Energy Swing Windows & Doors | Window & Door Encyclopedia | What is triple glazing or triple glass?

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A triple glazed window consists of three sheets of glass separated by two air/gas gaps. The air gaps provide the insulating layers that slow down the heat loss and reduce the opportunity for condensation to form. Expertly designed, assembled, and installed triple glazed windows can slightly reduce energy usage compared to double glazing. However, in order for it to outperform a double glazed unit with Low-E and Argon, it must also utilize Low-E glass and incorporate some type of insert glass, such as Argon or Krypton. Most triple glazed units are made with three sheets of glass (some with Low-E) assembled into a three-layer sandwich with two narrow sealed spaces in between. In most cases, but not all, these spaces are filled with Argon, Krypton, or some combination of the two. A triple glazed assembly can also be made by using a single glass storm panel in conjunction with a double glazed insulating glass unit. The drawback here is more glass surface to clean. A triple glazed unit will cost more than its double glazed equivalent. The question becomes, “Can the slightly increased performance justify the added expense?” It is generally agreed that since the performance difference between double and triple glazing would be relatively minor, the additional costs are hard to justify on energy savings alone. In most cases, the high cost of the triple pane window cannot overcome the potential savings on heating and cooling bills. However, homeowners located in colder climates with long, extended winters may find the trade-off in costs worthwhile. As a cost effective alternative to triple glazing, it might make more sense to revisit the traditional practice of drawing curtains across your windows after dark. It may be low-tech in comparison with glazed cavities filled with krypton, but it does cut down on heat loss. 16. What is triple glazing or triple glass? WINDOW GLASS