One of the most commonly discussed improvements when it comes to making your home more energy efficient is ensuring that all of your glass is at least double glazed. Both double and triple glazing offer significant improvements over single glazing, but many people are unsure what the difference is and which might be better in which particular circumstances. Today, we’ll hopefully make that a little more clear!
Double Glazing
Double glazing consists of (you guessed it!) two panes of glass that are separated by a layer of gas, usually argon, which then acts as a layer of insulation and prevents heat from escaping.
Whilst they cost more than single-glazed windows, it’s definitely worth upgrading any; it’s been show that double glazing can save up to 20% (vs. single glazed windows) on your energy costs. In the long-run, this can certainly add up and make the investment more than worthwhile in terms of cost alone!
Insulation
In terms of insulation properties, double glazed windows have a U-Value of 1.2 to 3.7 depending on which type you have. Compare this to single-glazing’s 4.8 to 5.8 range and you can clearly see how much more effective it is!
Other Benefits
→ Easy to install – thanks to only being two panes of glass, you can have double glazed windows retro-fitted into most existing frames
→ Double glazing provides great noise insulation benefits, helping you to create a peaceful indoor environment, wherever you live
Triple Glazing
Triple glazing is just like double glazing, only it comes with an additional 3rd pane of glass. This makes it even more effective at insulating and has some potential benefits, as well as drawbacks, when compared to double glazing.
Insulation
The insulation properties of triple glazing are, unsurprisingly, better than what you’d get from double glazed windows. They’ll give you a U-Value of 1 or less depending on the type and frame choice etc.
Cost
In the UK, triple glazing costs on average around 20-40% more than double glazing does, making it a significant additional investment if you have lots of windows or window space.
Other Benefits
→ The noise reduction is slightly better than double glazing, helping against particularly noisy environments
→ Extremely secure – thanks to the triple layer and large frames, triple glazed windows are the most secure and can keep your home nice and safe
So Which Should You Choose?
Both double and triple glazing are great options for modernising your home and helping it to retain more heat. However, each comes with it own set of benefits which could make each better suited for certain situations.
Double Glazing
If you’re looking for a more budget friendly upgrade to help your home lower energy bills, then double glazing is probably your best option. If you find that your home doesn’t get unbearably cold, and you live in a fairly quiet area then double glazing will provide you with what you need to see a great return on investment.
Triple Glazing
In which situations might it be worth upgrading to triple glazing? As triple glazing is thicker and provides additional insulation, it can be great for:
→ Homes that suffer from other insulation and heating issues, to help retain as much heat as possible
→ Areas of your home that get particularly cold, such as conservatories which mostly consist of glass and can become too cold in winter
→ Homes in very noisy places. Although the noise insulation vs double glazing isn’t massive, it might just be enough to drown out that extra bit of noise
→ If you are happy to invest in your home for the future – the additional insulation savings could add up in years to come as energy costs are only likely to rise
