The letters uPVC is an acronym for unplasticized polyvinyl chloride. PVC pipes are made up of plasticized polyvinyl chloride. Unplasticized is also referred to as rigid PVC. In construction, uPVC is a material used instead of wood sometimes. It requires less maintenance than wood does. UPVC windows are windows with surrounding uPVC.

When talking about windows uPVC just refers to double glazed windows. This is because the frame is often made out of uPVC. Double glazed windows, also called insulating glass units, or IGUs, are used for insulation, They help protect against temperature and sound.

Double glazed windows are windows that are made out of two panes of glass. These two panes of glass are separated by a space. This space can be filled with gas or vacuum, which is what provides the insulation. Double glazed windows provide a very good visibility quality for the amount of insulation that give.

The gap in the windows helps to keep out sound and temperature changes. When vacuum is used in the space, it also helps to protect the house. Sounds don’t move through vacuums, which means that noise doesn’t get conducted into the house as much. Also vacuum similarly protects against heat and cold going through the window. It works in the same way that thermoses with a vacuum can keep a drink hot or cold.

Although a vacuum is the best insulator, it is rarely used in uPVC windows. In order to contain a vacuum the structure of the window panes itself must be very strong. Sometimes a partial vacuum is used. That means they suck out some of the air, but not all of it. Usually a different gas is used. These other gases conduct heat more slowly than air does, so that is how they provide insulation. The gases commonly used are argon, krypton, and xenon.

These gasses are chosen because none of them are harmful. They are all stable, and have no smell or color. That means they won’t distort the view through the window. Krypton is used for the high performance windows, or those that have a small gap between the two panes. Argon is used for most regular uPVC windows. Xenon isn’t normally used at all, because it is very expensive.

Double paned or uPVC windows are most useful in places where the temperature outside is not the same as the temperature inside. It doesn’t matter if you are trying to keep cold in or out, they work both ways. Double paned windows are one way to help with the energy efficiency of houses. Now that energy costs are increasing, you even sometimes come across triple paned windows, which insulate even better.

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in double glazing. If you want further information about UPVC windows or are looking for a reputable double glazing company please visit here.