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A triple-paned window has three sheets of glass instead of one (single pane) or two (double pane). The goal is to offer better energy efficiency. However, every investment has pros and cons, so before you update your windows, check out these four pros and cons of triple-paned windows to determine if they really are the right windows for you.
Triple-paned windows are more energy-efficient than both single-paned and double-paned windows. One reason for this is the three sheets of glass, which help create a thicker barrier between the air outside the home and the air inside the home. This reduces the risk of hot spots and drafts by preventing the transfer of heat.
They also proved great energy-efficiency because the gaps between the panes are filled with argon or another insulating gas, such as krypton gas and xenon gas. If the gas does manage to leak out, it will reduce the energy-efficiency, but the gas is not dangerous to you, your family, or your pets. In fact, much of it is found in the Earth's atmosphere and in the regular air we all breathe.
Double-paned windows are usually better than single-paned windows, but if one of the sheets of glass is cracked, chipped or develops some kind of hole, you lose most of the energy-efficiency benefits. The insulating gasses escape, and cold or heated air gets sandwiched between the window panes.
You can get the window fixed and restore the insulating gases, but until you can afford it, you will see reduced energy-efficiency.
With a triple-paned window, however, even if one sheet of glass breaks, you still have double-paned windows with a single layer of insulating gases. This gives you a little more time to get the window repaired before you really begin to see reduced energy-efficiency.
Triple-paned windows are not cheap, but they are an investment. Not only can new windows boost the value of your home, but the energy savings will reduce the money you spend each month to heat and cool your home. On average, you can expect to pay $550 to $850 for each window. Labor will add an additional $38 an hour.
On the other hand, double-paned windows cost 10 to 15 percent less. Single-paned windows, of course, are the cheapest, but offer little efficiency. Overtime, however, triple-paned windows may recoup your investment in energy savings. You'll see a faster return on your investment if you replace all your windows at once.
If your only concern is noise, triple pane windows may be a waste of money. This is because studies have shown that in general, the noise reduction provided by triple pane isn't much different than the noise reduction in double pane windows.
You may actually get better noise reduction by choosing the asymmetrically glazed double pane window. Asymmetrical glazing refers to the process of using glass sheets with different thicknesses. In some cases, one window pane is made from laminated acoustic glass, which further reduces noise.
Windows come in many styles, so choosing the right one for your home can be difficult. If you want a great investment, however, triple pane windows may be a good choice. On the other hand, if you are happy with your home's energy-efficiency but want less noise, triple pane windows may actually just be a waste of money.
For more information about single, double and triple-paned windows, contact us at City Glass of Bloomington, Inc., today.
ADDRESS: 719 W. 17th St., Bloomington, IN 47404
PHONE: (800) 678-0138
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