Replacement windows are a huge investment. You want something that looks good, functions well, and doesn’t break the bank. But replacing your windows is also a great opportunity to make some changes that can improve your home. How?
Windows can help keep noise outside, let more light inside, and make your home more energy efficient. The choice comes down to whether you want double pane glass or triple pane glass replacement windows. This guide breaks it all down and will help you figure out which type of window is best for your home.
Key Takeaways
- Energy efficiency and soundproofing differ between double and triple pane windows.
- Double pane glass windows are a budget-friendly option.
- Triple pane windows offer more energy efficiency and soundproofing than double pane windows but cost more.
What Are Double Pane Windows?
Double pane windows, also known as double glazed windows, consist of a frame and two glass panes. The gap between the planes is filled with either air or gas. The gap helps insulate homes throughout the year, keeping them warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Because a double pane window only has two glass panes, it doesn’t reduce noise as much as triple pane glass windows can and are easier to break. However, having only two layers of glass means more natural light can enter the home.
Double pane windows are also generally less expensive than triple pane windows. This is due largely to the additional materials in a triple pane window and that triple pane windows often require stronger frames to support the increased weight of a triple pane window.
It’s these reasons that make double pane windows more popular with homeowners and builders. They’re affordable while still offering decent soundproofing and energy efficiency.
What Are Triple Pane Windows?
Triple pane windows, or triple glazed windows, consist of a frame and three panes of glass. This additional glass plane dampens sound more than a double pane window can and increases energy efficiency. However, this extra plane increases the cost of a triple pane window as well as its weight.
Because triple pane windows require more materials, they take a bit more to manufacture, which is reflected in the overall cost. But triple pane windows can last longer than double pane windows and tend to be more energy efficient. So, paying more for triple pane windows now can pay off in terms of energy efficiency and replacement costs in the long run. And though triple pane windows aren’t unbreakable, they are harder to break, thanks to the third glass pane.
While triple pane windows offer more noise reduction than double pane windows, triple pane windows can reflect more natural light away from the home, which can cause some rooms to look dimmed.
Installing Double and Triple Pane Windows
Installing a double pane or triple pane window is generally the same process, but triple pane windows may require additional support for the frame because they are heavier. But no matter what kind of window you choose, proper installation is crucial to ensure long-term performance.
How Long Do Double and Triple Pane Windows Last?
Assuming your windows are installed correctly, double and triple pane windows should last a long time — anywhere from 15 to 30 years. As windows age, the seal starts to weaken and fail, which is how you get drafts or even water inside the window.
What About Single Pane Windows?
Single pane windows are exactly what they sound like: a window with a single pane of glass. While they are a budget-friendly option and come in a variety of colors and styles, a single pane window is the least energy efficient and lets in more noise than double and triple pane windows.
Comparing Double Pane to Triple Pane Windows
| Double Pane Windows | Triple Pane Windows | |
| Affordability | Budget-friendly option | More expensive upfront but can pay off in long run with savings |
| Energy Efficiency | Yes, but not as much as triple pane windows | Yes, more than double pane windows |
| Sound dampening | Yes, but not as much as triple pane windows | Yes, more than double pane windows |
| Durable | Yes | Yes |
| Secure | Yes, but not as much as triple pane windows | Yes, more than double pane windows |
| Natural light comes through | Yes, more than triple pane windows | Yes, but not as much as double pane windows |
| Life span | 15 – 30 years | 15 – 30 years |
Should I Replace My Windows?
Replacing your windows is a significant investment that offers many benefits. It can boost the sales price of your home and save on your heating and cooling costs. But are those good enough reasons to replace them?
If you have single pane windows, replacing them with double or triple pane windows is likely worth it, even if the single pane windows are in mint condition. Double and triple pane windows will be significantly more energy efficient and offer more sound reduction.
However, if you have double paned windows that are in good shape, replacing them with triple pane windows may not be worth the extra investment. While you’ll likely get increased noise reduction and more energy efficiency, the step up in cost may not be worth what you get. But if it’s time to replace your double pane windows, triple glass windows may be worth it.
Which Windows are Best for Homes in the Pacific Northwest?
No matter what kind of windows you have, they cover about 8% of your home’s surface. And that 8% can make a huge difference in how hot or cold your home is. Windows can be a significant source of passive heat loss, meaning they let the heat escape from your home. And in the winter, average highs in the PNW may hover at or below freezing.
While triple pane windows cost more than double paned ones, one study found that triple paned windows do a better job of keeping homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Homes with triple pane windows used 12.2% less energy throughout the year. That breaks down to 11.6% in the winter and 18.4% in the summer. And during peak use times in summer, these homes used nearly 25% less energy.
The downside is that it can take 20 or more years before investing in triple-pane windows pays off, and that trade-off may not be worth it for everyone.
However, technological advances are bringing down the cost of triple pane windows, putting them within reach of more homeowners and builders. And this is important because as more cities adopt more stringent energy codes, triple pane windows can help builders meet these standards.
