Should I Get Double or Triple Glazing?

When it comes to improving your home’s efficiency, upgraded glazing can provide a wealth of value. New windows not only freshen your home’s aesthetics, they provide a wealth of benefits across the board.

You know you need to improve your glazing, but where do you begin? We look at the benefits of both double and triple glazing so you can decide which is right for your home.

The difference between double and triple glazing

The main difference between double glazing and triple glazing is the amount of panes of glass: double glazing features two panes of glass, whereas triple glazing features three panes of glass. 

The difference in the amount of panes can make a huge difference to certain aspects of your glazing. Energy efficiency, draughts, and security are all different between double glazing and triple glazing, but there are many considerations to make before you make a decision.

Initially there can be a vast difference in cost between double and triple glazing. Less widely accessible, triple glazing can front a higher cost than most double glazing alternatives. Double glazing on the other hand is very widely manufactured across the UK with an extensive amount of professional installers.

U-values may also differ between triple and double glazing. In most cases, triple glazing will boast high efficiency due to its additional thermal properties, but you should always compare the u-values between the products you are looking at.

The benefits of Double Glazing

Double glazing is highly popular within most private, residential and commercial properties. Double glazed windows and double glazed doors are among the most common types of glazed products, and both can boast superior thermal efficiency against single-glazed alternatives.

In some cases single-glazing windows may be present in a property. This is common in older properties, and listed buildings that do not allow the installation of different windows. 

In the case that your home still has single glazed windows or doors, double glazing can provide a wealth of benefits:

1. Increased insulation: compared to single glazed windows, double glazing can exponentially increase your home’s insulation, resulting in lower energy consumption. This can help reduce your energy bills by reducing the amount of heat lost within your home. 
2. Heightened Security: Not only do single glazed windows offer minimal thermal efficiency, they also provide very poor security. By adding an additional layer of thick glass with a double glazed window there is an additional physical barrier between your home and the outside.
3. Noise Reduction: The space between the 2 panes of glass acts as a sound barrier. You may notice a huge increase in noise reduction if you are upgrading to double glazed windows.
4. Cost-Effective: Double glazing is widely manufactured and supplied across the UK. It is easily accessible and much cheaper to produce than triple glazing. There are many double glazing installers around the UK that have years of experience installing double glazing. Triple glazing on the other hand is a more expensive alternative that is less accessible.

The benefits of Triple Glazing

Understanding how your home can benefit from double glazing is an important factor before upgrading your windows and doors. Double glazing might look like “it’ll do”, but will it really provide your home with the improvements that it needs?

In some circumstances triple glazing can provide additional benefits that double glazing cannot:

1. Increased Efficiency/Lower Bills: most triple glazing windows produce a lower u-value than double glazing windows, making them much more efficient. This in turn can reduce your heating bills throughout the year, especially in the colder months. It will also help keep your home cooler in the summer, as heat is harder to transfer.
2. Superior Security: where double glazing improved upon single glazing in terms of security, triple glazing adds another layer. This can exponentially help protection from break ins. 
3. Increased Home Value: when it comes to purchasing a new home, many homeowners are looking for energy efficient homes. If your home can provide sustainable heating throughout the colder months, you can promise prospects that your home will retain its heat throughout the winter.
4. High Durability & Lifespan: triple glazing, when installed correctly, can boast an increased lifespan over double glazed alternatives. 

Should I get double glazing or triple glazing?

If you are looking to upgrade your glazing in your home then it’s important to consider what it is that your home needs. If you’re looking to improve your glazing on a budget, then there are many double glazing options that might be more suitable for you. 

The most important thing to consider when it comes to efficiency is the u-value of your upgraded glazing. Always look for lower u-values if you are looking for better efficiency from your glazing.