Double Pane vs Triple Pane Windows

You’re at the point in your relationship with your home to make the game-time decision of a serious investment: windows.  Windows are often the bane of a homeowner’s existence, a looming project that detracts from the need to complete other nagging house problems.

With so many options nowadays for windows, it can be difficult to navigate through the vast amount of considerations you will need to make before making the commitment.  But for now, you must focus on one of several of these choices: double vs triple pane windows?

Pros and Cons of Double and Triple Pane Windows

There’s a lot of talk going around about double and triple pane windows.  The debate being which style of window is superior, and in figuring out fact from fiction, you’ll have to start with the pros and cons.  Every home is different, and so the argument becomes less about which window is better and more about whether double or triple pane windows are right for you.

A Look Into Costs

Even if you are not familiar with windows and their respective costs, you can probably take a guess that double pane windows cost less than triple pane. There’s a reason why double pane windows are a top-seller nationwide, and that’s because people can afford them and they truly do seem to get the job done.

Alternatively, triple pane windows may be more expensive, but with the added pane in the mix, you are paying for what is considered to be the most superior style of window on the market.  Ultimately, when examining the costs, there’s no hidden motive behind either window—either you pay for the extra pane and enjoy the perks that come with it, or you make the jump with double pane windows instead.

What About Energy Savings?

Right after initial costs, homeowners are quick to assess how energy efficient their new windows will be.  Windows are an expensive investment, but if you are planning to stay in your home for a while at the very least, you can expect your new windows to pay you back in energy savings and high-quality windows will do so.

That being said, you can find high-quality windows in both double and triple pane styles.  Triple pane is, of course, better at conserving energy than its counterpart.  For standard double pane windows, you can expect about 90% of the energy to be retained, and as far as efficiency is concerned, this is far better than average.

For triple pane windows, you can assume the extra pane will provide even more energy conservation, and you aren’t incorrect.  As opposed to a double pane’s 90% energy retention, a triple pane window will hold about 97% of your home’s energy inside.

The Perks of Triple Pane Windows

We’ve talked about how triple pane windows undoubtedly cost more than double pane windows, but what are you paying for, exactly?  There’s no scam in triple pane windows and you can trust that your money is going to give you a few advantages over those that are double paned.

Triple pane windows excel at reducing condensation, and for cold winter months, this is an immense benefit.  A higher indoor relative humidity helps regulate the temperature inside your home during the chillier months, allowing for the heat to be kept inside without overworking your poor furnace.

Of course, with almost no condensation on the windows, you don’t have to fret over the possibilities of mold, mildew, or the potential of water to compromise your home’s structural integrity.  You might not believe that a little window condensation has the ability to cause such serious damages, but you would be sorely mistaken.

Over time, any moisture that has collected or has been retained by your home’s walls or foundation can weaken it, and this could lead to hundreds of dollars worth of repairs.

People are enticed by a home with triple pane windows and this will subsequently raise the value of your home.  Even if you are planning on selling your home and moving on to the next one, forfeiting the chance to enjoy the triple pane’s energy efficiency savings, you will certainly stand to see a return on your investment as apart of the resell value.

Triple pane windows absolutely have the market cornered in terms of energy savings.  It makes sense, with the extra pane conserving energy so efficiently that no other style really competes with its capabilities.

And to top it all off, you are probably aware you can have your windows filled with argon or krypton gas, which makes the air denser, reducing the chance for energy to escape.  A gas-filled triple pane window cannot be beaten when energy conservation is concerned.

Yes, there are perks to getting triple pane windows, but unless you live in a climate with harsh winters and even harsher freezing temperatures, there’s no reason to avoid the double pane window.  And if you live in an older home with the original windows, the reality is that any replacement window regardless of how many panes it has will be better than your current set!

Why Not Both?

Who says you have to go with an entire house of windows all adhering to just one style?  Even modest homes can have a few triple pane windows in the mix to enjoy the perks of the added pane, while having the rest of the home fitted with double pane windows.

If you do choose to go this route, get triple pane windows where they will be most effective in saving energy in your home.  It is recommended that you have triple pane windows for your north-facing and east-facing rooms.  Or if you feel like springing to make that extra large window triple pane, you won’t regret it when it is time to sell your house or going to check out your energy bills.

Conclusively, there’s no wrong answer for windows.  A double pane window is still energy efficient and you will certainly see a return on your investment for this upgrade on your energy bills.  Even for your home’s resell value, a house fixed with double pane windows will still be attractive for potential homebuyers.

Consider your location, first and foremost before making the commitment to a certain style of window, your home may fare well with a few triple pane windows installed, or ultimately, it may not make too much of a difference if you find the weather to be fairly mild year-round.

The Decision is Clear

Everything matters when it comes to your home’s curb appeal and energy efficiency. In most cases, the quality of double pane and triple pane windows starts with good craftsmanship and superb installation. However, you won’t find a good company that manufactures their windows locally and offers quality windows and installation.

At Feldco, we are proud to serve Americans all over the Midwest and we’ve done so since 1976. Our local manufacturing and service are exceptional. We deliver on quality products and prices, local service and professional installation to keep customers satisfied. That’s why we’ve served over 400,000 delighted homeowners across the Midwest. Speak to a product specialist and get a free quote today.