Monday, April 28, 2008

Triple Pane Windows

Since everyone is looking for information about the benefits of triple pane windows I decided to answer some common questions.

Question: Are triple pane windows worth the extra money?

Answer: In my opinion, triple pane windows will make your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. With less of a strain on your heating and cooling units, they will without a question save you money on your heating and cooling bills.

Question: Are triple pane windows really heavy, are they too heavy?

Answer: No, not at all, the balance system that makes the window go up and down is designed to make the window go up and down with ease. In fact you would not notice a difference if you were blind folded and tried some double pane and triple pane windows.

Question: What's the deal with triple pane windows and the Low E window film?

Answer: Most good quality triple pane windows have two layers of the Low E film. The two layers will block out around 95% of the harmful UV rays compared to around 50% with double pane windows with only one layer.

Question: I hear that triple pane windows can use Krypton gas, is it better than Argon gas?

Answer: Krypton gas is more dense than Argon gas so it insulates better.

Question: Are all triple pane windows about the same when it comes to energy efficiency?

Answer: No! The ratings on triple pane windows are all over the place, you should really pay attention to the "U-factor" when shopping for windows, the lower the number the better. Also a window is only as good as it's frame, stay away from cheap frames.

Question: Should I pay attention to the spacer systems in the triple pane windows?

Answer: First off, a window spacer is what separates the panes of glass (some people are not aware of the term). Window spacers are a very important part of the "glass pack", I would stay away from any metal spacer system since they can transfer the heat from the inside of your home to the outside. I personally like the foam window spacers.

Question: How much should I plan on spending for triple pane windows?

Answer: I would plan on spending between $700-$1000 for a top grade triple pane window. Replacement window cost is different in different areas of the country and there is a difference in cost between the brands.

Question: How do I find good replacement window companies for my project?

Answer: If you live in MA or RI you can contact my replacement window company and if you live in any other state you can request a couple free window estimates by clicking here.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I was reading through your blog and found it to be pretty solid. The only comment that I have is regarding your "R-factor" sentence. You want a higher, not lower "R" value (which I'm sure you knew)

WindowPros said...

Thanks for catching that Bryan, I meant to use "U" instead of "R".