There’s a lot to think about when it comes to making a home more sustainable. Something that often gets overlooked are the humble windows and doors. These fixtures can rank low on the list of priorities, but they’re a vital element of a home’s design. They introduce natural light and airflow and have an impact on the overall look and feel of your home. Many homeowners opt for more affordable standard single-glazed windows and doors to capture these natural elements.
You may want to consider the advantages of upgrading your windows or doors to double glazed, or investing in window coverings or other treatments to make them more efficient. Making the right choice here may increase the value of your home, reduce the cost of utility bills, and make your home more ecofriendly.
The potential benefits of installing double glazed windows
Lower energy bills
Keeping cool in summer and warm in winter is getting more difficult with higher energy bills
The good news is that installing double-glazed windows and doors is an effective way to make a home more energy efficient. That could mean lower energy bills since you’ll making better use of energy inside the home.
Better insulation for your home in winter and summer
Your home’s energy efficiency may depend a lot on the type of windows and glass doors you have. The heat you lose in winter and a lot of the heat you gain in summer happens through windows and doors. Double-glazed windows can help alleviate the problem of insulation and make your home more energy efficient.
Less noise coming in from outside your home
There’s nothing worse than having your Sunday sleep-in cut short thanks to your neighbour’s penchant for early morning leaf-blowing!
Thankfully, double glazing can reduce noise from voices, pets, cars, planes, trains, and other sources.
Double-glazed products absorb more sound energy than standard single-glazed products due to the gap between the glass panes. Adding acoustic glass increases the effectiveness of double glazing too.
Increased security for your home in the event of theft or intrusion
Aside from keeping you warm, double glazing can also help keep you and your family safe. Vulnerable points of entry into a home are single-glazed windows and doors, and poor locking systems. Single glass panes, along with timber or aluminium windows and doors can be easily broken into.
Double glazing may offer much greater obstacle to a potential thief or intruder for the simple reason they are harder to smash.
Other ways to improve your windows
If you’re not ready to install new windows then there may be other ways to make your home more energy efficient. For example, you can use things like reflective film or window coverings to stop solar heat from entering your home.
Need help financing your new solar battery storage?
If you’re thinking about ways to finance some green home upgrades, such as replacing your old windows with new double-glazed units, then Suncorp Bank is here to offer you a lending hand!
Eligible Suncorp Bank home loan customers could finance eco-friendly home improvements with a special reduced variable equity home loan rate.
Want to know more?
Talk to a Suncorp Bank home loan expert
Published 15 July 2022
Related links and products
Handy tools
Home Loans are provided by Suncorp-Metway Ltd ABN 66 010 831 722 AFSL No. 229882 Australian Credit Licence 229882 (“Suncorp Bank”) to approved applicants only. Please read the relevant Product Information Document, Lending Fees and Charges and Home Package Plus Terms and Conditions before making a decision regarding any Suncorp Bank products. Fees, charges, terms and conditions apply and are available on request or on our Product Information Documents and Forms page.
Banking products are issued by Suncorp-Metway Ltd ABN 66 010 831 722 AFSL No. 229882 Australian Credit Licence 229882 (“Suncorp Bank”) to approved applicants only. Please read the relevant Product Information Document, Lending Fees and Charges and the Home Package Plus Terms and Conditions before making a decision regarding any Suncorp Bank products. Fees, charges, terms and conditions apply and are available on request or on our Product Information Documents and Forms page.
^^Discounted rate is only available for new Personal/Owner Occupied or Investment loans taken out as part of the Suncorp Bank Green Upgrades Equity Home Loan Offer. Existing lending ≥$150,000 and new equity lending between $10,000-$25,000 and borrowings ≤80% of the security property value (LVR) inclusive of lenders mortgage insurance (if applicable), with Principal and Interest repayments. The discounted rate (currently 5.82% p.a) is calculated by subtracting a discount of 2.83% from the Standard Back to Basics Variable Rate (currently 8.65% p.a.) for Owner Occupied Loans, or by subtracting a discount of 3.25% from the Standard Back to Basics Variable Rate (currently 9.07% p.a.) for Investment Loans. Rates and discounts are subject to change and may be varied if the loan purpose or repayment type is changed. Pre-approvals excluded. The discounted rate is available on eligible loans applied for from 17 November 2023 until 28 February 2025 unless withdrawn earlier.
The information is intended to be of a general nature only and any advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it. We do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss incurred as a result of reliance upon it – please make your own enquiries.
