Why Use Double-Walled Mugs?

Double-walled mugs are as much a practical kitchen addition as they are a decorative one.

Once you’re aware of the benefits of these nifty vessels you might never go back to the humble ceramic mug.

Whether you’re a latte lover or espresso evangelist, we have an extensive range of pretty, double-walled mugs that not only look great in your kitchen but also extend your drink’s life span.

Want to peruse other mug styles? Take a look at our roundup of our favourite cute mugs. 

What is a double-walled mug?

As the name suggests, these stylish mugs consist of a double layer of material – usually borosilicate glass. Borosilicate glass contains boron trioxide and has a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

This means that, unlike regular glass, it doesn’t crack under extreme heat and can cope with temperatures up to 100 degrees. 

The double layer of glass makes them thicker, but not necessarily heavier. Borosilicate glass is in fact a naturally light-weight material.

These pretty mugs are essentially a glass within a glass. In between the layers is a pocket of air and since air has a lower thermal conductivity than glass, heat cannot pass easily between the layers. Heat is retained for longer, and your drink stays warm. It’s the perfect vessel, then, for a piping hot cuppa.

What are the benefits of double-walled mugs?

• Heat retention

First and foremost, the insulating properties of the double-walled mug is its greatest benefit.

There’s nothing more frustrating than forgetting about your cup of coffee and returning to find it tepid.

There’s less chance of this happening with a layered mug.

The pocket of air between the glass keeps your drink hotter for hours longer than in a regular mug.

• Keep things chilled

The insulation works in reverse too. Unlike regular glass, heat can neither escape, nor enter easily, so your chilled iced tea will remain refreshing for far longer on a hot summer’s day.

• Prevent scolded hands

Because the extra layer of glass blocks the inside heat from escaping too quickly, it also stops the outside of the mug from becoming too hot to the touch.

Passing a cuppa between friends has never been easier. 

• Clear

Why does it matter that your cup’s transparent? Well, it means you can see exactly how much tea you have left and whether or not it’s time for a top-up!

• Chic and stylish

There’s a reason cool coffee houses and high-end eateries use double-walled mugs. Aside from all the above benefits, they also look elegant.

Turn your kitchen into a hip hangout with our sleek polka dot or pretty heart mugs. 

How to care for your double-walled mug

Please be aware that Pretty Little Home’s double-walled mugs are not dishwasher safe. To ensure the longevity of your favourite mug, ensure you hand wash only by doing the following:

• Fill the inside of the mug with warm, soapy water

• Wash clean with a cloth or brush

• Rinse with hot running water

*Do not submerge the mug for long periods as this encourages water to seep through seams.

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What You Should Know About Double Wall Glass Coffee Mugs

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What exactly is a double-walled glass mug?

For the uninitiated, double-walled glass mugs are transparent and made of glass. What you might not expect is that they’re much thicker than a standard glass cup. The main issue I have with both glass and regular ceramic mugs is that they become heated (when holding coffee). Because the heat goes so smoothly from the exterior to the handle region, it might be difficult to hold at times (too often).

That problem is solved by double glass walls (nearly always with air in between). Very nicely. Double wall glasses look beautiful, feel wonderful, and never make your hand sweat (while holding cold beverages) or get uncomfortably hot.

There is one important fact to remember regarding double-walled glasses: their thickness varies. In comparison to a traditional glass mug or pint glass, the actual glass layer is significantly thinner. Although the total wall is nearly generally thicker, each of the two glass walls is really thinner. That makes them more prone to break in a drop test or under compressive stress.

The Primary Advantages of a Double Wall Glass Coffee Mug

1. They are frequently substantially lighter than ceramic counterparts. In our kitchen, standard mugs are all around the same size and quality of construction: the ceramic one was 370g, while the (thick, single-walled) glass one was 320g. The one with two walls of glass weighed 200 grams. That’s somewhat more than half the weight. If you hold your cup a lot, you’ll notice it.
2. Thermal isolation is enhanced when using a lighter coffee cup.
3. We’ve never compared double-walled glass to the increasingly popular Yeti cup in America. However, they are also far better insulators than we are accustomed to, and will keep your hots hot and colds colder than most mugs.
4. Double-walled glass cups are clear. This is kind of “duh” for most, but because it’s glass (not ceramic), we always know exactly how much coffee we left in the mug we left across the room.
5. Double-walled mugs are beautiful. This is the most subjective, but also the one we feel most strongly: clear, double-walled glasses (on average) look better than comparable single-walled glass or ceramic vessels.
6. They’re often comfortably handle-less. This relates to the above points: because of the thermal qualities of it, a handle-less double-walled glass mug is both possible and common. And no, unlike that old mug you didn’t throw away after you lost its handle, you won’t feel your hand getting uncomfortably hot from the hot beverage inside.

What to Look for in a Double-Wall Glass Mug

• A pleasant form
• There are no strange gathering sites for water/etc. to enter the air-gap.
• Longevity (MUST be dishwasher safe)