Double VS Triple Glazing – Is The Extra Layer Worth The Investment?

If you’ve undertaken home renovation, chances are, you’ve been struggling to choose between double and triple glazing. When shifting homes or considering giving your house a makeover, updating elements is essential to not only add to the market value of your home but also to make it more energy efficient.

When we pit double glazing against triple, there’s more at stake energy consumption wise and overall cost-wise that can help you save more as you make green choices.

It also comes down to the kind of central heating you’ve installed, whether you have flat panel radiators or column. When you put things into perspective, you’ll see if you can suffice with two panes of glass on your windows and doors or three. You need to find out about the level of insulation you need to benefit from the investment you are about to make.

To help you make a sound decision, we will discuss the key points of double vs triple glazing. But first, let’s see what triple glazing is all about.

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Triple Glaze Explained

Put simply, triple glazing equips your windows and doors with advanced energy-saving features as it offers state of the art insulation to keep the ambient warm air in while keeping unwanted noise out.

The vacuum or the cavity that exists between each of the double and triple panes is caulked with argon, krypton or xenon. This helps create a secure seal that decreases the draft and keeps the heat from escaping your home.

Double VS Triple Glazing – Key Differences

As the name suggests, double glazing consists of two panes whereas triple glazing has three layers of glass panes installed in your windows and doors. However, there are additional differences that come into play here when you’re looking to receive the maximum benefit from your investment.

Let’s see what these are!

Energy-Saving/Conserving

You probably already know this, but the main reason to switch from single glazing to double is to benefit from the increased energy efficiency that the additional layer offers.

That said, triple glazing will enhance your existing level of energy efficiency. 1/4 of heat loss in households happens through windows so optimising your home insulation is essential. This will ensure that there’s very little heat loss in your home which means your flat panel convector radiator doesn’t have to work too hard to maintain comfortable temperatures.

The extra pane of glass plays its role well. It not only minimises the heat loss in your home but also sustains the cosy and comfortable warmth in a room, thanks to the inert gases filled in its cavities.

It’s important however to remember that simply upgrading your windows to conserve energy isn’t enough. There are other problem areas in your home through which heat loss can occur. Ensure that you fix those with loft, door, floor and roof insulation to help maximise the benefit you can derive from triple glazing.

Reduction of Noise

If you live in a noisy neighbourhood, then installing an upgraded level of glazing will surely help. While double glazing does its job well, with triple glazing, you’ll be able to enhance the extent of noise reduction even further.

There are few key points though, that you should keep in mind:

The overall thickness and density of the glazing is crucial to a sound and successful insulation. By opting for asymmetrical glazing, you can reduce the different types of noises that emanate from outside. The different levels of thickness help block sound frequencies at different levels.
The size of the cavity between the glass panes also play an important role in keeping things quiet at your home. The larger the cavity, the better its noise reduction prowess will be.
If you have trickle ventilators installed in your home, it will sabotage any noise reduction you’ve achieved with your double and triple glazing efforts.

Triple glazing while comparatively more effective than double glazing costs more. Speak to a professional heating expert to ensure that you make the right choice. This is important because at times, double glazing with proper gaps between glass panes works wonders to keep your home well-insulated.

Comparing Costs

With double vs triple glazing, cost can be a deciding factor as you evaluate the benefits you stand to receive from its installation. Triple glazing is more expensive than double glazing for obvious reasons. The manufacturing technique along with the materials used costs more, which explains the difference when comparing costs.

With both double and triple glazing, you won’t see the return on investment, at least not immediately. It’s a long haul and your level of comfort takes precedence over here.

That said, if you need a premium level of energy efficiency, then go for triple glazing. If not, double glazing will work just fine for you.

To Sum Up

These are the 3 key aspects that’ll ultimately help you make your decision easy. Depending on what your biggest and most important requirement is will help you determine the type of glazing that’s most suited to your needs.

Ensure that you do your research and also consult a professional to make a sound decision.