Did you know that the extra layer within triple glazing can significantly enhance insulation when compared to double glazing? If you’re a business owner or Facilities Manager looking to improve energy efficiency, sustainability, and the comfort of your workspace, it’s time to consider upgrading your office glass and windows from double-glazing to triple-glazing.
The glazing experts at GLRE have put together this detailed guide outlining the differences between triple-glazing and double-glazing glass/windows, potential benefits, and cost variations.
Double glazing and triple glazing are both popular choices for enhancing the energy efficiency and insulation of windows. However, there are important technical differences between the two that set them apart. One of the main distinctions lies in the number of glass layers and the gas content used in the window construction — let’s explore these in more detail below.
Double glazing consists of 2 layers of glass separated by a space, often filled with air or an insulating gas like argon. This double-layered design helps reduce heat loss and noise transmission. The air or gas-filled gap acts as a barrier, preventing the transfer of heat from the inside to the outside and vice versa. This results in improved insulation and increased energy efficiency compared to single-glazed glass.
On the other hand, triple glazing takes insulation to the next level by incorporating 3 layers of glass. The additional glass layer creates an extra barrier against heat loss or gain. Furthermore, triple glazing usually includes 2 insulating gas-filled spaces, providing enhanced insulation properties compared to double glazing. The multiple glass layers and gas-filled gaps effectively restrict the movement of heat and sound, resulting in even greater energy efficiency and noise reduction.
The following table provides an overview of the differences and similarities between double and triple-glazing glass.
While double glazing does provide good insulation and noise reduction compared to single-glazed windows, triple glazing offers substantial improvements in both areas. For most businesses, the energy cost savings and long-term benefits of switching old double glazing to triple glazing far outweigh any extra upfront investment. It’s advised to consult a glazing expert to assess your building’s glazing for professional recommendations.
The next section outlines the perks and downsides of triple glazing for a better assessment of why your office building may benefit from an upgrade.
Double glazing has been popular for decades, but triple glazing is the new standard for energy efficiency and cost savings. Studies show buildings with more double and triple-glazed windows installed can save up to £155 per year in energy bills. While triple glazing can save some money in the long run—alongside other benefits—there are a few cons to consider as well, as outlined below.
While double glazing still has its place, for most commercial buildings, triple glazing is the superior choice for efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability over the long term. The investment in triple-glazed windows is well worth it — consider hiring glazing professionals with extensive experience for the best results.
Despite the benefits, most people wonder, is triple glazing worth it? Keep reading to learn more as we provide detailed answers in the following section.
Investing in triple glazing can be beneficial for many businesses despite the higher initial cost, and the pros discussed above justify this argument. If you’d like to know more as to why triple glazing is the superior choice compared to double glazing, check out the following sections, where we go into more detail.
With triple glazing, three panes of glass create two insulating air spaces instead of just one. This significantly improves the window’s thermal performance and reduces heat transfer. Businesses that upgrade from a double-glazed window to triple-glazing can significantly lower their heating bills annually.
The improved insulation also means more consistent indoor temperatures, reducing the need for heaters and fans. For most companies, the energy savings from triple glazing can offset the initial investment in just a few years.
The extra pane of glass in triple glazing provides superb noise insulation by blocking outside sounds. This can be a huge benefit for businesses located on busy roads or in loud areas. Employees will appreciate the quieter work environment, and customers will find the space more pleasant, resulting in increased productivity and turnover.
The double-air spaces in triple glazing help prevent warm, moist air from reaching the colder, still air gap between the inner and outer panes of glass. This helps get rid of condensation build-up, as well as reduce water spots and potential mould growth. The multi-pane construction also provides an excellent barrier against outside drafts (unwanted air leaks), creating a more comfortable indoor climate.
An office building is a major investment for many business owners. Installing high-performance triple glazing helps maximise this investment by enhancing property value. Triple glazing is an attractive feature for prospective buyers, as it signifies lower operating costs, enhanced comfort, and a well-insulated, energy-efficient space. As a result, office buildings with triple glazing will often command higher resale values.
When making triple-glazed windows vs. double-glazed comparisons, cost is one factor that may deter businesses from opting for the former. However, the long-term benefits of energy efficiency, comfort, noise reduction, and increased property value make triple-glazed windows a smart choice for businesses looking to upgrade or replace their glazing. For most companies, the additional investment in triple over double glazing pays off through energy and cost savings, as well as an improved work environment.
Understandably, you may be curious about just how much more money is involved when opting for one form of window over the other — the next section entails a more in-depth comparison of double glazing vs triple in terms of costs.
While there’s quite a big difference of 10–20% in the cost of triple glazing compared to double glazing, it could lead to long-term savings. Important factors to consider are efficiency and affordability for energy conservation in contemporary structures. Let’s delve into more details below:
On average, a triple-glazed window can cost 10–20% more than double-glazing options, depending on the type of glass and window frames that you choose. The additional pane of glass and improved frame required for triple glazing imply higher material and labour costs for installation.
For a medium-sized commercial building, the difference could be tens of thousands of pounds. However, experienced glazing replacement experts can provide recommendations that may help save cost overall — contact the GLRE team for an evaluation today.
High-performance triple-glazing units also tend to last long. On average, a triple-glazing window will last for about 20 years. So, while there’s a higher upfront cost, it may mean fewer replacements and lower maintenance costs over the lifetime of the new triple-glazed windows.
Other benefits of triple glazing, like improved sound insulation, enhanced security, and a more comfortable indoor environment, can also translate to financial gains for businesses. For example, lower noise levels lead to fewer distractions, higher productivity, and less absenteeism. And improved natural lighting can increase retail sales, workplace satisfaction, and learning outcomes.
In summary, although triple glazing costs more initially, it can pay for itself over time through energy savings, lower bills, increased productivity, and a longer lifespan. For any company looking to upgrade their glazing, triple glazing may prove the smarter choice in the long run.
Note: The actual payback period will depend on factors like current energy rates in your area and how much you currently spend on heating and cooling. This begs the question — will triple glazing really save you money on energy bills? Let’s find out below.
Compared to double glazing, triple glazing can considerably lower your energy expenses. Evidence suggests that transitioning from double to triple glazing can lower energy bills and slash annual heating costs by up to 50%. How is this possible, though? Let’s see how below.
The additional pane of glass provides better insulation by reducing heat transfer through the windows. The trapped air pockets act as an insulator, keeping warm air in during winter and cool air in during summer. This means your heating and cooling systems don’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Because triple glazing reduces heat loss and condensation, it can lower maintenance requirements. Less extreme temperature differences mean fewer issues with seals or spacers breaking down over time. And with less condensation, there are fewer problems with water damage, mould growth, or window sill rot. Typically, you only need to clean triple glazing twice a year.
Upgrading from double to triple glazing is an easy way for companies to save money, improve work environments, and operate more sustainably. The additional third pane of glass delivers better insulation, fewer draughts, enhanced soundproofing, superior efficiency, and lower maintenance — all of which contribute to a more productive and energy-efficient building.
But there’s also the issue of noise when deciding between triple-glazing or double-glazing windows. While we’ve earlier hinted that triple-glazing windows are good insulators, does it provide extra benefit compared to double-glazing? Let’s find out below!
Although triple glazing can serve as an additional barrier to noise compared to standard double glazing, it’s not specifically designed for noise reduction. Therefore, in some instances, triple glazing may not significantly diminish noise levels when compared to double glazing, as studies suggest. This is a crucial factor for businesses in high-traffic, noisy areas or near loud machinery.
The level of noise reduction depends on several factors, including:
Triple glazing built for noise reduction offers clear advantages in high-noise environments for maximum acoustic comfort. The improved soundproofing can transform a space, enhancing productivity and the overall work environment. For companies where noise is an ongoing issue, purpose-built triple glazing may well be worth the investment.
One last factor to examine in our triple-glazing vs. double-glazing comparison is durability. Does triple-glazing last longer than double-glazing? Keep reading to discover!
In terms of longevity, triple-glazed units usually have a similar lifespan of about 20 to 35 years as double glazed units. However, integrating a layer of laminated glass into a glazed unit significantly elevates its security level. This enhancement, courtesy of the PVB (polyvinyl butyral) layer, makes it tougher to breach.
The presence of an extra pane of glass in triple glazing, as compared to single-paned windows or standard double glazing, adds a hurdle for any potential intruder, making it even more challenging to break through, and here is why.
Triple glazing uses three panes of glass instead of two panes, so the glass is thicker and more impact-resistant. The additional glass layer provides extra strength and protection. Accidental impacts from things like balls, tree branches, or even hailstones are less likely to crack or break the triple-glazed glass.
The seal between the glass panes is also more durable in triple glazing. It has to withstand the weight and pressure of three panes of glass instead of just two panes, so more advanced, high-performance sealants are used. These create an almost airtight barrier between window glass that prevents the infiltration of moisture for longer.
Overall, while manufacturers often give the same warranty of 20 to 35 years to both double and triple-glazing units, the build of the former is more resistant to force and should be expected to be more durable. For businesses, the improved durability of triple glazing makes it worth the initial investment — they will ensure your building stays comfortable for decades to come with fewer maintenance issues. Contact our expert glazing team today to discuss your project needs.
Triple glazing is generally more energy-efficient than double glazing, aiding in reducing energy bills. Additionally, it provides superior noise reduction, making it an excellent choice for office buildings in louder areas. However, consider the cost-effectiveness based on your specific needs and building location.
Triple glazing, while efficient, has a few drawbacks. For one, they’re about 10–20% more expensive than double glazing due to the additional window pane. Secondly, its effectiveness may be less noticeable in milder climates areas. The extra pane can also result in increased weight, which may require structural adjustments to existing windows prior to installation.
Triple-glazed windows typically have a lifespan of around 20 to 35 years. While the windows may physically last longer, their energy efficiency declines over time as the insulating gas leaks from the panels, affecting their overall performance.
Yes, triple-glazed windows can still experience condensation on the outside due to their high thermal efficiency. Highly efficient windows generally have a higher tendency to exhibit external condensation. This is a natural occurrence and a sign that your windows are effectively preventing heat escape. However, these condensations are less common in triple glazing than in double glazing.
In our triple glazing v. double glazing comparison, triple glazing clearly comes out on top for most businesses looking to improve insulation, reduce energy costs, and create a quieter work environment. Businesses should choose between double or triple glazing depending on their budget and energy-saving needs. At GLRE, we offer logical and cost-effective glazing solutions — contact us today for an assessment of your building’s glazing!
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