What is the Point of Triple Glazed Windows? Monday, 21 June 2021 In a world where double glazing is thought of as pretty much standard, where does triple glazing stand? Is it a luxury product or the future of thermal technology in home building? In Scandinavia, triple glazing is now used extensively. Many new homes are built with triple glazing and it is generally acknowledged as being superior. Could this trend continue into the UK where our variation of temperature is less extreme? We explain the construction and benefits of triple glazing to dispel some myths and clarify what is the point of triple glazed windows. What are triple glazed windows? At their most essential level, triple glazed windows use three panes of glass rather than the two that we find in double glazed windows. The cavity between each pane of glass is usually filled with an inert gas such as argon, xenon or krypton. How do they work? The innovation of triple glazing is not just about the extra pane of glass. With the third pane of glass comes an additional air pocket buffer. The inert gas that fills the pockets is heavier than the air around us. It’s this which makes it so effective at muting noise and retaining heat. This feature is incredibly important to the performance of multiple glazed products. If the panes of glass are all the same thickness, triple glazed windows only offer a small increase in insulation if compared to double glazing. However, one pane of glass is constructed thicker than the others which allows superior audio and thermal protection. Triple glazed benefits Whether you compare to single or double glazed alternatives, triple glazing is beneficial in many ways. Energy efficiency Conserving heat in your home is probably the biggest consideration for glazing. In fact, Building Regulations now insist that any window you install today should have a U value no higher than 1.6. As a result, all newly installed windows in the UK will be at least double glazed. The U-value of triple glazing is markedly lower than regulation minimum. With an average of 0.8 and some manufacturers achieving as little as 0.5, this is clearly the most energy efficient option for glazing a home. Soundproofing Busy roads, rail lines, flight paths or industrial zones all cause noise pollution for many homes across the UK. Add to this noise caused by farms, schools, playgrounds, bin rounds and you can see the importance of soundproofing a modern home. A good triple glazing system can reduce noise pollution by up to 54 decibels. Privacy Of course, sound insulation works the other way round, too. Triple glazing products offer increased privacy within your home. This is a benefit felt by every parent of a musical teenager! Visually, triple glazed windows offer an array of privacy options. From obscured glass to tinted glass and even smart glass that alters with conditions, your home can become a more private space. Comfort In addition to the practical benefits of energy efficiency, triple glazing increases day too day comfort. Protection from these windows mean no unpleasant draughts sweeping through your home and cold mornings getting out of bed. The structure of the casements offers ease of use with various opening configurations, ventilation options and ergonomic latches and handles. Security The reinforcement of triple glazed windows over single or double glazed windows makes them vital in optimising home security . Toughened glass is almost impossible to break through, and the casements are sealed more securely within the walls. In addition, advanced locking systems make it far harder to penetrate the building via a window. Property value As an investment, when the time comes to replace your home’s windows, triple glazing is a solid long term decision. As energy efficiency regulations become ever more stringent, you should make this decision with the future in mind. Triple glazing will make sure that your home complies with regulations for many years ahead. Aesthetically, it’s important to keep your triple glazing in keeping with the style of your home. So look at a variety of wood effect, coloured and aluminium frame options. Condensation A consequence of moisture in the air hitting a cold pane of glass, condensation running down your windows can cause damage. It seeps into sills and window surrounds, causing longer term repair issues. Triple glazing brings your windows more in line with the u-value of your walls and doors. In this way, it is more efficient at preventing condensation and cold spots in your home than double glazed alternatives. Maintenance Whether you choose uPVC or aluminium, the maintenance of your triple glazed windows will be minimal. These materials are both extremely durable, so you will not need to repaint or treat the casements. Seals within triple glazed systems are extremely advanced so you can expect up to 30 years of performance! When is triple glazed the best option? When re-glazing your home and deciding between triple and double glazed windows, it can be hard to work out when triple glazing really is the best option. In some ways, triple and double glazed windows perform rather similarly, and in others there’s a clear difference. So depending on your priorities, you may find that triple glazing is the best long term option. It is clear that when it comes to sustainability and energy conscious projects, triple glazing is superior. Other choices Of course, it’s not just about the number of panes of glass in your windows. If you’re considering triple glazed windows, then you’re giving serious thought to the impact of the glazing in your home. So don’t forget to look at other aspects too. Frame material Yes, standard uPVC is the most common casement window material, but it’s not the only one. Wood replica frames are popular for period aesthetic, and aluminium is growing in use because of its sustainability credentials. Visually, these materials are striking and come in a range of colours that fit in with any design concept. Glass coating The key to light is really in the coating of glass panes within a casement window. Low emissivity, or Low-E, coatings can allow a window to perform in a very specific manner depending on where the coating is applied. At Bill Butters Windows and Doors, we want our customers make the best choices for their circumstances. So just get in touch to find out if triple glazing is right for you. GO BACK 01935 816168 SALES@BILLBUTTERSWINDOWS.CO.UK WINDOWS DOORS CONSERVATORIES OUR PROCESS NEWS DOWNLOADS JOBS ABOUT US CONTACT © COPYRIGHT 2020 BILL BUTTERS WINDOWS LTD PRIVACY POLICY | SITEMAP | TERMS COMPANY REG NO. 04519376 site by motley.co.uk