Single glazed windows consist, not surprisingly, of a single pane of glass incorporated into a window frame. This kind of technology is very common in older buildings, and is often used to repair or replace old windows; single glazing is cheaper as it can be installed in old window frames without replacing them.
However, single glazing is extremely heat inefficient. It provides no insulation which leads to heat loss and increased energy costs.
The technology is very suitable for hot, tropical climates where internal heat retention is not needed or desired.
Edinburgh is a beautiful city of old buildings located in a climate that is very definitely neither hot nor tropical. The vast majority of older buildings in this city have single glazed windows.
This is the simplest type of window, often used in traditional construction, but it is hugely energy wasteful. It causes condensation, heat loss, as well as poor sound insulation.
This is a thermal image of two windows, one single glazed and one double glazed. The temperature difference is considerable.
Single glazed windows are nostalgic and quaint, but they lead to enormous heating costs. The windows leak and the rooms don’t retain heat.
Exterior single glazed windows are the single greatest energy guzzler in cities with old buildings. They put a huge strain on the environment
They are also a potential danger, particularly when located on lower floors, as they are quite easy to break.
Exterior windows must be double glazed. Interior ones can be single glazed, but replacing exterior single glazing with double glazing is the most effective way to reduce heating costs and protect the environment.