Many of our customers ask us why their double pane windows have gas in between the glass panes. The simple and most common reason is that the gas acts as insulation for the window. In this blog post, we’re expanding on that answer and explaining the science behind why this gas is so important.
When it comes to maintaining temperatures within your home, it’s important to consider all of the different entry and exit points where outdoor temperatures can make their way indoors and vice versa, and what can be done to help control for this. Oftentimes, insulation is the answer, and your windows are no exception. When gas is used in between the glass panes in windows, it provides an extra layer of insulation to help control the transfer of temperatures through the glass.
Many people assume that all of the gas used between glass window panes is the same, but that’s not true. Gas has a density level, and different types of gas have different density levels. The denser the gas is, the harder it will be for the heat or cold to transfer through it.
Here at Omaha Door & Window, the two primary gases that we use for the space in between window panes are Argon and Krypton.
Argon
Argon is a non-toxic, dense type of gas that’s very commonly used in between the glass in windows. When you picture air passing through a layer of Argon gas, think of it as if you are swimming through a pool filled with syrup instead of water. You will eventually get to the other side, but it will take much longer, and the same will be true of the temperatures trying to transfer through the Argon gas. Ultimately, the Argon gas within a double pane window unit will help slow and decrease the transfer of temperatures, which therefore increases your window’s energy efficiency.
Krypton
Slightly denser than Argon, Krypton is another great option for filling the space between window panes. Because it’s denser, it gives you even more energy efficiency than you would have with Argon. Higher energy efficiency means lower energy bills and greater comfort levels throughout all seasons.
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It is to bad there is not a process by which a window that has lost the original gas could be evacuated then refilled either with argo or krypton gas.
I believe one could drill into the space between the panes and vacuum as in a heat pump repair when a compressor is replaced .It would be necessary to install a rubber plug so that the atmosphere
would not be sucked right back in after vacuuming and while/after a
refill with Argon or Krypton gas . There are ways by which this could
be effected easily . There are ways whereby most every thing can be
repaired .
ODW doesn’t normally recommend repairing sealed glass units. When the seal breaks between the glass, it will first leak out the Argon gas and then let moisture in. You would have to get the moisture out and clean the inside of the glass from the moisture damage. Even if you we successful in cleaning the glass and putting the gas back in, you have not solved the original problem of the broken seal on the glass. It would be almost impossible to fix the seal leak. It is normally more cost effective to replace the glass plus you will get a glass factory warranty on the new glass. Any other repair is just a temporary solution.
Do you charge extra to put in the gas
When you get a new window glass, the factory that makes the insulated glass will put in the argon gas and then seals the unit. It does cost a little more for the gas but will pay off in energy savings. Most city’s now days require argon gas to meet the newer energy requirement for new windows so it’s almost a standard requirement and not that much more. If you are talking about repairing insulated glass that the gas has leaked out, there is no cost effective way to put the gas back in and doesn’t makes any sense if the insulated glass has a leak. We don’t recommend fixing insulated glass, it’s better to buy a new piece with a warranty.
Thank you , Jim . Your comments were very good for the general
case . I had been envisioning a wooden window frame made from
mahogany that I had . Most probably this wood should not have been
used for the frame in the first place by a builder . It would seem that
an aluminum frame should have been used originally .This was on a renovation and then someone had used a pressure washer with
water . This compromised the integrity of the wood ; probably this
would be doomed to fail again if I could even ensure a proper seal .
No, never aluminum! I just removed old replacement aluminums from 1970 and had new wooden vintage-style with argon, made to match the original 1940 windows.
They’re warm and lovely, unlike the wretched aluminums that frosted over every winter in spite of my many efforts to seal them.
Understanding the science behind double pane windows is essential, and this blog post does an excellent job of explaining why gas is used in between the glass panes. It breaks down the thermal properties and insulation benefits provided by the gas fill, making it easier to grasp the advantages of double pane windows. Thanks, Omaha Door & Window, for sharing this informative piece!