Nowadays, it’s impossible to get new windows for your home without hearing about double or triple glazing. But what do these terms mean? And are triple glazed windows better just because they sound like they are? With the recent energy price hike, which will cost you less in bills? Ultimately, both types of glazing perform exceptionally. It’s not really a case of which is better, but rather which one is right for your home. In our guide to help you decide, we’ll be comparing them on:
Energy efficiency
Noise reduction
Cost
Security
What is double and triple glazing?
Both double and triple glazed windows have multiple panes of glass fixed inside their frames. Double-glazed windows have two panes. Triple-glazed have, you guessed it, three panes. The space between the panes is filled by either a vacuum, or a gas such as argon or krypton.
Both types of glazing are designed to reduce heat loss, noise and UV rays. They assure that your home retains heat in the Winter and stays cool in the Summer. Double glazed windows have been the most popular windows for UK homes since the 1970s, but how does their performance compare to triple glazed windows?
Is triple glazing more energy efficient than double glazing?
Both types of glazing boast low uValues, which represent the rate that heat transmits through them. The lower the uValue, the less heat gets through the glass, the more energy efficient the window is. This, of course, also means lower energy prices across the long winter ahead!
Most double-glazed windows have uValues between 1.5 and 3.5 W/m2K, while some triple-glazed windows have uValues as staggeringly low as 0.8 W/m2K. This makes them suited to the cold South East winters. With A+ energy ratings, triple-glazing is sure to keep out any draughts and keep your home cosy in the Winter.
Does triple glazing reduce noise better than double glazing?
Double-glazed windows possess incredibly effective soundproofing qualities. This is down to the space between the two panes. The larger the gap, the harder it is for sound to spill through. This effect is enhanced if one of the panes is thicker than the other.
While double-glazed windows’ soundproofing is impressive, investing in triple-glazed windows will give you that next level in performance. If you live in a particularly noisy area, in the heart of a city or next to a motorway, triple-glazed windows are a fantastic addition to your home. If you live in a quiet suburban cul-de-sac, double-glazed will probably do just fine.
Is triple glazing more expensive than double glazing?
Triple-glazed windows obviously use more glass to manufacture. As such, they are more expensive than double-glazed windows, but they are more than worth it for the money you’ll save on heating bills in the long run! The time there’s an energy price hike, you won’t feel the impact as bad.
Are triple glazed windows more secure than double glazed windows?
Most double-glazed and triple-glazed windows come with multi-point locking systems to keep your home safe from intruders. Their glass will also be resilient to harsh force and heavy weather all year round.
However, the extra layer of glass in a triple-glazed window gives them an unrivalled strength against forced entry. The robust center pane strengthens the window’s surface area, making it almost impossible to smash. For maximum security, you won’t get better than triple-glazing.