Jacket, Sponges and The Science Behind Double Glazing

Installing new windows or doors goes beyond improving a home’s aesthetics; it's an application of both science and design aimed at enhancing a home’s comfort and its efficiency.

In this post, we’ll explore what really helps a home maintains its indoor temperature and noise levels, and how small details from jackets, sponges or other household items work to help make this happen.

Multi-Panes and Low-E Glass

There are three main types of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation. If you’re not familiar with what each types are, don’t worry—we’ll quickly explain—just know that double glazing helps by minimising the effects of all three!

Conduction is heat transfer through contact. The two panes of glass separated by a space create an insulating cavity. It’s like having a layer of a jacket over your home which reduces the heat transfer as the the warmer side of the window does not directly contact the cooler areas, or vice versa.

Convection occurs when the air moves and cycles inside the home. The space between the panes, typically filled with argon gas, acts as a barrier to restrict air movement or minimise heat cycle. Think of “air” like the “lava” in a lava lamp: the hottest lavas move up then sicks down again when it’s cooled or pushed away by more warmer ones.

Radiation is heat transfer via electromagnetic waves. Think of it like the invisible energy of a sun ray. When the sun rays hits a surface, the “energy” part can be absorbed or reflected by the low-emissivity (Low-E) glass as it’s coated with a microscopic layer of metal oxide while allowing the visible light to pass through. This coating on windows or doors helps reduce heat loss in winter and limits solar heat gain in summer, improving overall temperature control.

Argon Gas

Think of argon gas as the denser and thicker version of air. For the sake of example, consider it being water. It’s harder to walk through water than the normal open air, this acts similar for heat and sound.

The space between the double panes is filled with argon gas that has lower thermal conductivity than air. It takes more energy and longer for heat to transfer through the gas, and ultimately the gas space slows conductive heat transfer between the interior and exterior environments of a home.

Additionally, argon contributes to enhancing acoustic damping due to its density (how “thick” it is). As sound transfer occurs through vibrations of molecules, more energy is required to vibrate each particle to the next, often, the sound wave from outside loses its energy before reaching our ears!

Desiccants

Desiccants are moisture-absorbing materials located inside the spacer bars around the space between the glass panes. Acting like “sponges”, these desiccant materials maintain a dry internal environment by adsorbing any residual moisture that may enter over time through small imperfections. It’s ideal to keep moisture buildup low as this can cause internal condensation which reduces visibility and a unit’s efficiency.

Compression Seals

On the edges of each window or doors, draughts or air can seep through and create unwanted temperature changes or noise. Compression seals are critical in ensuring the how air-tight a double-glazed window or doors are. They deform under pressure to form a tight seal when the unit is closed and can provide long-term reliability without degrading, unlike adhesive, brush, or foam-based alternatives. It’s like how a Tupperware with seals can keep soup in better than a normal takeaway container.

uPVC Frames

uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) does not absorb heat well, making it an excellent thermal insulator compared to aluminium. uPVC also does not warp or rot like timber when exposed to moisture, pests, or salt so its maintenance is relatively low.

Reinforced with galvanised steel, uPVC frames can maintain structural integrity better and keep unwanted temperature and noise out as its multi-chamber design also functions as additional insulating layers.

Better Temp Control Means Comfort & More Savings

By lowering all three types of heat transfer, double glazing achieves superior thermal performance, and studies suggest that homes with double glazing experience up to 30% better temperature regulation, translating into lower heating, and air conditioning usage (Sustainability Victoria, 2025).

A typical family household’s electricity bill can cost anywhere between $200 to $350 bi-monthly, so a 30% improvement in temperature control can potentially save you $60 to $90 every two months. That’s electricity savings of up to $360–$540 annually—money you can spend to treat yourself!

For noise reductions, double-glazed systems with proper seals can lower acoustic transmissions significantly, often reducing external noise by up to 45 dB. This is equivalent to lowering rain noise (typically around 40 dB), or more than half the noise reduction in a typical suburb where levels range between 40–60 dB.

Science That Works at Home

From jackets and sponges to lava lamps and lunch containers, the science behind double glazing isn’t just theory, it’s everyday logic put to work in your windows and doors. Each part of the system is designed to reduce heat transfer, minimise noise, and block out the elements, making your home more efficient and comfortable year-round.

Whether you're dealing with summer heat, coastal salt air, or cold and rainy winter winds, double glazing is a smart, science-backed upgrade that protects your home and your power bill for the long run.