Many homes across the UK now feature either double or tripled glazed windows as they offer an array of benefits that not only save you money but also improve the comfort of your home. The differences between double and triple glazing are pretty straightforward, making it easy for you to decide which windows best suit you and your home and choose between triple glazing vs double glazing.

Triple Glazing vs Double Glazing | A Full Guide

If you’re creating your dream home from scratch or simply think your current windows need to be upgraded, it is imperative that you know the difference between double and triple glazing. Having installed many conservatories in Milton Keynes, we are very confident with our glazing knowledge and thought we should share our expertise with you. Both double and triple glazing provide you and your home with a number of benefits, so it is entirely down to personal preference which one you opt for. Currently, triple glazing is commonly used in places such as Scandinavia as they provide excellent heat insulation, but they are becoming increasingly popular across the UK. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1970s that even double glazing rose in popularity in the UK. Before this time, building codes were fairly relaxed, meaning people did not have the incentive to improve their home’s energy efficiency. You can read all about the minimum energy efficiency standards for UK properties here.

Although glazing may not seem like an important feature of your property, it has the potential to save you hundreds of pounds in energy bills and improve your home entirely. So, without further delay, here are the main differences between double and triple glazing.

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    What Is Double Glazing?

    Double glazing is fairly self-explanatory – double-glazed windows consist of two panes of glass separated by a layer of air/gas. This gas, combined with the added layer of glass, acts as excellent insulation against both noise and heat loss. Many people opt to have double glazing installed throughout their homes to reap the benefits of a warmer and quieter home. In fact, according to Which? 67% of homeowners said that their home was significantly warmer after getting double glazing.

    This happens because as the cold air hits the external pane of glass, the glass transfers the temperature to the Argon gas layer within the two panes of glass, which has a 34% reduced thermal transfer to air, ultimately slowing down the conduction of heat between two different temperatures. This means that the Argon layer transfers less of the temperature difference to the internal pane of glass; the same goes for when warm air meets the interior pane; the Argon layer slows down the transfer of warm air to the outside, retaining the warmth inside the room!

    The money-saving benefit is also worth mentioning, as it is what convinces many people to invest in double-glazing. To put into perspective how much you could really save, the Energy Saving Trust claim that if all of the single-glazed windows were replaced in a detached house with A++ double glazed windows, you would save between £110 and £115 per year.

    double glazing

    What Is Triple Glazing?

    The latest innovation in window insulation comes in the form of triple glazing. Unlike double glazing, which consists of two panes of glass, triple glazing utilises three panes. A layer of argon gas still separates the panes, but the extra layer of glass provides better insulation; not only this, but triple glazing also provides extra security for your home, as the extra pane makes the glazing toughened and ensures it is more difficult to break! As the most energy-efficient glazing option, triple glazing boats the lowest U-value of any domestic window. As we are all encouraged to reduce our carbon emissions and actively make changes which will reduce the impact of global warming, triple glazing is a desirable property feature.

    triple glazing

    Double Glazing Vs Triple Glazing | Advantages & Disadvantages

    Each type of glazing has a host of benefits that can be precisely tailored to what you have been looking for; however, deciding which type you want to go for can be challenging. For this reason, it is useful to look at the advantages and disadvantages that our experts in conservatories in Milton Keynes have come up with for each type to assist you in making an informed and easy decision about which sort of glazing you think is best suited to you!

    Advantages Of Double Glazing

    There are a whole host of advantages of double glazing, which makes them so attractive to homeowners. As well as providing better insulation than traditional single-glazing, double-glazed windows can effectively reduce noise. This can be very beneficial if you live in a city or near a busy road where it can be noisy at all times of the day. Not only will double-glazed windows block noise from the outside to create a quiet and peaceful environment, but they will also keep any noise coming from your house inside. For example, if you enjoy listening to music in the evenings, you can do this without the fear of disturbing your neighbours.

    Moreover, if you are quite security conscious of your home, then you should definitely consider double glazing, as they provide increased protection compared to traditional windows. Being considerably hard to break and difficult to force open from the outside, double-glazed windows act as an effective burglar deterrent, as your home will no longer be an easy target.

    Another great thing about double glazing is you can customise them in various ways that can even increase their level of security. By opting for laminated or toughened glass for your double-glazed windows, you can minimise the risk of breakage and improve security. We offer double glazing in Milton Keynes which you can pair with any of our popular window styles, keeping your property secure at all times.

    Lastly, there is a common misconception that double glazing requires a lot of maintenance and specialist cleaning products to keep it in pristine condition; however, this is not the case. When it comes to cleaning your double glazing, the process is exactly the same as if you were cleaning any other glass window. We recommend using a microfibre cloth and non-abrasive cleaner/regular soapy water. If you opt for regular soapy water, add about 250ml of white vinegar, as this will aid in creating a streak-free finish. Once thoroughly cleaned, all you need to do is wipe away any excess water with a squeegee. If these advantages have inspired you to utilise double glazing in your home, why not pair our excellent double glazing services with one of our conservatories in Milton Keynes – giving your property the ultimate home improvement!

    Crown Installer Fitting Window

    Disadvantages Of Double Glazing

    Although double glazing has a great number of benefits, like anything, it also comes with a few drawbacks. Although we believe the advantages of double glazing far outweigh the disadvantages, we want to make you fully aware of all factors which could influence your decision.

    A downside of double glazing is that it cannot be repaired. The layer of insulation between the two panes of glass can be susceptible to condensation if the seal isn’t airtight. However, once sealed, the panes cannot be pulled apart or repaired, and if condensation appears, the entire window will need to be replaced. However, if you use a reputable company to install your windows, it is highly unlikely you will experience this issue.

    Moreover, although our double glazing in Milton Keynes is excellent at trapping heat during the winter months, this can be somewhat problematic during the summer. The heat which gets trapped inside the windows can result in a stuffy and uncomfortable hot interior, which is not what you need on a glorious summer’s day. For this reason, many people opt to have their windows tinted to block the heat and keep their homes at optimum temperature.

    Crown Worker Installing A Window

    Advantages Of Triple Glazing

    The advantages of triple glazing are reasonably similar to those of double glazing, but there are a few additional benefits which you should know. As previously mentioned, triple glazing boasts an impressively low U-value, which reduces the risk of condensation. Triple-glazed windows help to minimise internal condensation issues as the heat is kept inside the building and stops cold external temperatures from reacting with internal warm air – resulting in condensation. Another reason which makes triple glazing worth the investment is its durability. Lasting anything between 10-35 years and having the ability to withstand extreme weather conditions, you can feel confident that your triple glazing will last and remain a beneficial feature of your home for years to come.

    Worker Installing Window

    Disadvantages Of Triple Glazing

    In terms of the disadvantages of triple glazing, our experts in double glazing in Milton Keynes know that the main issue is cost. It is no surprise that triple glazing is a little more expensive than double glazing as there are extra materials needed to make the final product. As well as the added materials, triple glazing also requires more precise manufacturing conditions, making the production process more costly. Similarly, triple glazing is heavier than double glazing, which can sometimes impact transportation costs. With the expense of triple glazing being more than double glazing, the amount you save on your energy bill may not be in proportion to how much you spend on installation. However, do not be completely put off the idea of this glazing option as you will still be able to save more money compared to double glazing; it just may take longer to recoup your investment.

    Over to you…

    Now that you know the differences between double and triple glazing, you can decide which one may be best suited for your home and lifestyle. As we have explored, both glazing options offer excellent benefits, which make them a great addition to any home, so it is entirely your choice as to which one you choose. If you are unsure whether you should update your windows, take a look at our previous article for signs that you need to replace your windows! If you would like to know more about glazing or have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us, and a member of our expert team will be more than happy to advise you.

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