Is Double Glazing Worth It in Malta?

Double glazing is often recommended as a way to make homes more energy efficient, but Malta is not the same as colder northern European countries. Our winters are milder, our summers are long and hot, and many households use air conditioning far more than heating.

So is double glazing actually worth it in Malta?

Our view: usually not as a pure payback investment if your windows are still serviceable, but it can still be a worthwhile upgrade in the right home.

If your windows already need replacing, if you have old single glazing, if you use air conditioning heavily, or if comfort and noise matter to you, double glazing becomes much easier to justify.

What does double glazing actually do?

Double glazing uses two panes of glass separated by a sealed gap. That gap helps reduce the amount of heat that passes through the window.

The main benchmark to understand is the U-value.

In simple terms: the lower the U-value, the better the insulation.

As a broad benchmark, basic single glazing is around 4.8 W/m²K, while decent double glazing is often around 2 to 2.8 W/m²K, depending on specification. In practical terms, that means double glazing can significantly reduce heat transfer through the window compared with single glazing.

That does not mean it will halve your electricity bill. Windows are only one part of the home, and the final saving depends on many factors including AC use, window size, orientation and the rest of the building.

Will it save you money?

Yes, but often not enough to make it one of the very best energy-payback investments in Malta if you are replacing perfectly good windows.

So if your windows are in reasonable condition, we would not usually recommend changing them purely to save electricity.

The economics improve a lot if your current windows are old or poor quality, single glazed, leak air badly, you use AC frequently, or you are replacing the windows anyway.

In those cases, the real question is often not whether the entire cost of new windows pays back quickly, but whether it is worth paying more for better glazing as part of a replacement you were going to do anyway. In many cases, yes.

Sun exposure matters in Malta

In Malta, insulation is only part of the story. Sunlight through the glass can also be a major source of heat gain.

Large south-facing and especially west-facing windows can create significant overheating in summer. West-facing glazing is often the hardest to shade because of the low afternoon sun.

So when comparing windows, it is not just about insulation. For exposed windows, solar control and shading matter too.

A supplier should be able to explain both how well the window insulates and how well it limits unwanted solar heat gain.

What about older limestone houses?

Traditional Maltese limestone buildings tend to be more porous than modern construction, and many older homes also “breathe” differently. Older windows, timber frames and imperfect seals may allow a lot more natural airflow than modern airtight systems.

That means replacing old windows with very airtight double-glazed units can change how the building behaves.

This does not mean double glazing is a bad idea in older homes. But if you have a townhouse, farmhouse or house of character, you should think about ventilation, humidity, existing damp issues, wall finishes and how the house manages moisture.

In other words, in a traditional limestone property, windows should not be considered in isolation.

Other benefits matter too

Energy savings are only one part of the picture.

Double glazing can also help with better comfort in summer and winter, fewer draughts, less outside noise and better sealing against dust.

For some homes, especially on busy roads, the noise reduction and comfort improvement may be just as valuable as the energy saving.

If noise is important, ask specifically about acoustic performance. Standard double glazing and acoustic glazing are not necessarily the same product.

Are there grants for double glazing in Malta?

Malta has previously had support schemes for roof insulation and double glazing through REWS.

Grant schemes can change, so readers should always check the latest position directly with REWS before committing to works or paying deposits.

Energy Wise Malta’s view

If your existing windows are perfectly serviceable, we would not rush to replace them purely for energy savings. There are often other improvements in Malta that may offer a quicker return.

But if your windows already need replacing, or if you have poor single glazing, strong sun exposure, regular AC use or a noise problem, then good-quality double glazing can be a sensible upgrade.

The key is not just whether a window is “double glazed”, but whether it is well specified, well installed and suitable for the home.

Final takeaway: For Malta, double glazing is often a good upgrade when replacing windows anyway, but not always a standout energy-payback investment on its own.