When you are looking to improve the energy rating of your home, there will often be a toss-up between double glazed and triple glazed windows. Which will be a better fit for your home?
Triple glazed windows are comprised of 3 panes of glass with an air or insulating gas, such as argon, in the gap between them. Due to the extra layer, triple glazing improves your building seal and reduces heat loss. Meaning your home stays warmer, for longer, using less fuel. It also has the added benefit of reducing outside noise significantly.
What’s In This Guide?
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Contents
Are Triple Glazed Windows Worth It?
‘It depends’ is never an answer people like hearing, but if you already have modern double glazing, the energy savings and increased level of comfort you’ll enjoy, won’t be huge.
But if you are upgrading from single pane windows, older insulated glazing or the sound of a motorway is driving you crazy, definitely consider it. It could make the world of difference.
How Much Does Triple-Glazing Cost?
Since there is an extra pane of glass and extra gas required to install a triple glazed window, the cost is quite naturally more than that of a double or single pane window. And as a rule of thumb, you can expect to pay about a third more for triple glazing.
We’ve a table of rough estimates below to give you an idea of prices, but the reality is that you’ll need to get quotes from local suppliers as there are a huge range of factors that affect the price.
The price of a triple glazed windows is not calculated by the size and larger windows will often be better value than several smaller ones. Naturally enough, the more windows you purchase and have installed at once, the more the price will come down too.
How Much Will You Save?
While we are collating data on triple glazed windows for the British market, here are the adjusted figures sourced from the UK’s Energy Saving Trust for typical savings.
Double Glazed vs Triple Glazed
Triple glazing provides all the benefits and advantages of double glazing and then some with improved heat retention and reduced noise insulation. But is it worth it? That really depends on your budget and your priorities.
Window Surface Temperature
The Testing Institute of Rosenheim carried out a study on the internal surface temperature of different types of glazing in extremely cold weather conditions to see how they performed.
With little difference between modern double and triple pane windows you’ll have to decide if the extra 2°C will be enough to justify the extra spend.
U Value
We use U value to measure how much heat escapes through a window, with a lower number meaning a higher heat retention. Below you can see how triple glazed windows shape up against the competition.
But remember that window u-values will vary between manufacturers due to methods of manufacturing.
The Costs
Whilst it’s a tricky business giving “average prices” for triple glazing, below you can see a rule of thumb guide to pricing. Again, this is just to give you a ball park figure and quotes from local suppliers will be more informative.
Comparisons below use uPVC frames.
Despite their better insulating qualities of triple glazed windows, you can expect to wait longer before you see an ROI on your investment due to the higher price.
The Advantages
Triple glazed windows, when paired with a well insulated home, provide an increased level of comfort and savings on your energy bill and are often recommended by EPC assessors.
For those living near major roads or under the flight path of planes, triple glazed windows will make a significant difference to the level of peace and quiet you enjoy at home.
Due to the window composition of three panes and 2 layers of trapped insulating gas, the inner pane of glass is able to retain it’s heat stopping the build up of condensation.
Triple glazed windows offer far more strength than double or single pane equivalents and are much more difficult to break. Some companies in Germany and the UK who use tempered glass, give money back guarantees should a burglar break in via one of their windows.
The Disadvantages
Many homeowners will baulk at the extra cost of triple glazed windows and if not paired with a super insulated home, the energy savings won’t make it a worthwhile investment.
There is a train of thought that in our temperate climate, that triple-glazing is a bit overboard and more suited to Canada and the Nordic regions.
As light must pass through more glass in the triple-glazing, there is a slight reduction in how bright your rooms will be.
Triple Glazing Companies in the UK
Whilst double glazed windows have become very popular in recent years and the number of British companies producing and fitting triple glazing is still limited, if you do decide to invest in triple glazed windows, you won’t regret it.