Triple-glazed windows are a popular alternative and upgraded version of double-glazed windows. They use three panes filled with argon, krypton, or xenon gas to maximize insulation, reduce condensation, cut back on sound penetration, and more. They’re used in all homes, regardless of their age, but are they energy-efficient?
Triple-glazed windows are energy-efficient because they reduce heating costs and cut energy consumption. You don’t have to spend as much money on your energy bill since they don’t allow the sun’s heat to penetrate the glass. Also, triple-glazed windows are airtight, preventing cold wind drafts.
This article will teach you everything you need to know about the energy-efficiency of triple-glazed windows, including:
- Numerous energy-conscious advantages of switching to them
- How they compare to single and double-glazed windows
- Tips to increase the effectiveness of your triple-glazed windows
The Energy-Efficient Benefits of Triple-Glazed Windows
Triple-glazed windows save you money while limiting your environmental impact. While it might seem negligible, there’s quite a difference when you see your monthly energy bill. In fact, many people can get their investment back through energy reductions within a few years.
Let’s examine five undeniable energy-efficient benefits of installing triple-glazed windows below.
- They reduce sunlight penetration. Hazlemere explains triple-glazed windows reduce thermal penetration by upwards of 40% compared to other models. We’ll dive more into comparisons in the next section, but keep in mind that they’re much more efficient than double-glazed and single-pane windows.
- They don’t let hot or cold air escape through the glass. Argon, xenon, and krypton gas are used to increase the insulation and reduce temperature exchanges. When it’s hot outside and cold inside, you don’t have to suffer through the heat. The same applies to warm air inside and the cold air outside. They’re ultra-insulated.
- They’re airtight, preventing air from going through the edges. The airtightness of triple-glazed windows prevents the breeze from blowing through. While most of the heat comes from direct sunlight, triple-glazed windows block external airflow to maintain your desired internal ambient temperature.
- They reduce cold spots in rooms with poor insulation. Homes without good insulation tend to develop cold areas or warm patches. These windows prevent this issue from happening through the previously mentioned airflow blockage. Cold spots develop around windows with bad insulation, which isn’t a problem with triple-glazed windows.
- They’re much more durable than other windows. Energy-efficiency starts with airflow and insulation, but durability is just as important. Single-pane windows crack, allowing cold or warm air to flow through. Thanks to the three layers of glass combined with gas, triple-glazed windows are much less likely to crack than other models. This process prevents heat penetration.
As you can see, triple-glazed windows are exceptionally energy-efficient. They’re the best on the market for most consumers. You might be wondering how they stack up against your home’s windows or if they’re worth the investment. In the next section, we’ll cover the shocking differences between triple-glazed and single or double-glazed windows.
Are Triple-Glazed Windows More Efficient Than Double-Glazed Windows?
If you have an old home, but you want to improve its energy-efficiency, you’re not out of luck. You can make several changes, including adding solar panels, better insulation, and triple-glazed windows. Surprisingly, changing your windows can reduce your monthly bills and impact on the environment.
Here’s a handful of comparisons between triple-glazed windows and other styles:
- They offer up to five times more energy-efficiency than single-glazed windows. According to Pella Branch, triple-glazed windows can provide up to five times more energy-efficiency than single-pane windows. If you want direct results, you don’t need to look any further. The proof is found in numerous studies and customer reviews.
- They greatly limit temperature differentials compared to single and double-glazed windows. Glass is known for having a low thermal efficiency rating. When sunlight hits a single-pane window, it heats both sides (often magnifying the heat in the process). However, triple-glazed windows stay the same temperature inside rather than fluctuating with external conditions.
- You can save enough money through energy costs to pay yourself back, unlike the other two options. Single-pane windows are cheap, but they break easily and are unreliable. Double-glazed windows offer a few benefits, including affordability over triple-glazed windows, but they don’t cut energy costs enough to be equivalent to triple-glazed models.
- They’re designed to limit airflow much more than their competition. We’ve covered the airtightness aspect of triple-glazed windows in the previous section. Unfortunately, you won’t find the same trait in single-pane windows. If anything goes wrong around the seal, there’s no gas or an extra layer to prevent the breeze from drifting inside.
It’s no secret that triple-glazed windows are far superior to single-pane windows. They’re also significantly more energy-efficient than double-glazed windows. If you want to increase your budget for a long-term investment to help the environment and your energy bill, they’re more than worth it. You’ll also gain plenty of other benefits.
Optimal Triple-Glazing Conditions
If you want to achieve the best level of energy-efficiency, you should follow a few extra steps when you’re installing triple-glazed windows. They offer countless perks, but to get optimal results, you should protect the investment. The good news is that most installers know how to increase their effectiveness.
So, how can you improve the energy-efficiency of your triple-glazed windows?
Insulate the Area Around the Frame
Triple-glazed windows are designed to be seamless. However, it’s crucial that you insulate the walls and doors around the glass. If you don’t, they’ll only protect the window. It would be best if you combine your triple-glazed windows with high-quality insulation to create an impenetrable barrier between the inside and outside of your home.
Also, make sure your window goes deep into the frame. Ask the manufacturer or builder how low the frame sits in the wall. These small details play a significant role in the quality and effectiveness of your triple-glazed windows.
Use Them Near Excess Sunlight
If you’re only able to get a few triple-glazed windows, place them wherever your home gets the most sunshine. Direct sunlight causes thermal efficiency issues for single-pane windows. Replacing them with triple-glazed windows near areas of excess sunlight is the best way to get the most out of your new glass.
Net-zero homes are positioned to use sunlight for solar panels. If you’re converting your home, it’s best to use triple-glazed windows at every possible location. Putting them near the places where the sun rises and sets around your home will keep it insulated around the clock.
Consider Self-Cleaning Models
Pilkington explains that there are many self-cleaning triple-glazed window models. If you want to save time and energy, they’re the way to go. Self-cleaning windows have an outer coating that limits the amount of water, dirt, dust, and debris collected on the surface. Instead of blocking light and building a gross layer, you can get this style.
The primary reason self-cleaning triple-glazed windows are energy-efficient is that they reduce the energy required to clean them manually. They also prevent decaying and corrosion around the frame.
Conclusion
Triple-glazed windows are excellent for insulation, heat reduction, noise deadening, and more. They have various benefits aside from their aforementioned energy-efficiency. Many sources claim that they pay themselves off by reducing your monthly energy bill, especially when combined with high-quality wall and door insulation.
Here’s a breakdown of what this post should’ve taught you:
- Triple-glazed windows offer the best insulation available.
- Triple-glazed windows reduce your monthly bill by limiting heat penetration.
- Argon gas is found between each layer of glass to maximize its effect.
- Triple-glazed windows are up to five times more energy-efficient than double-glazed windows.
