Over time, older windows and doors can gradually succumb to wear and tear. Aside from hurting the aesthetics and saleability of your home, worn windows are also more prone to condensation and heat loss, which leads to higher energy bills.
If your current windows and doors are losing their luster, it’s worth enquiring about having them replaced by a reputable glazing company. However, this is a considered purchase and you need to be sure on exactly what style and specification of glazing would best suit your needs and budget.
Double and Triple-Glazed: What’s the difference and why does it matter?
When it comes to new windows and doors, one of the biggest dilemmas faced by homeowners is whether to opt for double or triple-glazing. But, what exactly do these terms mean and how do the two specifications differ?
The clue is in the name; the fundamental difference between the two is that double-glazed windows incorporate two panes of glass, whilst triple-glazed units have three. For this reason, triple-glazed units tend to be slightly heavier.
Around 93% of UK households currently have double-glazing installed, making it the more popular option by a landslide. But, which is the best for you and your home?
To help you make an informed decision on this matter, let’s take a comparative look at double and triple-glazed windows and doors. We’ll examine how they both stack up when it comes to style options, energy efficiency and overall return on investment. Let’s get started …
Style and Design
Today’s leading window and door companies offer an excellent choice of frames, finishes and aesthetic touches with both their double and triple-glazed ranges. So, whether you have a traditional, bohemian or contemporary look in mind, you shouldn’t find yourself short of style options, regardless of whether you decide on double or triple-glazed units.
Energy Efficiency
Good quality windows help to retain heat in the cold winter months and keep your home suitably cool during the summer. But, how do double and triple-glazed windows compare in the energy efficiency stakes?
U-value is the industry standard metric for evaluating the energy efficiency of glazing units. A high-quality double-glazed unit may have a centre-pane U-value of around 1.1 W/M²K, whereas a commensurate triple-glazed unit can have a centre-pane U-value of 0.8 or less.
So, as you may expect, triple-glazed windows do outperform their double-glazed equivalents when it comes to energy savings. With that said, today’s high-end double-glazed windows still fare well in this category and can offer homeowners excellent value for money.
Cost and Return on Investment
On a related note, let’s compare the cost. Double-glazing is of course the cheaper option. You can expect to pay at least 30% more for triple-glazed units. But, is it worth paying such a premium for the increased energy efficiency?
Well, those operating on a smaller budget certainly shouldn’t worry about losing out by opting for double-glazed units, providing they are manufactured and installed to a high standard.
However, triple-glazed units are worth considering for new build homes and for those aspiring to put their homes on the market. Modern triple-glazed units can help to ‘future-proof’ a home and as such are an attractive feature for any prospective buyers.
We hope you found our article useful. Whether you ultimately decide on double or triple-glazed windows and doors for your home, we hope you’re happy with your purchase.