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Here are the reasons why you would want to invest in triple pane windows for your next home improvement project. Read on!
As a homeowner striving to replace your windows when considering a home improvement project, making a decision can be overwhelming. There are many window types to choose from, but the most important thing here is to go with energy-efficient units to boost your home’s thermal performance and market value.
That is why we have reached out to window installation experts to ask them all the details regarding triple pane windows and how they impact your home’s energy efficiency. Want to learn everything in detail? Keep reading!
Triple Pane Windows Explained
A triple pane window consists of three glass panes, equally spaced apart within a single window frame, acting as a thermal barrier between the interior of your home and the surrounding environment. It offers excellent insulation against cold air drafts, especially in cold regions. But the most important question is whether getting triple glazing would be a prudent decision when considering your home renovation project. Let’s find out.
4 Reasons Why Investing in Triple Pane Windows Worth a Thought
Triple pane windows usually cost 15% higher than double-glazed units, but they also bring additional benefits. So here are four reasons to invest in triple-glazing for your new units:
- Greater Energy-Efficiency: The whole point of getting triple-glazed windows is how it conserves heat within a home, improving the efficiency of your HVAC systems while reducing your utility bills. With these windows, hot air doesn’t seep into your home during summer as your cooling systems run, nor does cool air seep into your home during winter as your heating systems run. According to Energy Star, triple pane windows perform up to 50% better than standard double-glazed units.
- Increased Noise Reduction: The thicker the layers of glass on your windows, the greater its insulation against sound. If you live in a major city, the noise pollution can prove unbearable, often affecting your quality of sleep. Triple pane windows have industry ratings depicting how many high and low frequency sounds they can block out.
- Better Resistance Against Condensation: Triple-glazed windows offer better resistance to condensation. This helps reduce the formation of mildew and mould within your home, which are harmful to both human and pet health.
- Increase in Home Value: Having energy-efficient windows is one of the most effective ways to boost the market value of your home. It is one feature that potential home buyers will keep their eyes out on.
Does Your House Really Need Triple Glazing?
Triple pane windows are costly, and it would serve you well to ask whether or not they are worth it. Therefore, it is advised that you make this choice based on the outcome of two deciding factors, namely:
- The current thermal performance of your home and how it impacts your utility bills.
- Your return on investment (ROI) in comparison with double-paned windows.
Thermal Performance of Your Home and How it Affects Your Utility Bills
Heat is usually generated within your home through various sources. It may be from your electrical appliances, lighting equipment, or through conduction of solar energy through walls, windows, and doors. However, the majority of this heat is from conduction.
The generated heat significantly reduces the efficiency of your cooling systems, requiring them to perform more work. As more work is done, your energy consumption equally rises, thus, increasing your energy consumption.
If you live in a home having an energy management system, you can monitor various parameters such as temperature, voltage, current, and frequency. This will help you gauge whether the energy consumed by your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is more than required. If it is more, getting triple-paned windows will help you cut down on energy bills.
ROI of Triple-Pane Windows Compared to Double-Pane Windows
Hands down, triple-glazed windows are more energy-efficient than double pane windows. But does your house really need this investment? Well, it largely depends on the region you live in and your current heating bills. As previously mentioned, triple glazing usually costs 15% more, so you would need to carefully analyze your bills to decide whether you need to make that extra investment and how many years it will take you to cover it.
Features to Consider When Buying Triple Glazed Windows
Once again, not all triple-glazed windows have the same characteristics. It differs based on the manufacturer and the type. Here are some features to look out for when considering these windows.
- Energy Star Rating: This indicates that your windows have been tested in accredited labs to be energy-efficient. This rating is often determined by both the SHGC and U-factor. The lower they are, the more energy-efficient your windows will be.
- Low-E Windows: A triple-glazed Low-E window effectively reflects external heat outwards. It further improves the energy efficiency of your windows. They are of two types, hard and soft coats. If you live in a region with harsh weather conditions, the hard coat option is preferable because you’ll get some solar heat permeating your home during winter.
- Frame Options: There’s a lot to choose from when it comes to window frames since your window frame material could affect your home’s energy efficiency a lot. Metal frames conduct heat, making them terrible options, but others like wood, composites, and vinyl are the best at being energy efficient. Vinyl frames are cost-effective, easy to maintain, and durable, making them the go-to option for the majority of homeowners nowadays.
The Takeaway
Installing triple pane windows for your home is one of the best decisions you can make when doing home renovations. They provide optimal energy efficiency, improve overall comfort, increase your property’s market value, and bring peace of mind. Just make sure you analyze your heating bills and the current thermal performance of your house before going with the investment. Moreover, find a reliable window company to do the installation since even the best units will fail to perform at their maximum if installed poorly. Good luck!
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