Double Vs Triple glazing – which glazing should I choose for my home?

Upgrading your windows is a fantastic way to enhance your home’s comfort, security, and energy efficiency. But while you may have chosen between casement windows or sash windows, for example, when it comes to choosing the right glazing, confusion often arises between double glazing, the established standard, and triple glazing. The glass you choose in your windows can make a significant difference to how they perform once installed in your home. To help you make an informed decision between double and triple glazing, we have highlighted the differences between them.

Understanding the basics.

Both double and triple glazing utilise multiple panes of glass separated by a sealed air gap. This gap acts as an insulator, significantly reducing heat transfer between the outside and inside of your home. However, the key difference lies in the number of panes:

Double Glazing

Double glazing is a sealed glass unit that has two glass panes with an air gap in between. It is the most popular choice for UK homeowners.

Triple Glazing

Triple glazing is a sealed glass unit that features a third pane of glass separated by two air gaps.

What are the differences in performance between double glazing and triple glazing?

Having new windows installed means that they should help with heat loss and retaining heat in your home, keeping noise out and making your property more secure. Double glazing and triple glazing perform differently with all three.

Energy efficiency:

Glass is a crucial factor in defining the energy performance of your windows. With triple glazing boasting better insulation due to the additional pane and air gap, this translates to better thermal efficiency in winter, keeping your home warmer and reducing reliance on central heating, potentially leading to lower energy bills. Double glazing also reduces the thermal transmission of hot and cold air and provides excellent thermal performance, offering significant energy savings compared to single glazing and helping to reduce your carbon emissions.

Sound insulation:

Both double and triple glazing provide excellent noise reduction compared to single glazing. Triple glazing typically offers slightly better soundproofing due to the extra pane and air gap, making it a good choice for homes in noisy environments, or on a busy road, that suffer from noise pollution.

Security:

Both types offer enhanced security compared to single glazing. The additional panes make windows more difficult to break through. Additionally, with double and triple glazing, you can choose laminated glass options for further security reinforcement.

Other considerations.

There are some other things you need to take into consideration when deciding on what glazing to choose for your replacement windows. Double glazing is the most cost-effective option while triple glazing costs are generally more expensive than double glazing due to the additional materials and manufacturing process. Triple glazing units are heavier than double glazing which may require stronger window frames for installation. The greater depth of frame means that triple glazing cannot always be retrofitted to your existing window frames.

So, which glazing should you choose?

The best choice for your home depends on your specific needs and priorities. If you live in a cold climate with harsh winters, or an exposed property next to the coast which will feel the chill in the colder months, triple glazing may offer a more significant benefit. Triple glazing is particularly effective in colder climates or homes with large windows facing north. In some cases, the additional benefit of triple glazing might be minimal depending on the location of your home and your heating requirements. If you want to maximise energy savings and reduce your heating bills then consider your home’s location and heating habits as double glazing might be sufficient in some cases. If your home is in a noisy area, triple glazing could provide additional soundproofing benefits, or specialist noise-reducing double glazing. If you have a budget, then double glazing will be more cost-effective as triple glazing comes at a higher cost.

What is Comfort Glass?

Comfort Glass is a significant step up from standard double glazing, combining two highly efficient glazing panels with a built-in laminate layer and a special transparent Low-E coating that eliminates cold spots and stops internal heat from escaping. Comfort Glass may be the best solution for properties that are more exposed to harsher weather for a more comfortable living environment.

Is Comfort Glass better than triple glazing?

Despite the extra cost, triple glazing is becoming more popular. However, three panes of glass are not always better than two and when it comes to making your home more comfortable and energy efficient, double glazing will suffice with high-performance Comfort Glass, meaning you do not need costly and bulky triple glazing. With specially coated glass you not only get the same level of insulation as a triple-glazed unit in terms of energy efficiency, but you also get all the benefits triple glazing doesn’t provide, making it a great initial investment. The smart Low-E coatings on the glass, a one-way door for trapping and holding energy, stops 56% more internal heat escaping, while it also provides 20% better noise reduction than older-style double glazing and is also better than triple glazing for reducing outside noise. As the glass is laminated, it doesn’t shatter, making it much more secure, and it also helps protect furniture from fading, blocking 99% of damaging UV rays.

SEHBAC: Your partner in energy-efficient windows

At SEH BAC, we offer a comprehensive range of high-quality double-glazed windows in five functional styles and high-performance materials, uPVC and aluminium, to suit your needs and budget for the best window upgrades. Our double glazing options include EcoMAX Glass™, which matches any A-rated unit and comes as standard on all uPVC and aluminium products, and Comfort Glass, which has been designed to outperform triple glazing thanks to the inclusion of a tough laminated layer and an effective Low-E coating. Our double glazing can attain A+ energy ratings and achieve U-values of 1.2 w/m2K. With more than 50 years’ experience installing to homes in the South East, our team can guide you through the best glazing option for your home while our experienced fitters ensure your new windows are installed securely and efficiently. Contact us today to discuss your requirements, or visit one of our 11 showrooms and find out how our double glazing is a better option than triple.