Eli5: what an “air gap” is in the context of storm windows and how/why it better insulates windows.

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PS: Is it still an “air gap” without using “noble gases” and just “air”? Thanks so much!

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Imagine you’re wearing a sweater on a cold day. The sweater helps to keep you warm by trapping a layer of air between your body and the cold outside air. The trapped air acts like a barrier and helps to keep the cold air out and the warm air in.

Now, double-pane windows work in a similar way. There are two layers of glass with a small space, or air gap, between them. This air gap acts like the sweater’s trapped air, helping to keep the cold outside air from getting inside your home and the warm air from escaping. This makes your home more energy efficient and comfortable.

Sometimes, this air gap is filled with a special gas called argon. Argon is better at insulating than regular air because it doesn’t let heat pass through it as easily. So, by using argon in the gap between the two panes of glass, the windows become even better at keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It’s like wearing an extra warm sweater on a really cold day!

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