Triple-Glazed Windows Facts

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

While most people have heard all about UPVC and double-glazing windows, very few know about triple-glazing windows. In this article, we’ll be discussing triple-glazing and everything there is to know about it. With more people, from builders to homeowners, now switching to triple-glazed windows, the question on the minds of many is if these windows make sense. Read on to learn more at double glazing Salisbury.

What is Triple Glazing?

Triple glazing is two extra glass panes are added to a single pane before an inert gas (usually argon gas) is inserted in between the panes. The idea behind this is that the different layers of glass will prevent loss of heat, lowering your energy bill during winter. While double-glazing is enough to prevent heat loss, triple-glazed window fans insist that having more than two panes improves heat retention. While opinions concerning this divide people, experts have weighed in and suggested that triple-glazed windows to do their magic, manufacturers should consider using krypton as a filler gas instead of argon. In addition, the window's frames have to be insulated. Without these two, seemingly minute, details, there is not much difference in how much you could save.

Triple-Glazing Guide and Costs

Triple glazing has the potential to lower energy bills while making your place of business or home warmer, quieter, and safer. The average cost of installing triple-glazed windows in a 2-bedroom home is about £2,500. In UPVC frames, prices vary substantively depending on frame materials (Aluminium and UPVC options as standard.) If you own a four-bedroom house with fifteen windows and want triple-glazed panes installed on all windows, the installation will cost you anywhere from £6,500 to £8,000 – depending on profiles and frames.

Why Should I Consider Using Triple-Glazed Windows?

Well, it depends on what you are looking to attain. However, if what you are looking for is an ultra-quiet and more energy-efficient home, then triple-glazed windows are the way to go. If you expect your windows will pay for themselves almost immediately, then you’re bound to be disappointed since their cost savings will accumulate over the years. However, if you’re just looking to replace your windows, then the cost of installing triple-glazing is comparable to that of having double-glazed units installed. However, if you want to have your windows triple-glazed, there’s no reason why you should not. The important thing is that you have it done by an expert. Just go on Google and search ‘triple-glazed windows.’

What if I Already Have Double-glazed Windows?

Is it possible to have them turned into triple-glazed ones? It is! There are companies in the market that do this. However, when seeking these services, make sure you check out at least three different service providers before choosing any. While we cannot tell how much it will cost, one thing we know is that it can be costly, but not as much as having new windows installed. Triple-glazed windows remain to be a fancy prospect and are something you should consider as a homeowner looking to make their home quieter and more energy efficient.

Comment (1)

PRO
YES Glazing Solutions
4 years ago
Interesting article Melissa, although I think you need to put some numbers in to provide more facts...

Costs for triple glazing are regularly twice the cost of double glazing, but as it becomes more common, costs can be a little as from 20 to 40% more compared to double glazed windows. In the UK, it is generally considered not cold enough (certainly not all year round) to make the savings on heating worth the extra cost. The estimate in annual savings is only £20 - £40, so it would take years (decades even!) to make the heating bill savings pay back. The life of the windows would perhaps be shorter! To give an example, if it cost £5000 to double glaze a house, then triple glazing would be £6000 - £7000 (at 20 - 40% more) so at the lowest cost (£6000) and highest savings of £40/year, it would take 25 years to make the savings back!

The insulation improvements in terms of U-values: triple can be as low as 0.5 W/m²k (although typically 0.8 W/m²k ), double typically 1.2 to 1.6 W/m²k and single 5.0 W/m²k. As you pointed out, the frames also need to be insulated (thermally broken) to save energy successfully. Frame profiles with more compartments offer the best insulation. Our Residence Collection R9 uPVC windows for instance have nine compartments to protect against heat loss.

Other steps can be taken to improve the energy ratings though... Double glazing can be greatly improved to provide better insulation with the addition of special coatings or layers on the glass. As you pointed out, using Krypton gas instead of Argon between the panes will also help, although this does come at a higher price - our Crittall windows come with Krypton gas between the panes. Adding integral blinds between the glass panes can also help improve U-values and gives a very practical and dust-free blind solution to provide privacy and shade when required.

The noise reduction in triple glazing will only be properly effective if the gaps between the glazing or the glass thickness for each pane is different so that sound waves of different wavelengths get blocked. Nearly every triple glazed unit available is uniform in glass thickness and have equidistant space between panels, so noise reduction is not as effective as it could be. Having one of the panels of glass laminated (6.8mm thick) and others standard 4mm or 6mm will help reduce noise considerably and this can be achieved just with double glazing quite effectively - thus the extra cost of triple glazing for noise reduction purposes is probably not worth it. Note also that the building’s envelope system plays a crucial role with acoustic performance, making proper installation critical to ensure any sound proof glazing is effective.

Special acoustic glass can be specified in double or triple glazed units, which can be highly effective in noise reduction. Be sure to ask your window installer for options such as acoustic glazing if say you live near a busy or noisy road or perhaps an airport. Saint-Gobain, one of our glass suppliers, produce Stadip Silence which offers beautifully transparent noise control glazing.

Hopefully, I didn't put you all off triple glazing, it certainly has its place. With a Passivhaus system, that has properly insulated building materials and can utilise large windows strategically placed to naturally warm a house with solar gain, there is sense in the investment. (Larger windows would need to be better insulated.) Triple glazing however, actually slightly reduces the absorption of heat from the Sun, so it's a weigh off game again of cost versus actual benefits. The British weather may not be sunny enough though to make such housing or viable solar gain practical anyway :-(

It's a great talking point though Melissa and hopefully means people will look at all their options before making any window purchases. As always, YES Glazing Solutions (https://www.yesglazing.co.uk) are happy to provide a no-obligation quote for anybody looking to install new windows in their property.
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Triple-Glazed Windows Facts

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