One of the most advertised features of double and triple glazed windows and doors is the gas that fills the space between the glass panes. But what exactly is, how it works and why is it important? Well not a lot of people know the answers to these questions, so in this article, we thought it would be nice to shed some light on the subject and explain all the benefits of Argon, the gas that can be found inside of our windows.
Argon is a non-toxic gas, odourless and clean, it’s inexpensive and it has a thermal conductivity of 67%. It will not corrode your windows like Oxygen does because its viscosity allows less convection than ordinary air. Argon is pumped inside the insulated glass panes through a small hole. Which means the air is then displaced from in between the panes through another hole. You can tell if a window is filled with gas if you see two holes along the spacer.
The most significant advantage of Argon is that it works as insulator for your windows. And this means that: your windows won’t lose heat and won’t let the cold air get into your house. Argon is one of the technologies used to add energy efficiency to your windows, increasing their R-value. It also increases their sound proofing ability and reduces the possibility of condensation and frost. What’s more, by filling your windows with Argon, you can even block the UV rays.
Even if the gas leaks about 1% per year, these windows will be effective for nearly 20 years and they will perform great even in cases of depressurisation. However is important that the spacer has no breaches. If condensation or fog form inside the window panes, this is a clear indicator that the gas escaped. No need to worry, the gas is not a health threat, but you do need to call a window manufacturer to confirm that the gas has actually escaped. This must be done using specialised equipment.
All Rationel’s windows and doors are double glazed and filled with Argon, so you can rest assured that all energy efficiency standards are met when you install our products in your home.
