Category: News

After the double glazing boom of the 1970s, double glazed windows quickly became a commonplace feature within modern homes. Today, it’s only natural that the homeowners that can afford to do so are looking to upgrade their windows beyond standard. The next logical step in upgrading from double glazing is to have triple glazed windows.

However, adding extra layers to your windows can only offer so many benefits. The performance of your windows also depends on climate. Rather than jumping straight in and investing in triple glazing without weighing up the pros and cons, this guide to whether triple glazing would work for you can help you decide.

What is Triple Glazing?

If you know what double glazing is already, the term ‘triple glazing’ speaks for itself. Triple glazing features an additional pane of glass alongside the two found within double glazed windows. This creates two gas-filled spaces within the window, rather than one.

Triple glazed windows can offer more insulating impact than double glazed windows can, since the amount of heat that can pass through the window is reduced with each additional layer of glass.

How Does it Compare to Double Glazing?

Cost

When considering the benefits of triple glazing vs. double glazing, cost becomes a significant factor. The cost of any window can vary drastically depending on frame material, size, treatments, and any additional features. The price of standard uPVC double glazed windows is relatively affordable, with the manufacture and installation of a classic casement window costing about £450 on average (as of April 2022). If we imagine an average semi-detached 3-bed home has 9 windows, this will come to £4,050 per home.

Investing in double glazing can end up being cost-effective in the long term. The energy efficient properties of A-rated double glazing windows can save homeowners up to £175 per year on their heating bills.

Taking into account the rising cost of fuel, triple glazed windows may be more cost effective than they once were. The average cost of a triple glazed window is around £550, so for a 9-window house this would be £4,950. Triple glazing is 20% more expensive than double glazing, but is it 20% more efficient?

Climate

The more energy efficient windows are in certain climates, the more money they will save homeowners. So, climate and cost go hand in hand when considering whether triple glazed windows are worth it. Those countries that have adopted triple glazed windows as standard are also more likely to have more affordable installation options. Scandinavia now uses triple glazing as standard, as consistently cold weather conditions justify the cost of installation and can save more money.

While it can help retain heat inside, triple glazing also blocks more sunlight and heat from entering the house. This can make your home feel noticeably darker and even chillier than it otherwise would on warmer days.

Security

Triple glazed windows naturally add an extra layer of security to your home than double glazed windows – though double glazed windows are already sufficient to stop most burglaries.

Sound Insulation

The most compelling benefit to installing triple glazing is the extra level of sound insulation it can offer. For those living in high traffic and built-up areas or main roads, that extra layer of sound protection can make all the difference. At a time when many people are working from home, it’s worth considering whether the sound insulating properties of triple glazing would ramp up your productivity levels in your office.

How Much Heat Can It Retain?

The U value of a window can be found on its energy label. Simply put, the u value explains how much heat can pass through a window with ease. The higher the U value, the more heat can escape your home through the windowpanes.

The U value of standard double glazing is ~1.4W/m²k. The U value of triple glazing is ~0.8W/m²k, so less heat can pass through a triple glazed window. Triple glazed windows therefore offer a 5% improvement in energy performance.

The energy performance of your windows alone doesn’t add up to all that much if you’re not investing in retaining heat in the rest of the house. If you are installing triple glazed windows, you might only noticeably benefit from their heat retaining impact if you subsequently insulate the rest of your home to such a high standard. This would incur more costs, further increasing the amount you’ll have to spend to see any returns on your investment.

Do I Need Triple Glazing?

Triple glazing has become a tempting upgrade for those who want to go all out on their property. For example, self-built homes are increasingly using triple glazed windows, as the option to install them from the beginning is there, with no replacement fees involved.

From an energy efficiency point of view, having all your double glazed windows replaced with triple glazed ones won’t make too much of a difference. Having single pane windows replaced with triple glazing is worth it, as triple glazing offers up to 50% more energy efficiency in comparison. In this scenario you could still opt for double glazing, which is almost as effective and quite a bit more affordable.

If tempted by the promise of extra comfort, you don’t have to have a whole house replaced with triple glazing. If you do opt for some triple glazed windows, you can choose to insulate only the rooms that would benefit you most.

What is Quadruple Glazing?

The innovations in double glazing don’t stop at three layers. Quadruple glazing – again, as its name suggests – features four layers of glass with three gas-filled gaps in between them.

The use of quadruple glazing is typically only found within very cold climates that remain at freezing temperatures or in the dark throughout most of the year. This is because the additional layer of glass and gas block the heat from sunlight from penetrating the window, as well as the cold. This can lead to those with quadruple glazing turning on the heating despite an otherwise warm day – reducing the energy efficiency of these windows for plenty of climates.

Windows with up to 6 panes are now available, though whether the benefits of using them will ever justify ever the cost is up for debate.

Verdict: Double Glazing vs. Triple Glazing

Considering climate, energy efficiency, and cost – double glazing remains the most efficient option for those living in the UK. They still allow the heat from sunlight to warm the home, while impressively reducing the loss of heat from within the home on cold winter days.

That’s not to say innovations in triple glazing won’t outshine its predecessor with time. US-based researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory developed what they called the “super window” back in 2018. Their design is a low-E triple glazed invention featuring a super-thin layer of glass as the third pane. They replaced the argon gas between the panes with highly insulating krypton.

It sounds just like a standard triple glazed window – however, these windows weigh almost the same, and are virtually the same dimensions, as their popular double-glazed counterparts in the US. This means only the windowpanes need to be replaced, while the frames can remain, cutting a significant portion from the cost of having triple glazed windows installed. When a great deal of the comparison between double glazing vs. triple glazing concentrates on cost, there is potential for further, more cost-efficient inventions to promote the uptake of triple glazing in the future.

Until then, we’re saving our money and sticking with double glazed! Well-maintained double glazed windows are highly energy efficient, whereas a failed double glazing window can cause up to 30% of heat loss within your home. If your double glazed windows need repairing, get in touch with us at Cloudy2Clear for a free, no-obligation quote. Call our expert team on 0800 61 21 119 to get started.

Damp can be a common problem in homes throughout the UK, which may be due to our relatively wet climate. In 2021, the English Housing Survey discovered that over 900,000 homes had issues with damp and mould. This survey found that 11% of the homes with damp issues were in the private rental sector. In comparison to this, only 2% of homes occupied by their owners had similar problems.

This comparison sparks an interesting debate. Under the Homes Act, set out in 2018, landlords do have a responsibility to ensure rental homes are ‘fit for human habitation’. This includes making repairs to the structure of the house, drains, and exterior windows.

Whether you are a homeowner or a landlord, it goes without saying that preventing damp should be a priority. Damp and mould issues can quickly spread, causing a deterioration of surrounding structures and furnishings – as well as posing dangerous health hazards. However, when you do not live in the home yourself, how can you ensure the property remains free from damp and mould?

One of the main ways to prevent damp is to make sure the home is properly insulated with quality double glazed windows and doors. Here is our guide on how to ventilate your property and prevent damp.

Why Ventilate Your Home?

Ventilation is essential in controlling the moisture levels within your home. Everyday activities such as cooking, showering, and even breathing release moisture into the air.

The science behind the need for ventilation is simple. When moisture-heavy air is not adequately vented out, it increases the relative humidity levels inside the home. This moisture needs somewhere to settle, so it begins to infiltrate any porous surfaces within your space.

When you notice the tiles in your bathroom are wet after a shower, this is because the droplets have settled on the cold tiles. The same thing happens when moist air settles on other surfaces – but it penetrates porous surfaces such as walls, furniture, and carpets. This leads to damp and mould in the home.

Signs You Need to Ventilate Your Home

High humidity creates an ideal environment for the growth of mould. Humid spaces are also one of the reasons dust mites can become so problematic. Healthwise, damp and mould can trigger allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and worsen asthma symptoms.

Although this is worrying enough, damp conditions and excess moisture within your home can cause more than health symptoms. Damp can lead to several further problems that can become expensive to fix. It can cause structural damage to your property, including rotting wood, peeling paint, and crumbling plaster.

One of the early signs of poor ventilation is condensation appearing on your windows. This often looks like mist or fog that has somehow entered the gap between your windowpanes.

These signs indicate a high level of humidity inside your house. If they are not addressed quickly, condensation can lead to damp conditions. You may also notice a musty smell, or a feeling of stuffiness in your rooms. If this sounds familiar, the humidity levels in your house may be higher than the recommended 40-60%. If these signs are not addressed as soon as possible, they can lead to damp and mould.

How to Ventilate Your Home

Improving ventilation in your home is easier than you might think. Following these tips can help prevent damp from forming in the first place. The tricky part is getting everyone in the house to stick to the same routines.

Here are some practical tips for ventilating the home:

• Fresh Air – You should regularly open doors and windows – weather permitting – to allow fresh air to circulate within your home.
• Effective Airflow – You can create a cross breeze to ventilate the home naturally. This works if you open windows and doors on opposite sides of your house, promoting better airflow through the home.
• Exhaust Fans and Vents – Use exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen to extract humid air. Make sure everyone in your home is doing this.
• Keep it Clean – Clean these fans regularly for optimal functioning. Any dust that builds up on fans and vents means the unit cannot work as efficiently as it should.
• Use Dehumidifiers – Dehumidifiers can effectively reduce moisture levels in areas that are prone to damp. These include rooms like bathrooms, utility rooms and kitchens.

READ MORE: 5 Tricks You Hadn’t Thought of to Keep Cool at Home This Summer

Avoiding Sources of Damp

Prevention is better than a cure, and this principle certainly applies to damp. Once damp begins to spread, it can be very difficult to eliminate.

Here’s how you can avoid contributing to damp conditions:

• Laundry – Try not to dry clothes indoors. This can release a significant amount of moisture into your home.
• Showering – Limit shower times and use cold water when possible. This will reduce the amount of steam produced, which means less condensation in the bathroom.
• Cooking – Try to reduce the amount of steam in the kitchen by covering pots and pans on the hob with lids where you can. This can also lead to faster cooking!
• Check for Signs of Damp – Regularly inspect your home for signs of failed double glazing, leaky pipes and ineffective ventilation units. Seek professional repairs if you notice any signs of water infiltration, such as mould or damp around a window, a leaky roof, or cracks in walls.

Repair Faulty Double Glazing to Prevent Damp

If you’ve taken all these precautions, but still find condensation on your double glazed windows, it may be a sign that the sealant on your windows has failed. When this happens, moisture can get trapped between the windowpanes, leading to unsightly condensation.

At Cloudy2Clear, we specialise in replacing failed double glazing, preventing damp and ensuring your windows are as energy efficient as possible. Wherever possible, we replace the windowpane and not the frame. This keeps our services affordable and efficient, with minimal disruption to your home.

Contact us on 0800 61 21 119 today for a free, no obligation quotation.