Triple glazed windows become more and more popular every year in Canadian homes. They are often installed automatically in new build homes across the country and are more often than ever being installed into older homes to increase their value and efficiency.
So, what exactly are triple glazed windows, and should you invest in some for your home? We have contacted Ecoline, Canadian windows replacement experts, to help us cover the above-mentioned questions. Interested? Keep reading.
What is a Triple-Glazed Window?
Triple glazed windows are windows with three panes of glass separated by an inert gas, such as argon. These gaps of gas are what make triple glazing effective in multiple different ways. Triple glazed windows were first introduced in Sweden and are increasingly popular in colder climate homes. They are also more common as building codes are following the Department of Energy’s drive for R-5, or hurricane-resistant windows, and now that the Greener Homes Grant exists, granting money for retrofits.
Why should you Invest in Triple Glazed Windows?
There are 4 main reasons that tripled glazed windows make a good investment:
- They are energy efficient
- They prevent noise from outside
- They reduce condensation
- And they improve the security of your home
Particularly if you live in a colder climate, triple glazed windows can help you save money on your energy bills and help reduce your carbon footprint too. Let’s take a look at each advantage in more detail:
Energy-Efficient:
The most significant benefit of all for triple glazed windows is their energy efficiency.
The gaps of argon gas in-between the panes in the window allow the windows to have a low “U-value.” The “U-value” of material measures its effectiveness as a heat insulator, with lower values allowing less heat to escape and thus being more energy-efficient.
The argon gas between the panes is a poor conductor, and so its addition improves the overall thermal performance of the windows by reducing the rates of heat loss from home and so reducing energy wastage.
Reducing this wastage has a direct effect on how much money you spend on your heating bills, especially during the winter and in cold climates.
The reduced energy wastage is also better for the environment, as it reduces your home’s carbon footprint.
Noise-Reducing:
The three layers of glass in triple-glazed windows prevent external noise from coming into your home much more than single- or double-glazed windows. This makes triple glazing ideal for homes in busy, loud areas like those in cities or beside busy roads.
It is also ideal for bedrooms if you are a light sleeper and want some extra peace and quiet.
Condensation Eliminating:
Experts from https://www.ecolinewindows.ca claim that as triple glazing reduces the chances of hot air escaping from your home through the windows, there is less opportunity for warm air to turn into condensation when it comes up against a cold window.
Triple glazed windows significantly reduce the chance of having fogged-up windows in your home during winter, and so reduce the chance of ruining your views or having to clean the inside of your windows more often.
Home Security Improving:
Having three panes of glass in triple-glazed windows makes them more secure against external intrusion. The windows are much thicker and have much less chance of smashing if hit with a hard object.
Having triple-glazed windows allows you to sleep easier at night and feel more comfortable leaving your home unattended, as you have less chance of burglaries and theft.
A Few More Things to Consider…
While there are so many benefits to installing triple-glazed windows into your home, it is essential to note that they might not be the right fit for every home, and there are a couple of cons to think about before you buy.
- First of all, triple glazed windows are quite significantly more expensive than double glazed windows. For homes where the energy-saving nature of the windows will save money in the long run, in terms of reduced bills, this will outweigh the initial cost of the windows and their installation.
- However, the energy-saving advantages might not be enough for homes in less wintery climates to make this initial cost worth it. It’s worth considering how much you spend on heating and energy bills per month and then deciding what window will work the best for you financially.
- Triple glazed windows are also a lot heavier than other windows, and so it is crucial that they are fitted correctly and that the walls in your home can support them. It is important to get an experienced and reliable window installer so that everything can be done correctly and in adherence to building code.
To Sum Up
There are many reasons that Canadian homeowners choose to install triple-glazed windows in their homes. Mainly to keep the heat in and the noise, condensation, and burglars out.
Triple glazing is the most beneficial option if you are looking to reduce the carbon footprint of your home, with the windows’ structure allowing less energy wastage. This, in turn, has a positive impact on how much you pay in energy bills every month.
However, there are some things to consider before you jump into purchasing triple-glazed windows. They are more expensive, and they are heavy. This means you need to weigh up your financial needs in terms of initial cost vs. bills in a long time, and you need to make sure that the structure of your home can hold the windows themselves.
With these things in mind, you should be more able to make a decision for your home on whether triple glazing is the right fit.