Thinking about reducing that by improving the efficiency of your doors and windows? We all know that makes a significant difference to our homes but is it worth going the extra mile (and expense), to install ?
Instead of two panes of , a requires three.
This improves the u-value of the , which is how the product is measured in terms of . The lower the u-value, the better.
Factors that contribute to the efficiency of this are the use of between the panes, low emissivity coatings and aluminium spacers.
Naturally, the more panes there are, the more opportunity to add each of these elements.
doesn’t mean you have to compromise on design. The of can be incorporated into whatever style choices you make.
and thermal efficiency (u-value)
As already outlined, ensures an impressive u-value of around 0.3.
This can be of great benefit if you have rooms that do not receive much direct sunlight or rooms that are difficult to .
The thickness of a unit is roughly 36 mm but this can be increased to a maximum of, somewhere in the region of, 52 mm, providing even greater value efficiency.
The addition of an of means that the internal temperature of the is closer in match to the temperature of the room. This means less which in turn, creates a more comfortable, snug environment.
looks pretty much identical to so the beauty of this is that you can mix and match.
Rooms that don’t need can be fitted with yet still retain the same look to ensure continuity throughout the home.
for security
The security of is significantly increased due to the of .
Double and triple glazed profiles are made with toughened and as such, is extremely hard to break, meeting all relevant Building Standards and Regulations.
It is important to remember that by installing into our homes, we are already making them infinitely more secure than . It would take some force to break a double glazed unit.
In the unlikely event of an object hitting the outside of a , the inside would not be broken. It is worthwhile remembering then, that to replace a would be more costly than replacing a double glazed unit.
Features such as sturdy frames, internal beading, locks and professional fitting techniques are what makes the replacement windows secure.
Is reduction better with ?
is a bad conductor of sound given it is a rigid material.
If there is considerable pollution outside your home, any increased thickness or spacing in between the will be key.
There is a natural assumption that , compared to its counterpart, will offer better reduction simply due to its of .
It is worth noting that a good quality double with high spec sealed units and gaps between the panes of around 16-20mm will be the most thermally efficient and produce the best protection.
If triple were to improve upon this, the gaps between the panes need to be no less than 16 mm, otherwise they will not match the efficiency of .
Should I Get ?
Does the of increase efficiency and reduction enough to warrant the higher price tag of ?
Let’s look at the u-value in more detail. The u-value of a standard, brick house wall is about 0.8.
By comparison, the installation of will provide a u-value of around 5 – shocking!
However, thanks to the invention of , a u-value of between 3 and 1.6 (depending on how long ago it was installed) can exist in our homes.
Finally, will rate at around 0.3 and well on its way to banishing weak efficiency of a building.
Because of the more demanding weather conditions, many Scandinavian countries, already provide as a standard practise, whilst in the UK, the debate between the two goes on.
Homeowners will need to check the specification and measurements of the manufacturer’s units to ensure paying extra for is really worthwhile.
If the chosen units are a thickness of 44mm or more, for instance, then you can expect a 40% increase in .
That said, the extra thickness of you would require for to be worthwhile will also impact on the weight of the unit.
Making sure the hinge technology lives up to any extra weight is another area for consideration.
The next question ought to be about what the gaps are filled with? Krypton gas is more expensive but works better on smaller spaces than argon gas.
Wider units will also have a bearing on the type of bead detail, again a personal choice but worth checking if you have specific ideas on aesthetics.
So, clearly there is much to consider and it is certainly not a cut and dry case of being superior to with so many variables.
The triple glazed door
All the benefits afforded to glazed windows will of course extend also to doors.
The higher u-value; thickness of to achieve an ‘A’ rating and the three panes offering extra strength and durability can all be beneficial to your external, patio, French, bi-fold and sliding doors.
Many people gain peace of mind, knowing that the largest opening into the (often hidden) back of the house is made of high spec, triple glazed units and therefore, more secure.
Additionally, the sheer amount of area which potentially allows may be your reason for choosing even whilst other windows in your home are double glazed.
Whilst there may be some limits in terms of style, most manufacturers are able to install all of their door products with either double or triple glazed units.
As with windows, it will be necessary to compare the cost of both types of and weighing up the benefits, before making a decision.
prices
The money-minded homeowner needs to be well-informed when weighing up the choice between double and .
As a rough guide, each made with will cost around £100 more than the same in , based on one square metre of – an average 4 ft .
Yes, the cost of is much higher and, unless you live in a particularly or experience high pollution, you may want to think about how long it would take to claw back the finances of a high quality compared to the slight increase in efficiency.
On reflection…
We’ve talked a lot about but frames are equally important.
Ensuring the frames of your double or triple glazed units are well insulated requires reflection too as this is a major area.
Thicker, furnishings and keeping them closed at night is surprisingly helpful when it comes to efficiency and of course, at little extra cost.
Deciding which type of – double or triple – is best for your property, lies in a conversation with your installer.
They will take everything into account; what issues you currently have with your windows, the environment of your home, your design choices and provide you with recommendations and a like-for-like price comparison.
Only then, can you decide if is worth the extra ‘’!
Hi, Matt here! I started out almost 20 years ago as a teenager working in the family business fitting doors, windows and conservatories. I now run this website to share the best tips and advice for anyone looking to get a good deal on double glazing.
