The rising cost of electricity is a matter of grave concern for the entire world today. The use of heaters during the winters and air-conditioners during the summers has massively contributed to this predicament. Governments and the masses akin are doing everything in their power to keep the energy bills low – carrying out energy-efficiency awareness campaigns, limiting the use of appliances, and opting for energy-efficient devices. But, amidst the bustle of all these labours, few pay heed to the subtle culprit sitting right in front of their noses – doors and windows.
Yes, a significant amount of energy is lost through these household and commercial fixtures. Even when closed tightly, standard doors and windows contain sufficient gaps and holes to allow the loss of energy. This loss of energy translates itself into exorbitant energy bills one receives at the end of each month. But, thankfully not all hope is lost. A fenestration solution has been developed that is creating a revolution by introducing the stylish way to save money – uPVC doors and windows.
uPVC Doors and Windows: An Environment-Friendly Alternative
uPVC doors and windows have become a popular choice amongst designers who are making a conscious effort towards incorporating eco-friendly elements in their projects. uPVC is a thermoplastic material, recycled from melted down factory waste and off-cuts. It can be later repurposed into uPVC doors and windows without losing any of its strength or insulating capacity. Apart from being 100% recyclable, they are also designed to be BPA and phthalate-free. Since they do not require any extra coat of paint, they are completely lead-free too. In fact, uPVC is a completely safe and non-toxic material that is commonly used in medical-grade equipment such as dental gears.
Why Use uPVC for Doors and Windows?
Made from a polymer called polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sans plasticisers, unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) has become popular in the fenestration industry as the versatile innovation of the modern world. While polyvinyl chloride became a sensational hit due to its remarkable uses in everyday essentials such as clothes and cable insulation, uPVC took precedence in the door and window market. uPVC is a highly durable, robust and flexible material and is capable of withstanding harsh climatic changes- be it heat, cold, wind, rain, sleet or snow. It is equipped with chemical, salt water, moisture, infestation, termite, impact and UV-resistant features to maintain the longevity of your uPVC doors and windows.
Since uPVC is a poor conductor of heat, it neither retains nor does it transfer heat indoors and thus maintains an ideal internal temperature. Moreover, uPVC windows come equipped with fusion welded-joints and silicone sealant to create airtight window profiles and ensure a high green rating. It also possesses exceptional thermal, sound and wind insulation properties, making it the most sought after material for the construction of seamless door and window frames. uPVC doors and windows even offer outstanding security measures with their anti-crowbar features, galvanised steel reinforcements and flame-retardant properties to prevent any unfortunate incidents in the event of a fire.
Saving Money on Energy Bills in Style
uPVC doors and windows serve major aesthetic goals without compromising on functionality. AIS Windows offers uPVC doors and windows in a variety of stylish designs and colours to match the vibe of every space. If you can’t find the perfect match from our expansive catalogue and readily available products, we even provide our clients with the option to customise their doors and windows from scratch to ensure maximum satisfaction. Apart from being visually pleasing, uPVC doors and windows also possess energy-efficiency to help you save money otherwise spent unnecessarily on energy bills. Their energy-efficient quality is one of the top reasons why environment enthusiasts are investing in uPVC doors and windows for their homes and offices. They help cut down on harmful carbon and greenhouse gas emissions and ensure that no carbon footprint is left behind. Let’s see how the versatile uPVC doors and windows manage to do all these things so effortlessly.
Regulating Indoor Temperature
uPVC doors and windows are equipped with energy-efficient properties to prevent the indoor warmth from escaping your space through notorious gaps and cracks. The panes of uPVC windows are multi-chambered and the frames are constructed with double sealing and an EPDM gasket to completely seal the area between the window glass and body. Just as they minimise heat loss, they also prevent heat from entering your cool interiors on a hot summer afternoon up to three times more than regular windows.
All these unique features reduce the need for air conditioners and radiators, which in turn, can help you save enormously on energy bills. Opting for uPVC tilt and turn windows is a great way to add an extra source of cross-ventilation in cramped spaces and maintain an optimal temperature in your homes and offices at all times. AIS windows offers stylish uPVC tilt and turn window designs that provide noise reduction of up to 42 decibels. These sleek window profiles are actually capable of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40-60% as compared to standard windows.
Mixing uPVC with Double and Triple-Glazed Windows
Approximately 70% of heat is gained or lost through standard window panes. A single-glazed window can lose about ten to fifteen times more heat during winters and accounts for 25% of total heat gain during summers. Simply upgrading your single-glazed windows with double-glazed or triple-glazed windows can improve thermal resistance by up to 94%, making double and triple-glazed windows the most energy-efficient glass options in the market.
Double and triple-glazed windows are equipped with two and three panes of glass respectively and a layer of inert gas, generally Argon sandwiched between each sheet of glass. This inert gas acts as an insulating barrier and helps regulate indoor temperature. The layers of these window profiles help reduce cold spots and draughts to create a pleasant living and working environment.
Upon pairing these glass panes with uPVC doors and windows, you can reduce your annual energy bills by up to 40%. The higher the number of glazing layers, the better is the energy-efficiency. These glazing layers also help in increasing noise-resistance and preventing moisture build-up. They even possess airtight sealing and advanced multi-locking mechanisms to simultaneously improve safety measures. Much like uPVC, they are extremely durable and have a shelf life of up to 20 years or more.
Apart from reducing energy bills, they also enhance décor and instantly brighten up the room. They block heat and UV-rays to allow an ample amount of filtered natural light into the room. This further helps save money on utility bills by eliminating the need for artificial lighting during daytime. Moreover, natural light is scientifically proven to boost the mood of employees and enhance productivity levels in office spaces. They are also a great addition to homes as they help regulate the body’s circadian rhythms to ensure quality sleep and promote overall health.
Real-Life Applications
Now that we’ve seen all the amazing ways that uPVC doors and windows can be implemented for reducing energy bills, let’s take a look at how we can utilise them to increase the aesthetic appeal of commercial as well as residential spaces.
French Doors and Windows
Looking for low maintenance and durable door and window solutions to instantly add glam to your space? Opt for classic French uPVC doors and windows. AIS Windows offer three-in-one uPVC French doors that can be hinged at the sides, opened inwards or outwards, depending on your needs. They even come in wood effect finishes with a multi-lock point for the perfect balance of aesthetics and efficiency. Their energy-efficient properties will help you save considerably on energy bills. You can also opt for matching AIS uPVC French Windows to exude class and elegance and create a sophisticated space. They are equally energy-efficient, offer a high green rating to maintain optimum internal temperature and are even equipped with noise insulation of up to 42 decibels, thus establishing precedence as the perfect all-weather solution.
Sliding Doors and Windows
If you’re looking for sleek and timeless door and window designs, you must undoubtedly opt for the quintessential sliding uPVC doors and windows. AIS Windows offers high-quality uPVC frames coupled with AIS glass of choice to help our clients get the customised solutions for their needs. Our uPVC sliding windows are widely used for thermal insulative properties, making it a great choice for increasing the energy-efficiency levels of your space. uPVC sliding doors are also used to optimise space and give the illusion of a bigger room. This eco-friendly number is the perfect solution for small residences and cramped offices. It even possesses noise-cancellation properties, making it an excellent choice for hotel rooms and hospital wards.
Looking for top-quality uPVC doors and windows to replace your old ones? Get in touch with AIS Windows- the one-stop-shop where aesthetics meets functionality. We offer a comprehensive range of fenestration products in uPVC, wood and aluminium substrates for commercial and residential spaces along with customizable options. We believe in enriching lifestyles through enhanced aesthetics and hence, we offer a host of unique solutions for your acoustic, privacy, comfort and security needs.
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