Kashmir winters
Double Glazing Explained for Kashmir Homes
In short
Double glazing is a sealed unit of two glass panes with a gap between them. The inside pane stays warmer than single glass, so rooms feel less chilly near the window and less water forms on the glass. For rooms you heat in a Kashmir winter, it is the usual choice.
“Double glazing” comes up in every quotation, but few people are told what it actually is. Here it is in plain words.
What it is
A double-glazed unit (DGU) is two panes of glass with a gap between them. A spacer bar runs around the edge to hold the panes apart, and the whole edge is sealed so the gap stays dry. The unit goes into the window as one piece, held in by a glazing bead and sealed with gaskets.
Why it helps in winter
With single glass, the pane inside your room is almost as cold as the air outside. Sit near it in Chillai Kalan and you feel the chill.
With double glazing, the gap between the panes slows the heat moving out. The inside pane stays much closer to room temperature. That gives you three things:
- The room feels warmer near the window.
- Less water forms on the glass (see why windows run with water).
- The heat from your bukhari or heater stays in the room longer.
Other glass you may need
| Glass | What it does | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Double glazed (DGU) | Warmer inside pane | Bedrooms, living rooms, any heated room |
| Single glass | Simplest, lowest cost | Stores, unheated spaces |
| Laminated | Layers bonded with an interlayer; holds together if broken; helps with noise | Rooms facing a busy road, low glass, doors |
| Frosted / privacy | Light in, view out | Bathrooms, street-facing rooms |
These can be combined. A double-glazed unit can have a laminated or frosted pane.
What to check in a quote
- That the quote says double glazed, and for which windows
- The glass build-up (the thickness of each pane and the gap)
- Whether frosted or laminated glass is included where you need it
- That the frame and bead are designed for the unit thickness
Read next: what is inside a uPVC window.
Questions people ask
What does DGU mean?
Double Glazed Unit, two panes of glass held apart by a spacer and sealed around the edge, fitted into the window as one piece.
Is double glazing worth it in Kashmir?
For heated rooms, yes. The inside pane stays warmer than single glass, which makes the room more comfortable near the window and reduces condensation.
Can I use double glazing in old windows?
Usually not in old wooden or aluminium frames; the glass unit is thicker and needs a frame and bead designed for it. New uPVC frames are made to take it.
