When to upgrade your windows: Double or triple glazing? And how to choose a fitter in Yorkshire

A recent Government survey found that Yorkshire and the Humber region were the worst performers when it comes to home insulation, with just 35 per cent of homes falling into the highest Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of bands A, B and C.

This data, from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, sits side-by-side with analysis from the Office for National Statistics, which shows that fewer than 50 per cent of newer houses in our region are in the top three EPC ratings bands.

The situation compares unfavourably with London and the South-East, proving a clear north/south divide when it comes to thermal efficiency.

And while chancellor Jeremy Hunt postponed a rise in the annual energy price cap in the last budget, this was only until June this year, when prices are set to soar again.

All of this means that while summer is just around the corner, homeowners thinking about home renovations would do worse than have a look at the energy efficiency of their home, particularly via their doors and windows.

The latest in window and door technology

Energy bills are tied up with how well (or badly) a house is insulated. If less heat is able to escape via the walls and roof, less energy is required to keep it at temperature. Conversely, a poorly insulated house will leak heat from the windows and doors, to the extent that you might as well burn a few fivers to keep warm!

While Yorkshire and Humber still have a lot of older housing stock that may well contain poor insulation, it must be said that nationally, the picture is much better than it was 20 years ago, with far more houses better heated than ever before.

Technology to improve thermal efficiency in windows and doors has helped, along with stringent Government regulations governing EPC performance.

Today’s windows and door suppliers offer very high-quality products and services. Take for example Sheffield-based Global Windows, in business for 25 years and supplying the very latest in window and door technology.

For example, the uPVC double glazed units Global Windows supply and install are highly energy efficient, making them a great choice for homeowners across Yorkshire and Humber. They have a low U-value, which is a way of measuring how easily heat gets through a window. The lower the U-value, the more thermally efficient the window is, and those supplied by Global Windows more than meet the criteria.

And if you choose tripled-glazed windows, you’ll get an even warmer home!

Another reason why uPVC boasts energy efficiency is that it is integrated with fully enclosed chambers. The benefit of these multi-chamber uPVC profiles is that they do not allow the heat to escape the room and cold air to seep inside.

Wide range of styles

In the past, double glazed windows tended to look all the same. Not now. There are a variety of styles that suit properties ranging from the ultra-modern to the traditional country cottages. Global Windows even supply a range called the Residence Collection – timber-effect windows that are suitable for listed buildings or properties in conservation areas.

It’s important to pick a window style that complements and enhances your home – but that doesn’t mean you have to stick with the same style. The Global Windows range includes:

– Casement windows – Usually opening from the side like a door, casement windows work well with any kind of home.

– Flush sash windows – As the name suggests, these sit ‘flush’ against the frame to provide a neat, flat exterior appearance, like traditional timber window frames.

– Sliding sash windows – This classic Georgian style window features moving panels that vertically slide open and shut.

– Tilt & turn windows – These tilt from the top or bottom for secure ventilation and fully open inwards from the side.

– Bay & bow windows – Fashionable in Victorian times, bay and bow windows are multi-panelled and project outward beyond the external wall of the property.

Whatever style of window you choose, there is no doubt that thanks to modern technology, you will save money. When you consider that almost 20 per cent of energy escapes through windows, it’s more important than ever to be energy efficient and cut costs wherever you can.

To find out more about Global Windows visit www.global-windows.co.uk or call 0114 288 9595.