Triple Glazing Windows - Your Guide
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With a growing number of renovators looking at ways to make their homes as energy efficient as possible, we are seeing a rise in the installation of triple glazing windows.
A renovation is the perfect time to replace your old windows if they are old and inefficient, so we look at the key things to consider when choosing triple glazing windows and whether they are the best option for your home.
If you are thinking about a renovation project in the near future and need some help with where to start with your project, try our renovation advice session.
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What Is The Difference Between Double And Triple Glazing?
Triple glazing windows have three panes of glass with two gaps between them, compared to double glazing which has two panes of glass with one gap.
Similar to double glazing, the gap between the panes is typically filled with a gas such as argon, with gas having a better thermal efficiency than air which is the most.
The extra layer of glass and additional gap in triple glazing windows have many benefits, with the main advantages being improved thermal efficiency and a reduction in noise from outside.
Rebecca Clayton of IQ Glass explains what you need to consider when choosing triple glazing windows instead of double glazing.
"Triple glazing includes 50% more glass than the equivalent double glazed installation. This will effect the cost of the installation. But more importantly, the weight of the glass needs to be considered. With a 50% increase in the weight of the glass unit it is important to understand the impact that this weight increase will have on the framing and the useability of the glass installation." explains Rebecca.
"We recommend that any sliding door over 500kg be automated. This threshold is more likely to be reached using a triple glazed unit. You may also limit the size possible for hinged casement windows or doors as these frames are only designed to hold a specific weight of glass."
Triple Glazing Windows By IQ Glass
Is It Worth Getting Triple Glazing?
With windows and doors being one of the biggest areas of heat loss in the home, improving their efficiency by replacing old windows with triple glazing will result in lower energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
Not only will triple glazing windows do a better job keeping the cold air out in the winter, they will also keep your home cooler in the hot months as they will stop the hot air coming in. You will particularly notice an improvement in heat efficiency if you are replacing single glazed windows.
With triple glazing windows around 40% more energy efficient than the same specification double glazed window, they are a sustainable choice and, alongside other improvements in insulation and energy efficient choices, will improve the overall efficiency of your home.
Many homeowners find that one of the biggest benefits of triple glazing is the noise reduction. So if you live in an urban area next to a main road, triple glazing may be worth the investment for the noise reduction alone.
With triple glazing windows costing around 20 - 30% more than double glazing, for many it's an investment that might not be worth it. Triple glazing has been popular in Scandinavian countries where the cold winters are harsh, therefore the additional layer of glazing is essential. However, in the UK where the cold winters don't tend to get too cold for prolonged periods, triple glazing may not be seen as essential.
For many, triple glazing is considered a good option if you have the additional budget, similar to other investments such as underfloor heating and heat pumps. If you are striving to make your home as energy efficient as possible then triple glazing windows will help towards this goal, with the additional investment being less of a consideration.
Ryan Lewis of Green Building Store explains how important triple glazing windows are in an energy efficient home.
"Triple glazed windows and doors are an essential component of good low energy homes and buildings such as those built to the Passivhaus standard." says Ryan.
"They are good for the efficiency of the building giving us the optimum energy balance. For many, the greatest value will come from the increase in comfort which triple glazing brings."
Triple Glazing Windows In An Aluclad Frame By Green Building Store
What Should I Look Out For When Choosing Triple Glazing Windows?
When choosing any new windows, it's important to consider the u-value which is the rate at which heat passes through the window - the lower the u-value, the more efficient the window is.
Building regulations state that the u-value of a replacement window should be no more than 1.6 W/m²K. Typically, double glazed windows will have a u-value of around 1.2 W/m²K and triple glazed windows should be below 1 W/m²K, with some being as low as 0.5 W/m²K.
The efficiency of your triple glazing is not just dependent on the glass itself but also on other factors including:
- The material of the frames, with timber and PVCu being more energy efficient than aluminium
- The air tightness of the frames and whether there are any air leaks around the frames and seals which could contribute to them being inefficient
- What the gaps between the glazing are filled with - argon is a far better insulator than air
- High solar gain and low-E glass will improve the glazing's ability to capture the sun's rays and stop the heat from escaping, reflecting it back into the room
So when you are choosing triple glazing windows, make sure you buy from a reputable company where the energy efficiency of the entire window and frame is considered.
The best guide is the BFRC rating which tells you how energy efficient the windows are. Energy Efficient windows are rated 'A++' (the most efficient) to 'E'. You would expect reputable triple glazing to have an energy efficiency of at least A+.
Triple Glazing Sliding Doors by IQ Glass
What Is The Cost Of Triple Glazing Windows?
The cost of triple glazing will vary depending on the material and style of the frame, however expect to pay around 20 - 30% more for triple glazing than the same specification of double glazed window.
Are There Any Homes That Don't Benefit From Triple Glazing Windows?
In period properties where other parts of the home are not well insulated, it may not be worth the investment in triple glazing. This is particularly true for wooden sash windows where the cost is even higher and they are normally fitted in older homes where the walls are not thermally broken.
Can I have Triple Glazing With Any Material And Style Of Frame?
Similar to double glazing, you can have triple glazed windows with PVCu, wooden, aluminium or alu-clad frames.
Does Triple Glazing Add Value To Your Home?
Although triple glazing is unlikely to add value to your home, an energy efficient home will be more appealing to prospective buyers as we strive to reduce our carbon footprint.
Triple Glazing Sliding Doors By Green Building Store
What Are The Advantages Of Triple Glazing?
The benefits of installing triple glazing including:
- With less heat loss, triple glazing should make your home warmer
- The improved efficiency should lower your energy bills, reducing your homes carbon footprint
- Triple glazing will help with noise reduction which is beneficial if you live in an urban area or on a busy road
- With an extra pane of glazing and therefore a warmer window, you should should expect less condensation
- The window should be more secure and harder to break than double glazing
Are There Any Disadvantages Of Triple Glazing?
Although there are mainly benefits of triple glazing, there are some drawbacks to consider:
- A more expensive option where the energy savings will not offset the additional costs in the short term
- Triple glazing may not be worth the investment in an inefficient home
- With the additional pane of glass, the window will be heavy which will put a strain on the frames, hinges and walls. There is an additional cost to ensure the frames can take the additional strain and in some instances in old properties, the walls may not be able to take the additional weight.
Published: February 1, 2023
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