber double-glazed windows be installed?

There are many objects where a single-chamber double-glazed window is the only possible and correct solution. Let's try to understand this issue.

When do you need a narrow double-glazed window?

A narrow single-chamber double-glazed window (14mm) may be the only solution for glazing terraces, verandas or balconies in a cold, narrow aluminum profile. Double-glazed windows will be an excellent alternative to glass.

Photo: a wide double-glazed window simply will not fit into such a design

When you need a lightweight glass unit

Another important criterion for choosing a single-chamber double-glazed window for glazing balconies, terraces, and verandas can be its weight. A weak foundation, a worn-out parapet or a slab under a structure may simply not withstand heavy loads.

Photo: the lighter weight of the structure makes it possible to safely glaze such objects. If the structure is warm and panoramic even on a monolithic foundation, the weight of the glass unit still plays a huge role. The heavier the structure (more glass), the more reliable and durable the components should be: fittings, reinforcement or cross-section of aluminum crossbars. The more expensive the listed materials become. The lighter weight of the glass unit reduces the cost of the structure as a whole and increases its service life.

Photo: heavy double-glazed windows for panoramic glazing require special equipment for unloading. Panoramic structures with less weight are easier to transport and install. In some cases, you can do without lifting equipment and there is less risk of breaking a double-glazed window during manipulation.

When do you need a large glass unit?

In terms of size, a single-chamber double-glazed window is the clear leader: the maximum size is 3x6 meters. A double-glazed window can be 1.5-2 times larger in area than its 2-chamber “brother”.

Photo: the larger the size of the double-glazed window, the less likely there is to make it double-chambered. The risks of possible bending of glass under the influence of wind or its own weight in a single-chamber double-glazed window are less. The lightness of the glass unit is ensured by the smaller number of glasses and only 1 spacer frame. To prevent the glass from sticking together and bursting at the point of contact, it is recommended to use thicker (strong) glass from 6-8 mm and a wider (strong) spacer frame.

When do you need good sound insulation?

The level of sound insulation strongly depends on the mass (weight) of the glass in the double-glazed window. A single-chamber double-glazed window with a weight equal to a standard two-chamber one (due to thicker glass) has higher sound insulation. This happens because in a conventional 2-chamber double-glazed window made of 4mm glass, narrow and equal-width spacers enhance the resonance of low-frequency noise (traffic noise), and the third glass enhances the high-frequency resonance.

Of course, when using glass and frames of different thicknesses in a 2-chamber double-glazed unit, the balance shifts in favor of two air chambers. With the right formula, a single-chamber double-glazed window can have high sound insulation! For example, when using the Stratophone acoustic triplex from AGC* .

Comparison of single-chamber and double-chamber double-glazed windows, using the example of AGC *Values ​​of the reduced heat transfer resistance of a double-glazed window (Ro, m2°C/W) are indicated for the conditions of Moscow.

A single-chamber double-glazed window with the correct formula and configuration can be energy efficient.

Advantages of single-chamber double-glazed windows

In addition to the points described above when installing single-chamber double-glazed windows is necessary, they have another undeniable advantage - price. The cost of double-glazed windows is more attractive, they are 50% cheaper than double-glazed windows. A single-chamber double-glazed window is 150-200 rubles cheaper than a two-chamber one. per sq. m depending on the type of glass. Why is there such a difference? Everything is very simple - it has 1 sheet of glass and 1 less spacer frame than a two-chamber one.

Disadvantages of single-chamber double-glazed windows

• The level of heat retention is insufficient for regions with frosty winters and for energy-efficient housing construction.
• High heating bills if energy efficient glass is not used.
• Condensation may occur if you do not use energy-saving glass and a warm (PVC or combined material) spacer frame.
• In a single-chamber double-glazed window, only one energy-efficient glass can be used, while in a double-glazed window there can be two.

Pros and cons of single-chamber double-glazed windows

One of the main advantages of a single-chamber double-glazed window is its light weight, due to which it places less load on the frame, sashes and fittings, thereby extending its service life.
In addition, given the simplicity of the design and less materials spent on its manufacture, it has a lower cost. The main disadvantages include a lower level of sound and heat insulation than that of two-chamber models. In some regions of our country, with a particularly harsh climate, the characteristics of a single-chamber double-glazed window may not be enough to reliably protect the house from the penetration of external cold.

But don’t rush and immediately discount single-chamber models. Even in difficult Russian conditions, they are in demand thanks to the constant development of energy-saving technologies. Single-chamber energy-saving double-glazed windows made using glass with low-emission coating save 25% more heat than double-chamber double-glazed windows with plain glass. The use of inert gas argon as a chamber filler instead of air increases their characteristics by another 15% and makes their use justified even in cold regions of Russia.

Advantages of single-chamber double-glazed windows for windows

Perhaps the most striking example of single-chamber double-glazed windows are old wooden windows that were installed in any residential or office space. Of course, modern designs are radically different from their predecessors in both workmanship and performance characteristics. Compared to a conventional wooden window, a single-chamber double-glazed window reduces heat loss by almost half and ideally reduces the noise level in the room.

If we compare a single-chamber double-glazed window with a similar two- and three-chamber one, then it also has a number of advantages:

The light weight of the structure, this advantage allows you to reduce the weight of the sash, which leads to a reduction in the load of the sash on the fittings, thereby ensuring the durability of the fittings.

Inexpensive window price. Using, for example, wooden windows with single-chamber double-glazed windows allows you to reduce the cost of the entire window, while maintaining the heat and sound insulation characteristics of window products.

Large distance between glasses. Increasing the distance between the glasses leads to an increase in the thermal insulation coefficient, thereby your house or apartment retains more heat, which leads to savings in money spent on heating in the winter, also with a large distance between the glasses

In addition, single-chamber double-glazed windows are distinguished by excellent sound insulation, elegant appearance, and excellent wind and frost resistance. Another advantage is the fairly low prices for single-chamber double-glazed windows.

Glass thickness

Another important characteristic of a double-glazed window that affects its properties is the thickness of the glass.
If you install higher quality glass in a single-chamber double-glazed window, its parameters may turn out to be more effective than a double-chamber one. Regular glass is 4 mm thick. If you use glass whose thickness is 6 mm, then the design parameters will be higher. The next factor that you should pay attention to is the thickness of the single-chamber glass unit, which, depending on the width of the spacer frame, varies between 16-46 mm. The standard glass thickness followed by most window companies is 24 mm. The thermal insulation properties of the window depend on it, but for sound insulation it is not so important.

By the way, its weight also depends on the thickness of the glass and the structure itself. For example, the weight of a 24 mm single-chamber double-glazed window with an area of ​​1 m2 is about 25 kg. This should also be taken into account when choosing, because in some cases, excessive load on the window structure can cause its deformation.

Filling glass chambers

Filling the space between the glass panes of a double-glazed window affects the thermal insulation coefficient. To increase this parameter, not air is used, but an inert gas with a higher density, which reduces heat transfer and, therefore, prevents heat loss. Typically, argon or krypton are chosen for these purposes, which improve not only the heat-insulating but also the sound-insulating properties of the system.

There is also a technology for the production of vacuum double-glazed windows, since one of the characteristics of vacuum is its zero thermal conductivity. However, such products have a high cost, which is why they are not yet widely used.

Taking these factors into account, the consumer can independently choose the best option for window construction, in particular double-glazed windows. However, the opinion of a professional is always preferable. An expert specialist will be able to take into account all the features of your home, the microclimate inside the premises and the climatic conditions outside the walls of the house and will select the best window system for you.

How to check the number of cameras?

Polished glass of the M0-M1 grade, which has increased transparency, is installed in PVC windows.
It is very difficult for a non-professional to determine the number of cameras in a double-glazed window. Unscrupulous contractors very often take advantage of this by installing single-chamber products instead of double-glazed windows. How to avoid such a situation and eliminate the risk that an unfortunate misunderstanding occurred at production, as a result of which cheaper single-pane windows were mistakenly delivered to you? An ordinary match (candle, lighter) will help you count the number of glasses, and, therefore, cameras. Light it, bring it to the glass and count the number of reflected lights: two means the double-glazed window is single-chamber, three means double-chamber.