Many people have been wondering if triple-pane windows are an investment they should make. Depending on your location, average temperatures throughout the year, and some other factors, triple-pane windows could be a fantastic energy-efficient investment. On the other hand, they may also be a needless expense. In this article, we’ll take a look at triple-pane windows, their features, and what they bring to the table.
What are Triple-Pane Windows?
A triple-pane window, as the term suggests, consists of three panes of glass fitted onto a single frame. This is an upgrade from double-pane windows that contain two layers of glass. The terms “double-glazing” and “triple-glazing” is often used to refer to such windows. The word “glaze” which is a term borrowed from the German language, simply refers to glass. The term “insulated glass” is also used to describe this arrangement.
The triple-pane window has four main parts: glass panes, spacers, insulating gas, and the frame. The glass and frame are rather obvious. Here we’ll expound on the spacers and the insulating gas.
Spacers
In between the panes of a double or triple-pane window, running around the edges of the panes are special strips known as spacers. Other than keeping the glass panes in place, the spacers also have several additional functions. To begin with, they form a seal which prevents the insulating gas from leaking and keeps the moisture from seeping in.
Spacers also raise the temperature around the edges of the glass. If the edges remain cold, they’re prone to condensation, which eventually leads to mold development. Once a window is exposed to water damage, the decline is inevitable. Cold window pane edges also compromise the energy efficiency of the window by allowing the heat through.
Lastly, spacers also absorb the stress resulting from thermal expansion and contraction due to temperature changes.
There are different types of spacers, mostly classified according to the constituent materials as follows:
This category consists of spacers that are made from materials other than metal. Their reduced heat absorbing quality means that foam spacers drastically reduce the heat transfer, making them highly energy-efficient. They’re also flexible, allowing them to contract and expand along with the glass panes and the entire window unit. This uniform motion helps the sealant stay in place and consequently enhances the gas retention. This flexibility is also very useful in radius windows, whether they’re partially or entirely round since the foam spacer is easy to fold into various uneven shapes.
♦ Foam Spacers
The most commonly used metal here is aluminum, but other alloys can also serve the same purpose. When it comes to spacers, metal has the advantage of strength, enabling it to hold the glass panes firmly in place. On the other hand, metals readily conduct heat from the glass, negatively impacting the energy efficiency of triple-pane windows.
♦ Metal Spacers
How about the flexibility of metal spacers? Some metals are too rigid to accommodate the thermal expansion and contraction of the glass panes within the frame. The resulting stress causes cracks that compromise the quality of the sealant, leading to gas leakage. The cracks also allow moisture to seep in, which ultimately leads to condensation issues. Metal spacers are still a solid choice, just keep in mind their heat conducting properties.
Combining the types mentioned above, less-metal spacers borrow the best attributes of each. These spacers are made of stainless steel or a metal alloy. To reduce heat conduction and the resultant condensation, they incorporate a foam separator.
♦ Less-Metal Spacers
Milgard windows mostly employ stainless steel spacers. Steel comes with favorable insulating properties since it’s widely known as a poor conductor. The choice of spacers depends on their durability, type of window, and the insulating properties that we already mentioned. Spacers, regardless of the type, are further induced with a desiccant, a substance designed to absorb any moisture that may seep past the sealant.
Insulating Gas
Argon and krypton are the most widely utilized types of gas in double and triple pane replacement windows. You can have either of the gases used or a combination of both. The two gases are colorless, odorless, and non-toxic. Their biggest strength lies in their high density, which in turn affects their conductivity.
Let’s have a flashback to your physics lessons here. The density of a substance is inversely proportional to its thermal conductivity. Heavier substances offer more resistance to heat. Think of it as attempting to walk through water, say in a swimming pool. How would you compare that to walking on dry land, which is basically walking through the air? The water, with its higher density, offers more resistance. The same principle applies here. Argon and krypton are much heavier than air, and they provide more resistance to the heat that could be getting in or out of your home.
Argon is six times heavier than air, while krypton is even denser: 12 times more than air. Following these numbers, krypton has higher thermal efficiency compared to argon, but argon is more widely used, even in double-pane windows. The main reason for this is the cost. Krypton is more expensive in comparison to argon.
In most cases, argon is used in double pane windows, while krypton is used in triple pane window replacement. These rules are not cast in stone, though. Should you want the superior energy-saving abilities of krypton in your double pane windows, or the more cost-effective argon in your triple-pane windows, you can always engage our professionals for customized solutions. Remember there’s also an option of blending the two gases and draw from the strengths of each.
We believe that you now have a clearer idea of the structure of triple pane windows, as well as their operation. Understanding the product is the first step in determining if it’s a worthy investment for your home. How will your San Diego home benefit from such a window replacement? Read on to learn more.
Advantages of Triple Pane Windows
It is no secret that triple pane windows will cost you more. The question is, are they worth the extra cost? Opinions are divided depending on who you ask. Some will tell you that the added benefits are worth the investment. Others will say that you can get almost equal benefits from double-pane windows at a fraction of the cost. With such conflicting information out there, we’re glad you came here looking for concrete answers. Drawing from our experience with windows over the years, we’ll guide you along so you can make an informed decision. First thing’s first – let us look at the host of benefits that triple pane windows San Diego bring to your home:
We have already covered the composition of triple-pane windows. The gases used, argon and krypton, are denser than air and offer a higher resistance to heat. During winter, the heat is retained in the house. During summer, the heat is kept from getting into the house. In both instances, the HVAC has an easier time maintaining the required temperature and ends up consuming less power.
♦ Energy Efficiency
The energy efficiency capabilities of triple-pane windows are mostly felt in extreme weather conditions. Triple pane windows are up to 25% and 50% more energy-efficient than double pane windows and single-pane windows, respectively. Also, they can help you save up to 20% on your annual energy bills. That extra cost of the triple pane window replacement is gradually recouped by the energy saved year after year.
This energy efficiency also extends the life span of the HVAC system. Remember, up to 65% of the energy loss in a home is through the windows. If your windows are not insulated properly, your system has to work harder to regulate the temperature. The overworked machine is more prone to failure, and you’ll continuously have to foot maintenance costs. As we all know, these repairs hardly come cheap. What seems like a minor fault can leave a significant void in your wallet. Finally, any machine can only endure so many breakdowns. Soon enough, it’ll be beyond repair, and you’ll have to purchase a new one. Triple-pane windows in San Diego can help neutralize all these problems.
Condensation takes place when warm air gets into contact with a cold surface. The temperature difference between the inside and the outside causes what is sometimes referred to as “sweaty windows.”
♦ Reduced Condensation
During winter months, this takes place inside the house. The heated air gets in contact with the cold glass and condenses on the surface. In summer, a similar phenomenon takes place on the exterior of the windows. The mist then collects into droplets that drip down the window frame, sill, walls, and could even go all the way to the floor. It’s not unusual to find a pool of water under the window during winter.
You may reason that you can simply wipe off the fog from the windows before they form into water droplets, but they accumulate so fast that you’ll have to keep wiping time and time again. There are also those times when you’re away from home, and leave your window frame and sill wet for hours. In the short-term, the fog is unsightly. It blocks your view of the outdoors and limits the amount of natural light getting into the house. The effects are worse in summer since the condensation takes place on the outside, where it’s often harder to wipe off.
With time, the window frame and sill begin to develop mold, especially if
they’re made of wood, and the water retention triggers slow, inevitable decline for the entire window. Triple-pane windows reduce this kind of condensation by offering insulation so the surface of the window is not cold in the first place. Once the temperature of the glass is almost similar to that of the air around it, there will be no condensation.
The additional layer in triple-pane windows, coupled with the insulating glass, dramatically minimizes the transmission of sound. If your home or office is in a noisy neighborhood where you’re constantly exposed to noises of cars, machines, pets, and people, you may want to consider triple pane window replacement San Diego. Just closing the window shuts out a significant amount of noise, and you can enjoy your peace and quiet.
♦ Improved Soundproofing
There you go. These are the main advantages that you stand to gain by installing triple-pane windows. We didn’t even mention their increased durability, which is an important factor when it comes to security and any unwanted visitors. Good luck smashing through three layers of glass! All that’s left to tackle is the elephant in the room: how much do these windows cost?
Triple-Pane Window Costs
Triple-pane replacement windows go for anywhere between $500 and $1,100 per window. The price depends on size, design, materials, and labor, among other factors.
Before you multiply these figures with the number of windows in your San Diego home and start freaking out, keep in mind that you don’t have to replace all your windows at once. If your budget does not allow for a full replacement, you can start with the areas of your home where you spend most of your time, and then go from there.
Whether you’re convinced that triple pane windows are a worthy investment or you still have your doubts, expert advice is only a call away. At US Window & Door, we’re ready to listen to you and give you a free in-home evaluation, so we can formulate an accurate quotation. Don’t automatically assume that triple-pane windows are too expensive for you. Give us a call anytime, we’re sure we can find a solution that fits your needs and your budget!
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