Window Insulation Comparison
By Jianpeng Deng and Chad Freeman
Updated on 10/10/2021
Graph of Temperatures Recorded Under
5 Different Window Insulations
set ‘Single-glazed Window’ as baseline/existing window
Graph of Temperatures Difference Between
5 Different Window Insulations
set ‘Single-glazed Window’ as baseline/existing window
Legend
Blue – Double-glazed Window
Orange – Single-glazed Window
Grey – Window Film (applied to single-glazed window internally)
Yellow – Window Coating (applied to single-glazed window internally)
Green – Window Coating (applied to single-glazed window externally)
During Daytime
Temperature record orders: Double-glazed Window ≥ Single-glazed Window > Window Coating (Internal) > Window Film > Window Coating (External)
For hot regions: window coating (both internal and external) and window film can significantly lower the room temperature than the other two on a hot day (ranging from -5°C to -15°C lower).
For cold regions: double-glazed window is the best insulation to keep the heat inside a building. Window film and window coating (both internal and external) cannot gain much heat on a sunny day.
During Nighttime
Temperature record orders: Double-glazed Window > Window Coating (Internal) > Window Film > Single-glazed Window ≥ Window Coating (External)
For hot regions: a double-glazed window, window film and window coating (internal only) can keep the room temperature higher than the other two (up to 9°C higher), which could be both good and bad news depending on the situation.
For cold regions: double-glazed window is the best insulation to keep the heat inside a building. Window film and window coating (internal) can retain more heat for a longer period than window coating (external) and a single-glazed window.
Construction-wise
Double-glazed window replacement and window coating (external) are feasible for small-scale buildings, for example, houses; but very difficult to be carried out in large-scale buildings, for example, apartment buildings.
Whereas window film and window coating (internal) are feasible for nearly all buildings.
Cost-wise
Window film and window coating (both internal and external) installation usually cost much less than double-glazed window replacement (ranging from double to quadruple less).
Product supply costs for both window coating and window film are about the same. However, neither of them is sold in products, which means both of them must be purchased in packages that the suppliers provide the installation services.
Environment-wise
Window film and window coating (both internal and external) installation create less waste than double-glazed window replacement.
However, window coating/film installation might require reinstalled from time to time (ranging from 10 years to 30 years).
Other Factors
Product availability: only window coating is not currently available in Australia.
See-through performance orders: Double-glazed Window > Window Film > Window Coating
Acoustic Performance: double-glazed window is the only winner in this comparison