If you’re looking to increase the energy efficiency of your home, replacing windows is often an essential step.
Old, ill-fitting windows can create serious weak spots in the insulation of your home, increasing your energy bills and forcing you to turn your thermostat high even on milder days.
When energy efficiency is high on your priority list, chances are you’ll be drawn to triple glazing. However, though the concept of double-glazing is almost universally understood, not so many people know exactly what triple-glazing is or how effective it is in comparison.
In this post, we’ll discuss exactly what triple glazing is as well as explore the advantages and disadvantages to help you decide if it is the correct option for you.
What is Triple Glazing?
A triple-glazed window is made of three thin glass panes layered on top of each other. The gaps between the panes are filled with an inert gas (such as Argon or Xenon) to provide additional insulation.
The gases sandwiched between the panes improve the window’s energy efficiency because they are bad conductors. They help stop your centrally heated air from escaping through the window and stop the biting cold from getting into your house. Furthermore, they are an effective way of reducing the amount of noise which comes
This is exactly the same concept as double glazing, but with triple glazing, there is an extra pane of glass and an extra layer of glass to provide even more insulation.
What Are The Benefits of Triple Glazing?
- Capable of increased insulation and higher energy efficiency
- Offer better soundproofing and noise reduction
- Help reduce condensation
- Potentially add value to your home
What Are The Drawbacks of Triple Glazing?
- Is more expensive
- Uses more resources to create leading to a higher environmental impact
- Triple-glazed windows are heavier which can weaken the walls around them.
- Extra weight can also add stress to the window frames and shorten their life spans
Is Triple Glazing Expensive?
As mentioned above, the cost of triple glazing is one of its biggest drawbacks. In fact, it can cost up to 20% more than double-glazing.
This is because triple glazing has a higher manufacturing cost. It obviously takes more materials to create triple-glazed window units as they have an extra layer of glass and an extra layer of insulating gas. It also takes longer to manufacture, using up more energy and labour.
When it comes to high-quality double-glazed window units, it is often said that the cost of replacing windows is balanced out by the savings you make on heating costs. Effective, efficient double glazing makes such a dramatic difference to your energy bills, it covers the initial cost of installation over the subsequent years.
With triple-glazing it doesn’t quite balance out the same way. Triple glazing costs a lot more upfront and doesn’t provide such significant savings over double-glazed window units. Your heating bills will go down, but the change won’t be as great.
Is Triple Glazing Any Better Than Double Glazing?
However, other factors will influence the insulating properties of windows, not just whether they are double or triple-glazed. The quality of the window construction, the material of the frame and the specific gas sandwiched between the panes will all have an impact.
Another factor to consider is whether a window has a low E coating on it. Low E (short for low emissivity) coatings can be layered onto glass to improve the thermal efficiency of windows and doors. They work by reflecting waves of heat – keeping your central heating inside your home during winter, and keeping the heat of the sun outside during summer.
In turn, this means that just because a window is triple-glazed, it won’t always be a better insulator. You should pay attention to the whole window U-value and the Window Energy Rating instead – this will tell you the exact performance of a window unit.
Is Triple Glazing Worth It?
In the UK, it is generally accepted that double-glazing with a low E coating is enough to keep our homes warm during winter. This makes it hard to determine whether triple glazing can be classed as ‘worth it’ or not – especially due to its cost.
Building regulations demand that new UK homes must meet a certain level of energy efficiency, but this can be met through double glazing with a low E coating.
However, home insulation is about more than heating bills. As the world pushes for higher standards of sustainability, triple glazing will become more common as it is the most eco-friendly option. In time, it is likely it will become the expected standard.
If you want the peace of mind that your windows are the best they possibly can be, now and in the decades to come, triple glazing is the only way.
Eco-Friendly Windows That Will Lower Your Bills
Whether you go for thermally-broken aluminium windows with triple glazing or double-glazed timber framed windows, updating old windows is a surefire way to increase the energy efficiency of your home.
If you want to make sure you’re getting high-quality windows that will offer excellent insulation to your home, then our range of windows comes with a choice of triple glazing or double glazing. We can help you find the windows you need, whatever your budget.
