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

Question

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

In: 31

Answer 1

Still air is not a good conductor, so a good trick we have of insulating things is “trapping” air. The trapped air in between the windows acts like an insulator and the windows on either side keeps the air from being disturbed.

This trapped air concept are why things like aerogel and styrofoam are good insulators, they are essentially filled with air inside and the air can’t move.