Triple Pane Windows

on Monday, July 9, 2012

While selecting a Windows of a house a lot of people are confused about choosing between Triple Pane Windows or Double Pane Windows? There are some pros and cons of both the Triple Pane Windows and Double Pane Windows. In this post I will shed some light on the both Pane Windows. And I hope it will help you to make a wisely decision.

What is A Triple Pane Window?


Windows generally come in either single pane, double pane or triple pane. A triple pane window is simply a window that has an exterior, middle and interior pane, with a layer of gas (usually argon or krypton, though sometimes air) between the middle pane and the other two panes. As such triple pane windows are very energy efficient, more so than the other window types.

That is, they greatly reduce loss of heat from inside, and the transmission from outside to inside. In other words, when the time is hot, the heat from outside will not easily seep into your home or building through these windows. Similarly, when it is cold, the heat inside your home will not easily leak out through these windows.


Single Pane -  Double Pane - Triple Pane Windows

Triple Pane Windows vs. Double Pane Windows


The battle between different types of windows comes down to price vs. efficiency. Considering the insulation that they provide, as just explained, it would seem a good choice to go with triple pane windows over the other kinds. For providing better insulation translates to reduced energy consumption that you would undergo to either maintain the warm or cool temperature inside your house. So then, why would anyone choose not to go with triple pane windows? Well although there are cost savings involved, in terms of using less power for heating or cooling, triple pain windows can be a lot more expensive. So much so that the amount you will save in energy costs, would not compensate for the extra costs you would pay upfront, over the lifespan of the windows.

Furthermore, it is likely that new technology will produce even better kinds of windows at cheaper costs, so it might make sense to simply go with double pane windows until such a time comes. Another drawback with triple pane windows is that they can be very heavy. This has implications for the structure in which they are going. If the structure is not built to take this weight, damage may be caused to both the building and the windows themselves in due course. Of course, if you had your structure built well enough then this is not an issue.

However, the heaviness of these windows could mean added expense if you are getting them shipped to you. Also, this reduces the options available for framing. And of course, it could pose a tad more challenging to install than regular double panes.

Why to Choose Triple Pane Windows


As discussed earlier Triple Pane Windows has high Price as well as they are heavy so why bother thinking about them? Things are not that simple. 

You can consider triple pane windows a luxury. They might not be economical, but they do provide more comfort and warmth inside. If you were to stand near such windows inside a home when it is freezing outside, and compare this to double pane windows, you would have no doubt about the difference. Another thing going for these luxurious windows, is that they do not have nearly as much condensation on the inside.

So if you don’t like having to deal with that on your windows, then this advantage to the triple panes might make them worth it. It should also be mentioned that while for most people, the savings in energy costs might not be worth it, it does to some extent depend on where you live and how cold (or hot) it might get. So for those living further to the north where it gets really cold, it might be better to go with the triple. Some people might also add that external noise is much better filtered with the triple panes than dual panes. Generally speaking this is probably true, due to the differences in glass thickness and space between panes.

However, you should realise that if the thickness of the glasses and the overall space in between the interior and the exterior are the same for both the triple and double, then they are about equal when it comes to sound insulation. One thing you should know, if you do decide to go with triple pane windows that contain either argon or krypton or a mixture, is that the gas does leak over time, even without any damage to the window. A fair estimate is approximately 1% per year. So eventually air will replace the gas, and this will reduce the energy efficiency of the windows.

Buying Guide for Triple Pane Vs. Double Pane (or other General Windows)


Windows are given U and R ratings. U values indicate how well heat is conducted. R values tell how well heat is resisted. This means the lower the U value the better. Conversely, the higher the R value, the better it is. The R values are what is used mostly, and they normally range anywhere from 0.9 to 3.0.

The R-value of a window is dependent on the number of layers of glass used, the quality of the installation with respect to air leaks, the glazing material type, whether plastic, glass or other, the size of the air space in between the glass layers, and finally how well the frame itself behaves as a resistor or conductor.

So if you are comparing windows, you need to pay attention to the U or R values. To ensure you’re comparing apples with apples, you need to verify that these values are guided by the standards established by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). You should also check to see that these values are for comparable styles, and the same size windows. Another factor that will determine that your comparison is valid, is just what is the R or U value measured for. Is it just the middle of the glass, or is it for the whole window including the frame?

In conclusion, Triple Pane Windows vs. Double Pane Windows ,we have seen advantages and disadvantages to triple pane windows, and we have provided guidance for how to evaluate your options in windows. It is hoped that this information has been helpful.

In future I will post more about Triple Pane Windows and Double Pane Windows, like there performance characteristics, efficiency etc. so stay Tuned.

3 comments:

windows phoenix said...

Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.
Cost To Replace Windows
Windows And Doors Phoenix
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James E Lutz said...

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zonezip said...

Can Edge Delamination be fixed in Triple pane windows? or do you have to replace the existing window with a new one?

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