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Have you talked to a replacement window dealer who recommended triple pane windows as a better value for your Long Island home? If so, you may be wondering if the extra investment is really worth it for benefits gained in our area. This Renewal by Andersen of Long Island article will give you a brief comparison of double pane window styles and triple pane options for your home.
As the description suggests, a double pane replacement window has two glass panels joined together to provide added insulation over single pane styles. From the curb, there is no significant difference in the appearance of a single pane window and a double pane window unit. The differences are more easily measured in performance, like lowering heating and air conditioning costs and improving indoor air quality.
Dual pane replacement windows have special spacers that separate the panes. Triple pane windows, as the name suggests, include three panes and two air spacers. They are more energy efficient, but the price difference over dual pane windows is significant. Depending on the brand you chose, you can expect to pay between 20 percent and 40 percent more for a triple pane window unit on Long Island.
Frame material plays a vital role in determining how well a window unit controls heat transfer, when comparing different brands, make sure you are comparing apples to apples – wood, metal, vinyl and Fibrex all have unique performance ratings. The best choice is a frame that is durable, sturdy, low-maintenance and proven to increase energy-efficiency. Double pane insulated glass windows in a Fibrex frame offer an added insulating feature that improves overall energy efficiency.
When comparing triple- and double-pane replacement window styles, you may also hear that krypton gas is superior to argon gas fill. While krypton does provide better insulation than argon, you’ll pay more, a lot more, for the added energy-efficiency. In an arctic environment, investing in an extra glass panel and krypton gas may be worth the added spend, but on Long Island, where are temperature fluctuations aren’t nearly as extreme, you won’t notice much difference in monthly heating and cooling bills. In fact, you’ll likely never recoup the extra expense of triple paned windows in heating and cooling savings. A better way to ensure maximum energy savings every month is selecting the correct glass solution.
When comparing industry ratings, such as SHGC, U-Values and air leakage indicators, you’ll find triple pane replacement windows offer approximately 20 percent to 30 percent better energy ratings. However, rather than rely solely on these “improved” ratings numbers, it is wiser to explore region specific recommendations from independent agencies such as Energy.gov or the National Fenestration Rating Council based on Long Island weather patterns. Why should you pay more for windows designed for sub-arctic climates, when we rarely, if ever, experience weeks of 20 degrees below zero temperatures?
Another thing to consider is that three glass panes weigh one-third more than two, and some window dealers have been known not to strengthen their frames, which could mean the window fails prematurely.
One benefit of triple pane replacement windows that no one will argue with is the added noise reduction. Adding an additional pane of glass does block more outside noise. If you live near a ball park or outdoor entertainment venue, the extra money may be a splurge you are willing to live with, but there are few situations that justify the added expense.
Still have questions about the differences between double pane and triple pane replacement windows? Just fill in the short form on this page or schedule a home consultation by dialing (866) 609-5033 to get the answers you need.
Check out this post for more information on replacement window glass.
Learn Everything You Need to Know BEFORE Buying Replacement Windows