Double or Triple Glazing for Windows?

It’s often hard to decide between double and triple window glazing. Both choices are excellent. They bring comfort indoors and enhance energy efficiency. It’s fair to say that triple glazing maximizes comfort and minimizes expenses. Then again, triple-glass panes are not always the best choice. Sometimes, double glazing is a better option, believe it or not. It depends on your needs, your home’s location, the family’s budget, and the project, whether this is a new window installation or a replacement job.

The facts are the following: both options have advantages but also disadvantages. And so, it’s best if we first unveil their characteristics and differences to understand what you need for your home.

Main Differences between Triple and Double Window Glazing

The main difference between double and triple glazing is obvious. That’s the number of panes the window has. Double-glazing windows have two panes while triple-glazing windows have three panes.

In simple words, this means that the home has better protection with three panes. Triple-glazed windows are harder to break. They offer better energy efficiency. And they can better reduce external noises.

Triple-glazed windows have higher energy efficiency ratings, just due to the presence of the three panes. But there’s one more factor that defines their high ratings. That’s the gas found between the panes. Between the glass panes, there’s a gap that is filled with a special gas – usually argon. The gas lets the sunlight pass through and keeps internal heat from escaping. Since triple-glazed windows have two gaps filled with gas compared to double-glazed windows that only have one, their energy savings are higher and thus, your energy bills are lower.

When double-glazing windows are a one-way street

While triple-glazing windows are overall better for higher energy savings, they are not ideal for all cases. Let’s examine two common cases.

If this is a window glass replacement project, triple-glazing is likely not for you. That’s taken that the existing window has double glazing. It makes sense to say that triple glazing needs more space. If the window structure allows for a double glass pane, that’s what will only fit.
Double glazing windows are more popular, at least nowadays. And so, most windows are designed to use double glazing. This means that you can find more window designs, types, and styles with double than triple glazing.

The disadvantages of triple and double-glazing windows

Now that we have talked about the advantages of double and triple-glazed windows, let’s talk about their disadvantages. As a matter of fact, we have already viewed the downside of double-glazing windows compared to triple glazed ones. They stand a tad behind in terms of energy efficiency, resistance to breaking, and noise reduction – but only a tad.

The disadvantage of getting triple glazing for your living room or basement window installation is the cost. Assuming triple glazing fits the structure, the cost will be higher. But mind you, this is the upfront cost. In the long run, the higher energy savings will compensate for the initial high price.

It’s fair to say that triple glazing is also heavier. This means that the window frame must be sturdy. And the window installers should be experienced.

How to decide on your home windows

Sometimes, the facts dictate our steps. Like when you need the broken double glass panes of your aluminum windows replaced. In such cases, you will get only what fits. In this case, double glazing.

But how about if this is a new home or remodeling that would involve the installation of brand new windows?

Think of your budget first. If you cannot afford triple glazing, remember that double glazing does an excellent job in regard to saving energy too.
Mix & match. Choose triple-glazed windows for the most exposed sides of the house. And get double-glazed windows for the rest.
It depends on the region’s climate. If you live in an area with a mild climate, you would be just fine with double-glazing windows.
Do you live in a busy street? If you want to reduce noise as much as possible, triple-glazed laminated windows will offer a 40DB noise reduction compared to double-glazing 37DB reduction.

If you think about it, this is not really a dilemma. Different glazing is required in different homes for different reasons. So, start by weighing your personal needs, goals, and circumstances. And remember, both solutions are great. The important thing is to upgrade your windows.