Replacing windows is a fantastic investment in the longevity and appearance of your property. But it’s not just about looks or resale value, as important as they might be. Getting your windows right can save you time and hassle later, and the right glazing can make your home a joy to occupy.
So why go for triple glazing over double glazing, when so many people make do with the latter? Here are some key points to consider when making that choice.
Understanding the Difference
Double glazing has two panes of glass with spacer bars, and triple glazing has three. Taken completely bare, and in factory conditions, triple glazing offers around 30 per cent better energy efficiency when compared to double glazing.
It’s possible to purchase quadruple glazed windows, but most people would not see a good return on investment in a home. The efficiency rating – or U-value – is not significantly different, and the windows themselves are incredibly heavy.
Energy Efficiency
Window manufacturers must display an energy efficiency rating for their windows. This is the same ‘rainbow’ scale that you’ll have seen on domestic appliances. The most energy efficient products are labelled A, while the least are labelled G. In the UK, manufacturers can only sell windows rated C or above.
Triple glazing actually cuts down on the amount of sunlight that gets into the room, making it slightly darker. In a dark room, you’ll gain on efficiency, but you might have to put the lights on earlier, so it’s a trade-off. If you have single glazing, or very old double glazing, in a dark space, new double glazing is likely to be a better choice.
External Noise
People forget that your windows are responsible for cutting out a lot of ambient noise. If you live near a busy road and buy a house with single glazed windows, an upgrade to triple glazing will have a huge and noticeable effect on the amount of traffic noise.
This is perhaps the biggest reason to go for triple over double.
Comfort
Double glazing creates a strange effect in our homes. The U-value of the windows is very different to the walls, and that can cause patches of air that are noticeably colder. Triple glazing has a much lower U-value – closer to the values of solid walls – meaning those cold spots are less likely to appear.
This may also mean less condensation in the long run, which is good news for your window frames.
Final Considerations
Triple glazing is more expensive than double glazing, as you’d expect. But the exact composition of either window type may vary. You might have a special type of glass, ‘warm edge’ spacers, an insulated frame and/or an argon gas filling between the panes.
When balancing double and triple glazing, ask your manufacturer to give you exactly the same specs on both so you can see a precise cost comparison – right down to the locks and handles. You’ll then need to balance this against the convenience, and possibly the noise reduction, as well as the slight efficiency improvement.
If you’re still not sure which one to choose, speak to Hamiltons today for advice. We’re experts in recommending the right windows, whatever your property or purpose.
