The Pros and Cons of Triple Glazing Windows and Doors
With the focus of the architectural and building industry now squarely on improving energy efficiency, the potential of triple glazing windows and doors rather than just double glazing is being weighed up.
Double glazing, which involves adding a second pane of glass to single glazed windows, has long been a proven method for improving energy efficiency. However, triple glazing, with its additional pane of glass, can up the ante for even greater benefits.
Much colder countries than Australia have already widely embraced triple glazing as a way to keep out the cold. However, it’s also worth considering for more temperate climates like ours, particularly as it has other benefits such as soundproofing and improving overall thermal comfort.
Thermotek offers advanced window and door systems in both triple glazing and double glazing. We customise world-class solutions for the local market, with products backed by German engineering but sustainably manufactured in Australia.
When it comes to choosing the right type of window and door systems for your building project, there are a range of factors to consider. Below we will unpack the pros and cons of triple glazing to help you determine if it is a viable option for enhancing the energy efficiency of your project.
First off, exactly what is triple glazing?
Triple glazing is a type of window that is made up of three panes of glass instead of the two panes used in double glazing. The three panes of glass are separated by spacers, creating two insulating air gaps that can help to reduce heat loss and improve the energy efficiency of a building. These gaps are filled with gas to enhance the sealing properties.
Triple glazing is typically used in areas with extremely cold weather conditions. For example, it’s popular in Scandinavia and other parts of Northern Europe, where it provides superior insulation compared to double glazing. By adding an extra layer of glass and an additional insulating air gap, triple glazing can help to prevent heat from escaping a building, keeping it warm and comfortable during the colder months.
What are the key benefits of triple glazing?
Triple glazing offers several benefits compared to double glazing or single glazing. These include:
Improved energy efficiency: The additional layer of glass and insulating air gap in triple glazing can help to reduce heat loss, resulting in lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint.
Better noise reduction: The extra pane of glass helps to reduce outside noise, making it a good option for buildings located in busy or noisy areas.
Enhanced security: It can provide a further layer of security as it is more difficult for intruders to break through three layers of glass.
Increased comfort: Triple glazing can help to create a more comfortable living environment by reducing cold spots and drafts near windows.
Improved indoor air quality: It can help to prevent condensation on windows, which can reduce the risk of mould and improve indoor air quality.
Higher property value: Installing triple glazed windows can increase the value of a property, as it is considered a premium feature.
We’ll look at several of these benefits in more detail below.
Does triple glazing help achieve passive design?
Triple glazing can also play an important role in passive design by helping to reduce heat loss and improve the energy efficiency of a building. Passive design refers to the design of a building that takes advantage of natural heating, cooling, and lighting to reduce energy consumption and improve indoor comfort.
It is usually achieved using five key design principles: Insulation, Airtightness, Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery, Thermal-Bridge Free Construction and High-Performance Windows.
By adding an extra pane of glass and an additional insulating air gap, triple glazing can help make a building well-insulated and airtight, making it easier to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without relying on mechanical heating or cooling systems. This can help to reduce energy consumption, lower heating and cooling costs, and reduce the carbon footprint of a building.
In addition to improving energy efficiency, triple glazing can also provide other passive design benefits, such as improved thermal comfort and natural lighting. It can be designed for optimal solar heat gain, which can help to reduce heating costs in colder months.
Overall, triple glazing can be a key element in a passive design strategy by helping to improve energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and natural lighting in a building.
How exactly does triple glazing help with soundproofing?
If the house is in a busy urban area or near a road, a great advantage of triple glazing is that it can help to reduce noise by adding an extra layer of glass and an additional insulating air gap.
The third layer of glass creates an added barrier that can help to block out sound waves and vibrations, while the insulating air gap between the panes of glass can help to absorb sound energy.
The distance between the glass panes in triple glazing is typically greater than that in double glazing, which means that there is a larger air gap between the panes. This larger gap can help to reduce sound transmission by dampening sound waves as they pass through the glass.
Furthermore, triple glazing can also help to reduce the amount of noise that enters a room through vibrations. The additional layer of glass acts as a barrier to vibrations, which can significantly reduce the amount of noise that enters a building.
The amount of noise reduction provided by triple glazing will depend on factors such as the type and frequency of the noise, the thickness of the glass, and the size of the gap between the panes.
What are the negatives of triple glazing?
Triple glazing typically provides better insulation and noise reduction than double glazing, but at a higher cost.
The higher cost of triple glazing is due to the additional materials and labour required for installation. The increased weight of triple-glazed windows may also require stronger framing materials to support the weight, which can add to the cost.
Thermotek window and door systems – such as the stylish Boutique Series – counter the higher cost of triple glazing by using uPVC for the frames, which is a more affordable solution for passive design than costly thermally broken aluminium solutions, achieving the lowest u-values more economically.
Overall, the choice between triple and double glazing will depend on factors such as climate, noise levels, and budget. In cold climates, where insulation is particularly important, triple glazing may be the better choice. However, in milder climates or where noise is not a significant concern, double glazing may be sufficient and more cost-effective.
Can triple glazed windows improve the value of a home?
In general, triple glazed windows are considered a desirable feature for a home because they offer better energy efficiency and noise reduction compared to double glazed or single glazed windows. This can be particularly attractive to homebuyers who are looking for properties that are more environmentally friendly, or in areas with high levels of noise pollution.
However, the extent to which triple glazed windows increase the value of a home will depend on several factors, including the quality of the windows, the installation process, and the cost of the windows relative to the overall value of the home.
Thermotek offers superior window and door systems in both triple and double glazing
Thermotek is backed by German engineering but manufactured locally in Melbourne. Our fusion-welded uPVC frames with dual-sealed air chambers create incredible insulation for energy efficient homes, helping them achieve the 7-star NatHERs rating now required by the National Construction Code (NCC).
Available for double and triple glazing, with multi-point locking for excellent security, our systems exceed Australian Standards: suitable for up to BAL 40 (bushfire rating). They are also rated between Uw 1.2 to 1.9 (WERS) for energy efficiency.
If you’re looking for high-quality, energy-efficient window and door systems in either double or triple glazing, contact us today for expert advice.
