Revitalizing your home with new energy efficient windows and doors is a fantastic way to reduce your monthly energy bills in an era of rising gas prices and energy costs. When shopping for new windows, homeowners are bombarded with a plethora of information that can be confusing and difficult to understand. Questions regarding the differences between double and triple glazed windows are frequently asked as homeowners look to improve the energy efficiency of their homes while saving money on monthly heating bills. Is it worth investing in triple glazed windows to save energy or would double glaze work best for me? Let’s answer the question!
What is the Difference Between Double And Triple Pane Windows? Double glazed windows feature two panes of glass sealed together within the frame. The pocket in between these two panes is filled with Argon gas which acts as an insulator to directly improve energy efficiency. In most cases, these windows come by default with a single layer of low-e as well. This layer reflects sunlight, preventing ultra-violet (UV) radiation and heat buildup from increasing the temperature of your home. In comparison, triple pane windows feature an additional pane of glass which adds another air pocket filled up with Argon gas. This glass package also includes a single low-e layer that reflects UV rays from the sun. Triple glass windows yield better energy efficiency results compared to their double glazed window counterparts with the added benefit of slightly reducing noise. Despite the advantages of having triple pane windows, double pane windows are more common as they are more affordable and perform well enough for most residential properties across Ontario.
So Which Should You Choose?
There are several factors to consider when choosing the number of glass panes for your windows. These factors include your budget, energy requirements, heating and cooling consumption and predictions for how long you will be living in your current home.
While triple glass windows improve your home’s ability to retain heat and prevent condensation, on average, they take longer to pay off as they are more expensive compared to double glass. Therefore, if you plan on living at your address for longer than a few years, you will make a return on your investment in energy savings in the long term with triple glass windows.
Additionally, there are instances where homeowners may complain about extreme heat during the summer in rooms around their home and thus believe that triple glass will solve this issue. The extreme heat in those areas can be resolved by adding extra coats of low-e to reflect more sunlight and therefore prevents the room heating rather than adding an extra pane of glass.
Extra low-e coatings are optional and can be added to both double and triple glass windows as per your preference In many cases, double glass windows when combined with extra layers of low-e can solve extreme heat problems at lower price than the triple glass option.
If you are purchasing triple glass windows for the strict purpose of noise cancellation, then they may not be the right choice for you. Triple pane windows do not reduce sound significantly more than double pane windows. If you are looking for noise dampening windows, the choice for you is neither double pane nor triple pane but laminated windows. Have questions regarding laminated windows, give us a call!
If you are still not sure whether double glass or triple glass is the right solution for your home, call us and our experts will provide you with a professional consultation and help you find the best solution for your needs and house. Call us now 519-721-2924