The differences between double and triple glazing

Many homeowners may be confused by specifications when choosing new doors and windows, as it is often difficult to find the most efficient yet cost-effective option for each home and its requirements. Here, we will discuss double and triple glazing and the differences and benefits of both for use in home fixtures.

Energy efficiency

There are several key differences between double and triple glazing that can help you determine which one is right for you. The physical difference between the two types of glazing is that double glazing is made of two panes of glass, whereas triple is made of three.

The additional panes increase the energy efficiency of the window or door, making triple glazing more efficient for conserving heat and insulating the home which is measured in U-value, with double glazing having an average of 2.8 and triple offering 0.8. However, upgrading the fixtures in your home to double or triple glazing in order to save energy is only one aspect that will help, as energy is often lost in other areas of the home, such as the roof and through flooring, which are other areas to consider in terms of energy efficiency.

If you’re looking to upgrade your window fixtures, sash windows from Quickslide achieve an energy rating of ‘B’ as standard and a u-value of 1.6/Wm2K. With the addition of an argon gas filled unit, the windows can achieve an energy rating of ‘A’ and a u-value as low as 1.4W/m2K. They also come with colour-matching wool-pile, which helps to block out any draughts, and an optional weather bar to add another level of defence against harsh weather conditions for extra energy saving.

Noise reduction

Noise can be an issue if you live near a busy road or in an apartment, however upgrading your fixtures can greatly help with excessive noise from the outside.

Whilst double glazing does help with noise reduction, triple glazing can achieve superior reductions in noise, with the thickness of the glass being key to sound insulation. The size of the gap between the panes also plays a crucial role, as the larger the gap, the better the noise reduction will be. Trickle ventilators on windows will discount any noise reduction achieved with upgrading the glazing on your windows, so bare this in mind and consider removing them if you are aiming to reduce incoming noise.

Whilst triple glazing is more efficient in many ways, double glazing may have the desired noise reduction solution for many residential homes with correct gaps and glass thickness when installing the panes.

The Benefits of Upgrading to Double or Triple Glazing

Upgrading your fixtures to either double or triple glazing will greatly improve the overall efficiency of your home. As you would expect, triple glazing requires more expensive manufacturing techniques as well as containing more raw materials, so it is the more expensive option. However, often, double glazing suits the needs of many homeowners in terms of noise reduction, energy efficiency and heat retention, making your home feel more comfortable and secure.

Whichever option you choose, it us guaranteed that both options will:

Reduce your energy bills overtime
Reduce noise disturbance
Increase the value to home
Help to minimise condensation and the risk of damp
Increase your home security