Once upon a time, double-glazing was the latest ‘must-have’ for any modern home. Providing better insulation, temperature control, greater security, and reduced condensation, the advantages over single glazing were clear.
Today, we’re increasingly told that double-glazing is outdated and we should invest in triple-glazing.
But what is the difference between double-glazing and triple-glazing? And do you need to upgrade?
At Manchester Window Factory, we have over 25 years of experience in glazing and installation. In this blog, we’ll answer some of your most common questions about triple-glazing, including costs, benefits, and potential drawbacks, to help you choose the best glazing option for your home.
What is Triple Glazing?
As the name suggests, triple-glazing incorporates three panes of glass rather than one (single glazing) or the two you get with double-glazing.
With double and triple-glazing, the gaps between the panes of glass are filled with an inert gas such as argon, xenon, or krypton. This gas, combined with the extra panes of glass, helps to muffle noises from traffic and weather. Because such inert gases are heavier than air, heat is prevented from escaping, making your home more energy efficient and saving you money on heating bills.
Some triple glazing also has spacer bars – slim strips of plastic or composite material – that create a specific-sized cavity (usually approximately 16mm) between the panes of glass. They help to reduce heat loss and minimise condensation.
What is the difference between double-glazing and triple-glazing?
Having that third layer of glass and gas in the cavities increases the energy efficiency and noise reduction even further. Triple glazing is also more durable and hard-wearing than double glazing, plus it’s incredibly difficult to break due to its thickness.
How thick is triple-glazing?
We use 28mm for the majority of our triple glazing. Our triple-glazed units comprise 4mm glass panes and 8mm air gaps filled with argon gas.
We also offer a 40mm option in our uPVC windows. Broken down into 4mm panes of glass with gas-filled gaps at 16mm each.
You must also consider how many chambers are in the frame, as frames with fewer chambers provide less insulation.
Pros and Cons of Triple Glazing
- Reduction of traffic noise.
- Reduction of weather noise.
- Extra insulation.
- Eliminating energy wastage.
- Reduction of condensation on internal windows.
- Reduction of heating bills.
- Compatible with all windows.
- Choice of styles and glazing options.
- Very difficult to break.
- A lifespan of around 10-35 years (usually at least 20).
- Can add value to your home.
- Triple glazing offers a reduction in noise pollution, better insulation, increased security and a potential decrease in your heating bills.
- The higher initial cost for manufacturing, transport and installation.
- The U value between double and triple glazing is much less than single and double glazing.
- It can cause a small amount of condensation on the exterior glass.
- The heavier panes can put pressure on the window frames over time.
- They also cost more to transport due to the extra weight.
- A small loss of brightness through the window panes is sometimes reported.
It is also likely that future building regulations will require newly built homes to feature only windows with a combined U-value of around 1.4 W/m²k. Replacement windows will likely carry the same requirements. As such, installing triple glazing now could help you futureproof your home.
Lastly, triple glazing is more common in cold-climate countries such as Norway, Finland, and Sweden. However, the UK is starting to experience colder winters that our houses are not equipped for. Installing triple glazing could be a smart step to prepare for when the temperatures plummet.
How much more expensive is triple glazing?
Average Costs
The average cost per window for triple-glazing depends on the size and type of windows, but you can expect to pay around £440 – £1,430, including VAT, for one standard window or a square metre of triple-glazing. This is based on a UPVC casement-style window and includes the window and installation.
You should calculate your triple-glazing costs based on £440 – £1,430 per window, multiplied by how many windows you wish to have triple-glazed. For example, the average two-bedroom flat may have four windows at around £1,760 – £5,720.
Overall Price Difference
One of the main concerns when considering upgrading to triple-glazing is: Does the cost outweigh the benefits?
Triple-glazing is more expensive than double-glazing initially but could save you more on heating bills while also adding value to your home.
On average, triple glazing costs approximately 30%-50% more than double glazing, but it can be almost double the cost, depending on the style and other factors previously mentioned.
At Manchester Window Factory, there is not such a significant disparity in the prices, because our frames are designed to hold the thicker, heavier triple-glazing.
Other Factors to Consider
The material and finish you choose will affect the price. The cheapest option is usually a white uPVC frame, whereas colours and woodgrain effects may cost more. Timber and aluminium options may also be more expensive.
The size and type of property can also affect costs. If the building is difficult to access, the installation cost may increase.
Lastly, your location could see the price decrease or increase significantly. UK labour costs are much higher in London, the South East, and the East Midlands.
You should also factor in the removal and disposal of your old windows.
Energy Efficiency Ratings Explained
Window Energy Ratings (WER) incorporate all aspects of the window.
Energy performance is measured in ‘U-values’, and the lower the U-value, the more energy efficient the product. Other ratings include the R rating for heat resistance as opposed to heat transfer, and should therefore be a high number, ideally higher than R-5.
The energy performance of triple-glazing is around 50% better than double-glazing, meaning
triple-glazing can contribute to A+++ ratings, providing all the other elements are at the best possible level.
For example, the inert gas used, the coatings on the glass and the number of chambers in the frame can all affect the window’s energy performance.
All our windows are A-rated for energy efficiency to help you make the best choice for your home.
Security Benefits
Since three panes of glass are harder to break than two, triple-glazing also offers enhanced security. Three layers of glass, plus the gas-filled cavities, create multiple layers of resistance to pressure – such as a blunt object – to deter would-be intruders.
All our windows meet British Police Security standards, with airtight seals and multi-point locking systems to ensure your peace of mind.
Soundproofing Capabilities
The three layers of glass and gas provide a higher level of noise reduction than double glazing. Studies have placed the acoustic performance of some triple-glazed windows at Rw32 – low 40s. If you live near a busy road or close to a bustling city centre, this could make a massive difference to your quality of sleep.
You can also look into acoustic glass, which is manufactured to significantly reduce ambient sounds penetrating your home.
Do you still get condensation with triple glazing?
You may still get condensation with triple glazing, but it will likely be external, short-lived and clear by itself.
With double glazing, internal condensation may form around the window frame. With triple glazing, you may see external condensation in the centre of the windows. However, this is usually only after a cold, clear night, similar to a car window frosting and generally clears up quickly. In both cases, you must ensure proper ventilation.
Is Triple Glazing Worth It?
Triple glazing is more expensive to purchase, transport, and install, so your initial budget could be a deciding factor in whether you upgrade. On the other hand, triple glazing could also reduce your heating bills, offer better security, decrease noise pollution, enhance the appearance of your home, and futureproof it against changes in building regulations.
For some, the advantages of triple glazing do not outweigh the difference in cost, but it is a personal choice based on initial cost versus long-term savings.
Conclusion
There are pros and cons to double and triple glazing. It all depends on your priorities, your property and your lifestyle. You need to weigh all the factors and decide on the best choice.
We hope this blog has given you a better understanding of the differences between double and triple glazing and why one may be a better option for you than the other.
How to Get in Touch
To request a free brochure, you can call us on 0161 976 4739, use our contact form or chat with us via the chat button at the bottom right of this website. If you live locally, you can also visit our Altrincham showroom, and check our contacts page for up-to-date opening hours.
We look forward to hearing from you!
FAQs
Triple-glazed windows can be UPVC, timber, or aluminium, with UPVC the most affordable and timber frames typically the most expensive.
We offer triple glazing across our entire window collection, so there is no need to choose between triple glazing and a cost-effective UPVC frame.
Triple glazing also offers enhanced soundproofing over single or double glazing. The three panes of glass and the air gaps create a better sound barrier, making it more difficult for ambient sounds, such as traffic, aeroplanes or busy city centre noises, to penetrate.
Yes, not only is a triple-glazed window harder to break into intentionally, but it is also much more difficult to break accidentally. Although the lifespan is the same (20-35 years approximately), there is less chance of breaking a triple-glazed window than a double-glazed window.
This means it is less likely to need repairing or replacing and only requires minimal maintenance, depending on the material of the frame.
Yes, certain plants, such as those listed in this article, can absorb excess moisture in the air, which helps reduce the chances of mould growth caused by condensation.
It is usually recommended to replace the entire double-glazed window with a triple-glazed window rather than just add a third pane of glass.
This is because triple-glazing is heavier and thicker than double-glazing and your existing frame is unlikely to support the extra weight.
Another consideration is ensuring a proper airtight seal in installation, which is easier to achieve with new purpose-built triple-glazing frames.
It is possible to fit triple-glazing into existing frames. However, they must be thick enough and strong enough to support the weight of the window. If not, window frames can crack immediately or weaken over time. You may then get creaking, warping, and leaking and need to replace the window.
As discussed above, the difference in temperature provided by triple glazing as opposed to energy-efficient modern double glazing is only a few degrees. However, if your double glazing is old, it may not perform at the optimum level, and the difference could be much higher. In that case, it is up to you to decide whether financially it makes sense to upgrade to triple-glazing or upgrade to the latest double-glazed windows.
There is also an increased comfort factor with triple glazing, which is difficult to quantify but can improve quality of life. For example, if you work from home, you may spend 90% of your time in your house, and such minor improvements may be worth it for your day-to-day comfort.
Houses lose around 18% of their heat from their windows.If you have high heating bills, you should check the windows and doors are correctly installed and insulated.
Independent research by the PassivHaus Institute in Germany has shown that triple-glazing with a centre pane U value of 0.65 maintains a higher internal temperature than an energy-efficient double-glazed window. However, the difference is only a few degrees.
Still, every little helps, and those couple of degrees can make your home feel warmer, reducing your heating bills by around £20-£40 a year.
Whether you opt for double or triple glazing, you will also need to ensure other areas of the home, such as the roof, floor, and walls, are properly insulated if you hope to reduce your heating bills.