Choosing new windows for your home needs as much care as picking out furniture, if not more. With an abundance of styles, colors, material choices and finishings available, it can be difficult to figure out what is right for you. In this article, we’ll focus on one of several of these choices: double vs triple pane windows. Triple-glazed or double-glazed windows is a choice that depends on the energy standard of the house, the size of the windows and the direction at which they are oriented. Large windows are currently in and many single-family houses have wide patio doors. Windows are important when it comes to the energy balance of the home, which is why it’s best to choose your new windows wisely.
Modern windows are equipped with glazing units consisting of two, three or more individual glass panes. The distance between them is determined by spacers, which are filled with gas (argon, krypton or xenon). The stability of the system and its energy-efficiency are ensured by sealing compounds applied along the edge of the window pane.
The thermal insulation parameters of windows are primarily due to glazing units, as they account for about 70% of the window surface, and even more in patio/balcony doors. By selecting pane systems with different U-value heat transfer coefficients, you can choose windows that increase your home’s energy use each year.
Energy Performance Ratings for Windows
There are two measures used to rate energy efficiency. These coefficients can tell us how well a specific material or system resists or conducts heat transfer. The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (or SGHC) is expressed as the U-value and it represents the thermal conductivity of a window, which means it can measure how much heat passes through a section of a window. The R-value, on the other hand, is a measure of heat resistance. It measures the performance of a specific material, so simply put, it rates the material’s insulating ability. The R-value depends on the type of insulation, its density, and thickness. so the difference between these two ratings is that the U-value is not a material rating, whereas the R-value is.
Higher r-values represent better thermal insulation and a low u-values indicate better resistance to heat transference, that is, less heat will be lost.
There is no doubt that three pane windows are more energy efficient and are becoming a standard. These types of windows are additionally filled with an extra “layer” of gas between the glass panels, which provides an extra insulation barrier. Triple pane windows are used in energy-efficient houses, as they have a heat transfer coefficient of less than 1, where double-pane windows have a U-value of 1.2-1.4, which is currently considered a standard. Triple-pane windows allow for significant savings. That is why they are so often used, for example, in passive houses.
Windows designed for energy-efficient houses are relatively more expensive than double-glazed windows, but it is a profitable investment that will certainly pay off.
Not Only Glass Matters
Double-glazed windows are already standard.
However, their heat transfer coefficient may be comparable to that of a lower quality triple-glazed window. It is worth remembering that the thermal insulation is calculated for the entire window system (glazing unit, spacers, frames). The number of chambers in PVC frames also plays an important role. The more there are, the greater the thermal insulation. Wooden window frames do not have chambers. Here, the key role is played by the thickness of the frame and the method of inserting the glazing unit into it.
Triple-Pane Glass For Window Replacement
One of the most common questions that many Chicago homeowners ask is what type of window to choose during their window replacement project. The choice is important not only because of cost issues, but also because of its numerous functionality values. They play a major role in energy efficiency while greatly contributing to the brightness, ventilation, acoustics, comfort, and ambiance of your interiors. Triple-glazed windows are constructed in such a way that between the 3 layers of glass there are two chambers filled with two types of gas, which together work even more efficiently to reduce temperature loss.
When to Choose Double-Glazed Windows?
Double-glazed windows can be a good investment for an old house or a house with thin thermal insulation There are also certain rooms in a house where the installation of double pane windows will be advisable, e.g. a basement or a garage. In buildings that are not insulated, with a small number and size of windows, the installation of three pane windows systems is pointless, as it won’t improve the energy balance and cold air will flow through other construction elements, e.g. the roof. In addition, for people on a budget, as well as owners of unheated vacation homes and outbuildings, the installation of double-glazed windows with a U-value of up to 1.1 will be completely sufficient and comply with the current standards. Moreover, installing double glazing in a property can increase its value and attractiveness.
When to Choose Triple-Glazed Windows?
The main criterion in choosing a triple-glazed window is the place of their installation and the goal we want to achieve. Triple pane windows are definitely more expensive, which additionally, thanks to an additional thermal insulation layer, provides even better comfort and greater energy efficiency. Thus, the installation of three-pane windows is required when building an energy-efficient or passive house where proper insulation is mandatory. Compared to double-glazed windows, less heat from the sun will penetrate the room, which is associated with a much lower risk of overheating the interiors. Another determinant is window replacement as part of the thermal modernization of the entire building. Then, along with the renovation of the interiors and the thermal insulation of the facade, it is worth replacing the windows with triple-glazed windows.
High quality triple glazing works in the same way as roof and wall insulation: they keep the house warm or cool, reducing heating costs in winter and air conditioning costs in summer. 2. The reduced carbon dioxide emissions resulting from lower energy expenditure on heating and cooling the home means that triple-glazed windows are more energy efficient than double and single-glazed windows.
Thicker laminated glass and the spacers between the three panes provide tremendous insulation while also providing a stylish solution that fit your lifestyle.
Home Windows Installation: Summary
The differences between double and triple glazed windows are significant. What you, as the homeowners, must certainly consider is your budget and the all the technical specifications of both options. A detailed analysis of the thermal and acoustic properties of the windows shows that despite the higher initial cost of triple-glazed windows, the investment will pay off very quickly in the form of reduced heating costs.
