As electric utilities continue to push for rate hikes, it’s never been more crucial for homeowners to design an energy-efficient living space. To that end, you may want to consider upgrading your home’s windows.
According to the Department of Energy, 30% of every household’s heating escapes through windows. In the cooling months, plenty of sunlight enters your home through window openings and messes up with your indoor temperatures.
Experts recommend putting up coverings to manage energy loss. However, more often than not, the main issue lies with your house’s standard window installations.
Keep reading if you’re considering triple vs double pane windows for your home. Below, we’ll share everything you need to know about these window types, from their pros and cons to their expected costs.
What are Double Pane and Triple Pane Windows?
Your windows do more than brighten your home. With the right installation, they also help lessen energy loss, minimize UV rays, reduce outdoor noise, and increase your house’s protection against the weather.
The type of window can massively affect how much benefit you can gain, though.
Single-paned windows are quite common in older residential and commercial buildings. However, virtually every new establishment and homes use double or triple-glazed windows for improved energy efficiency.
Triple Pane Windows vs Double Pane Windows
Double-paned windows feature two panes of glass (also called glaze) instead of one. The two glasses are divided by a spacer leaving a gap between them.
This space is then filled with an insulating gas to control heat transfer between the building’s interior and exterior.
In comparison, triple-paned windows consist of three sheets of glass. That’s three layers of protective glaze and two insulating air cavities.
As with the double variant, the gaps inside triple-glazed windows are loaded with inert gas to manage heat transfer and enhance energy efficiency.
Most manufacturers use non-toxic gasses like Argon or Krypton to fill gaps between window glazes. They’re dense, colorless, and odorless, helping increase thermal window performance without affecting functionality.
Double vs Triple Pane Windows: What’s The Difference?
While a double and triple-glazed window looks the same at first glance, their advantages for your home vary significantly.
Whether you’re looking for more comfort amidst unpredictable weather or a way to cut down on your electricity expenses, below are some key considerations you should know about.
Insulation Performance
Compared to single panes, double-paned windows will have a better insulation capability because they have twice as much glass.
For similar reasons, triple-paned windows have more layers than the double-glazed variants, so they usually offer the highest level of insulation for your home.
The U-factor represents the thermal resistance of an object. It tells you how much heat flow or heat loss a window material will resist. The lower the U-factor, the better the insulation it can offer.
Ideally, you want your windows to have a U-factor of .30 or lower. The good news is that many high-quality double-paned windows have a .30 rating, while some triple-paned windows have as low as a .15 U-factor.
Both double and triple-paned windows excel at blocking sun radiation which plays a significant role in heating your home indoors.
Energy Efficiency
The window material and glazing typically dictate how well they regulate energy loss. Generally speaking, you want windows that have multiple panes of glasses for optimal energy-saving performance.
Double-pane windows work great at maintaining temperatures inside your home because of their high insulation capacity. This way, your AC unit won’t work as much to regulate heat so you can stay toasty even in the freezing months.
Triple-paned windows boast even more energy-efficient properties with their extra layers. This translates to more money-saving potential than both single and double-glazed commercial windows.
Besides cheaper electric bills, the added glaze and air cavities of triple-paned windows also mean superior thermal regulation, making it easier to maintain a cozy indoor temperature all year round.
For better energy-saving results, you may consider your residential or commercial building’s window placements. You can choose specific window types depending on where the window is facing and the general climate you’re getting.
If you live in a colder climate zone, your home will benefit from products with the lowest U-factor rating. A high Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) with the lowest U-factor is also preferable for south-facing windows to maximize heat gain in the winter season.
For those living in warmer regions, windows with lots of shade (low SHGC) and low U-factor are best for keeping the optimal temperatures indoors. South-facing windows, for one, are the most prone to receiving more solar glare.
Noise Reduction
To people looking for the best noise-reduction features, triple-paned windows are the way to go. The thicker construction and the extra pane provide a considerable improvement in blocking unwanted outdoor noises.
This capability can be incredibly helpful if you live in high-traffic urban areas.
Of course, double-pane windows do a decent job of blocking out sound pollution, too. The day-to-day bustle of a busy street will hardly disrupt your everyday activities.
So, unless your home situation demands dead silence, double-pane windows may be the smarter choice to save costs.
Standard single-glazed windows are typically rated 26 out of 38, the highest Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating. By contrast, double-pane windows are rated 32, while triple-pane windows reach as high as 34.
Lighting and Ambiance
In many cases, your home’s lighting quality is influenced by the type of windows you have installed. It’s a factor you may consider if you’re gunning for a specific ambiance.
Depending on the design, triple-paned windows generally let in less natural light. That means they can make your indoor spaces appear darker, even during the day.
If you prefer a brighter aesthetic to your living room or office, double-pane windows allow more light to pass through with less glazing blocking the way.
Durability and Weather Protection
But what about durability? How long does a double-paned window last compared to its thicker triple-layered alternative?
A standard residential double-glazed window can last up to 20 years with proper maintenance. That’s significantly longer than a single-pane window’s average 15-year lifespan.
The double-sheet construction can withstand constant high winds and rain with ease.
Triple-paned windows, on the other hand, are exceptionally durable products. With regular care, they can last up to 30 years or longer, making them an outstanding pick for both commercial and residential purposes.
These multi-layered window types are especially effective in areas with extreme weather conditions.
In colder regions with harsh winters, triple-glass windows can minimize condensation, which can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
Warmer states can benefit from a triple-glazed window’s thicker construction, too. They provide the best UV protection, blocking harmful rays that can otherwise damage indoor furniture.
Home Security
If home security is one of your primary concerns, having high-quality windows in place is a fantastic way to soothe your worries.
Triple-glass windows are incredibly tough, which makes them better at protecting your home or business office against break-ins. The multiple sheets of glaze are much harder to crack and the window continues to work even if one of the glass breaks.
Many double-paned products also offer upgraded laminated options which further strengthen the glass against forced access. Some window designs come with PVB interlayer for added impact protection as well.
Ease of Installation
Triple-glass windows are heavier and bulkier than double or single-paned products. This means they’re much more difficult and can take more time to set up.
Careful architectural planning is a must when considering triple-paned windows as they involve plenty of pitfalls that may cost you more money than you previously planned.
Between the two, double-paned products are by far the easiest to install. They’re lightweight and take significantly less time to set up than their bulky counterparts.
In both cases, you need your entire home or commercial building switched to double or triple-paned glasses to reap their benefits. Otherwise, drafts will continue to seep in and mess with your indoor temperature regulation.
Triple Pane vs Double Pane Cost Breakdown
Before calling your contractor to replace your windows, you’ll need to first establish a budget. You want to have a rough idea of the cost of the materials and how much you’re willing to spend on installation.
When planning a budget, you also need to consider giving yourself a buffer in cases of unforeseen costs, such as adding fresh insulation to your wall cavity.
Note that there may be quite a price difference between double and triple pane windows.
Standard double-pane windows cost between $400 and $2,000 per window. Most homeowners pay around $6,000 to $40,000 to upgrade an entire home.
In comparison, triple-paned windows use more materials so they’re understandably more expensive than double-glazed products.
A triple-pane installation project for a home with 15 to 20 windows can run from $6,000 to $60,000. Homeowners pay $450 on the low end and as high as $3,000 per window on the higher end.
Where in those ranges you fall largely depends on several factors, such as your frame material, window size, and aesthetic you want to achieve. For labor, you can expect to pay $100 to $800 per window.
Double vs Triple Glazing Frame Cost
Aluminum is an affordable frame material costing $200 to $700 per window. Composite, fiberglass, wood, and vinyl are all on the pricier side, typically priced between $400 to $2,500.
Frame materials vary greatly in terms of longevity and aesthetics. They may also affect the level of temperature and sound insulation you get from your double or triple-glazed windows.
When choosing a frame, think of the upfront cost and how long the material can last. Take note of the insulation capacity, maintenance requirements, and energy efficiency to make the most of your investment.
Triple Pane Windows vs Double Pane Style and Size Cost
You may find it surprising, but the style you want to recreate can contribute to how much you’ll need to spend for a window upgrade.
The shape of the opening and the complexity of the locking mechanisms needed are some of the factors contractors look at. The more complex your windows designs are, the more you can expect to pay for an installation.
For instance, a single-hung window design will cost significantly less than a casement or bow window.
Besides the shape and style, the size of the window is another substantial contributor to your installation expense.
For medium-sized double-pane windows, homeowners can expect to pay $400 to $800 per window. Triple-pane products weigh approximately 25% to 30% heavier and can take up more installers (and labor money) to mount.
Are Triple Pane Windows Worth It?
While triple-panes cost more than double-pane windows, they do come with plenty of practical benefits like superior energy efficiency to superb soundproofing.
However, whether the investment is worth it depends on factors like your region’s climate, how well your current insulation performs, or how long you plan on staying in one place.
The considerable initial expense of triple-glass products may take several years to recoup. Moreover, for those living in temperate weather conditions, a double-pane window may make more sense.
Final Thoughts – Double or Triple Pane Windows
The average household spends over $2,000 every year on energy. But with proper insulation in place, you can save as much as 15% on your heating and cooling bills.
Upgrading your home’s windows to either double or triple-pane designs is a great step toward energy-efficient living.
That said, the many complicated considerations can easily feel overwhelming so don’t hesitate to contact Evergreen Door and Window for a free quote!
