Triple Pane Windows

If your windows are more than 10 years old, replacing them with triple pane windows may likely create significant savings for your building. Windows are responsible for between 20% and 30% of energy and heat loss in American homes. Installing triple pane windows in your home will help keep more of your money in your pocket. These windows can contribute as much as 50% savings over single pane windows and 20% savings over double pane windows. 

Homeowners who make the switch to triple pane windows tend to cite comfort as their main reason for doing it. If comfort is also your biggest concern, triple pane windows are probably best. A standard triple pane window will only allow 3% of energy to pass through it, reflecting the other 97%. This makes them the best choice for energy efficiency. In comparison, a double pane window reflects about 90% of energy and lets 10% through.

This article will discuss how triple pane windows are designed and some of the triple pane window advantages. 

What is a Triple Pane Window?

Triple pane windows are considered a luxury product as they are the most advanced windows available today. They are not standard in new construction in most of the United States. Each of the three panes of glass has a spacer around the edges to give them a uniform space between each layer. There is a seal between each pane, making the windows airtight. It also allows for pockets of gas to fill the space between them.

Either argon and krypton gas are used to create a barrier that blocks energy from escaping to the outside. The layer of gas in between the panes of glass doubles the amount of energy-saving potential. It also keeps your home at a consistent indoor temperature. Both gases conduct up to 50% less heat than air does. The gas significantly improves the insulation of the window and contributes to higher energy efficiency. 

Triple Pane Windows Advantages

Increased Thermal Efficiency

Perhaps the most notable triple pane window advantage is their increased efficiency. Triple pane windows can be up to 20% more efficient than double pane windows. They can also be up to 50% more efficient than single pane windows. Between argon and krypton gas, krypton gas tends to yield the biggest energy savings. Both gases create a barrier blocking energy, whether heat or cool air, from leaving your house. 

This increased efficiency will show up in your energy bills every month. For example, switching from single pane to triple pane windows can create a savings of up to $465 every year.

Keeps Your Home Warm in the Winter and Cool in the Summer

Having three panes of glass instead of two increases the amount of insulating space. In areas with cold winters like Chicago, triple pane windows can minimize heat loss during the cold months. Triple pane windows will also keep cool air inside your home during the summer. An additional low-e coating on the windows can further redirect sunlight away from your house. 

Reduced Condensation

Condensation is a natural occurrence any time warm air meets a cool surface. This can be a problem both in the summer and the winter. It tends to be more of a problem in winter, with condensation forming on the interior part of the glass. Interior condensation can eventually lead to costly consequences. If it is neglected, it can cause water damage to window sills, frames, and even the surrounding walls. If left long enough, mold and mildew may also form. 

The better the insulation of your window, the less likely vapor will appear on the glass, in the form of condensation or frost. This makes triple pane windows some of the best options on the market, with their extra layer of glass.

Reduce Noise

Triple pane windows can also reduce the amount of noise coming through the window due to the extra pane of glass. This makes them a great option if you live in a noisy neighborhood. The added insulation of the third pane of glass makes them some of the best noise reducing windows available.

High Return on Investment

You may be looking to stay in your home for another several years. Or you want to put your home on the market. Either way, replacing your current windows for more energy efficient ones has been shown to increase your home value. One estimate found that your return on investment could be as much as 75%. This makes replacing your windows one of the best exterior projects to increase home value. 

Increased Durability

Many of the triple pane windows available today have vinyl frames. Vinyl is one of the most durable and affordable frame options on the market. A high quality vinyl frame will not warp, chip, or peel regardless of the weather conditions. Great Lakes Windows offers high quality vinyl replacement windows with triple pane glass. Their windows have up to nine times the insulation of single-pane windows. As a Great Lakes Window dealer, we can help you find the right vinyl triple pane windows for your home.

Extra Security

Triple pane windows offer additional security compared to double pane windows. The extra pane of glass makes it much more difficult for burglars to break through. It is also more secure against harsh weather conditions like high winds and heavy precipitation.

Do You Need a Low-E Coating?

As with double hung windows, triple pane windows can also benefit from a low-E coating. Low-E coatings were created to minimize the amount of UV and infrared light that passes through glass without compromising the amount of visible light. A low-E coating is a microscopically thin and transparent coating that reflects energy. It can be thought of as invisible insulation for the glass on your window. The effectiveness of these coatings is evaluated based on a few measurements.

Two of the most important ways to measure their effectiveness is the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and U-value. SHGC is the fraction of solar radiation that comes through the window. It can be directly transmitted and absorbed or radiated inward. U-Value is the rating given to windows based on how much heat loss it allows. The lower the U-value and the higher the SHGC, the more effective the coating is. An effective coating keeps the inside warm and the outside cold during winter. In the summer, it does the reverse. Heat gain is reflected to the outside while the cool air is kept inside. 

Apart from improving the efficiency of your windows, a low-E coating can also protect your interior from UV damage. By blocking most UV rays, your furniture, carpeting, and other finishes will be protected from fading by the sun.

American Thermal Window

If you are still unsure whether triple pane windows are right for your home, contact American Thermal Window today. American Thermal Window has been a leader for Chicago window products for over 35 years. We are Chicago’s top-rated window and door company and serve all of Chicagoland. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff can assist you in your search for the right replacement windows. Whether you know exactly what you want or have not even started the search, we are here to help! We have multiple vendors including Great Lakes Windows, allowing us to find the perfect price and design for you.