Double Glazing vs Triple Glazing: Which Should You Choose?
When it comes fitting new windows, you quite rightly don’t want to make any compromises. They are a hugely important aspect of any home, and help to maintain heat, restrict outside noise pollution, and can increase the security of your property.
The temptation for some homeowners is to opt for triple glazing, because triple is more than double – right?
However, did you know that 93% of the UK opts for double glazed windows? That’s an increase from 10% as recently as 1970.
There must be a reason why more than nine in ten people are opting for double glazing windows. We’ll dig into the reasons why with our double glazing vs triple glazing review.
Double Glazing vs Triple Glazing: The Differences Explained
No matter your reasons for wanting to replace your existing windows, you need to go into such a decision with all the relevant information at your disposal.
That’s where Maghull Double Glazing come into their own. We are here to offer you impartial advice on which option is best for you.
So, let’s get down to the nitty gritty of it all, shall we?
Energy Efficiency
Perhaps the most popular reason for people choosing to upgrade their existing windows is to improve the energy efficiency of their home.
The last thing you want to do is pay a premium for your heating bills because your windows aren’t keeping heat in your home.
With this in mind, please don’t even think about opting for single glazed windows. They just aren’t worth it.
Heat loss from the home is measured using what is known as a U-Value. Single glazing has an average U-Value of 5.6, whereas triple glazed is as low as 0.8 As you can tell, the lower this rating the better, and double glazing falls somewhere in the middle at an average of 2.8.
So, without doubt, triple glazing is the most energy efficient choice of window, but at a premium cost.
In reality, unless you are living in climates of -20 degrees, you won’t really reap the rewards of triple glazing over double glazing.
For the reduction in price that we will soon discuss, double glazing is more than adequate for your average UK home. This is why the vast majority of residents opt for it.
Noise Pollution
Live near an airport? Go with triple glazed windows. Don’t live near an airport? Double glazing is ideal for you. It really is that simple.
In reality, the size of the gap between windowpanes plays just as big of a role as the thickness of the glass. Fitted correctly, double glazed windows act as a perfect sound barrier for the vast majority of homes in the UK.
Similarly to the above points on energy efficiency, triple glazing may well be overdoing it for your needs. If you live on a busy road or near a lively area, double glazing will be more than adequate for your home.
Condensation
Over time, practically all windows suffer from condensation, particularly in the colder winter months.
There isn’t a window around that can completely eradicate excess moisture from occurring, although triple glazing does help to eliminate large areas of condensation. Double glazing, when fitted correctly, can also keep condensation to a minimum. Talk with the experts about the science behind it all, and you’ll soon realise that double glazing and triple glazing can both combat this issue with equal ease.
Security
When it comes to security, there is no doubting that triple glazed windows are the most efficient. After all, the more panes that a burglar has to break through, the more difficult they will find it.
However, the best way to deter unwanted guests from entering your home is to fit adequate locks.
Advantages of Double Glazed Windows
The main advantage of double glazing vs triple glazing is the cost. Given that there are less materials used, and fewer panes to fit, the overall price is much cheaper.
Double glazed windows can also reduce heat loss by up to 94%. That seems a fantastically high number to us, and reaching for anything more than that seems overkill in a country that rarely sees temperatures dip below the required amount to feel the difference between double and triple glazed windows.
On the flip side, in the summer months, double glazing windows harness more of the sun’s natural energy than triple glazing, keeping your property warmer for longer periods.
How Much Do Tripled Glazed Windows Cost?
On average, a triple glazed window costs between 30% and 50% more than a double glazed alternative.
The below table will help to explain how much more you would pay for a triple glazed window as opposed to a double glazed window.
| Double Glazed Window | Triple Glazed Window (Low End – 30%) | Triple Glazed Window (High End 50%) | Range of Increase |
| £300 | £390 | £450 | £90 – £150 |
| £500 | £650 | £750 | £150 – £250 |
| £750 | £975 | £1,025 | £225 – £275 |
| £1,000 | £1,300 | £1,500 | £300 – £500 |
Triple glazing comes with increased manufacturing costs, longer fitting periods resulting in higher labour rates, and its increase in weight adds to the delivery costs.
Given that double glazing ticks many of the boxes that triple glazing does, we would advise sticking with the option that 93% of the nation trust in – double glazing.
Triple Glazing: Is It Really Worth It?
Have we just answered that question in the last section? Possibly. However, while we would recommend that the vast majority of people in the UK are best opting for double glazed windows, there are instances when triple glazing is the better option.
If you live nearby to an airport runway, then the constant sound of planes taking off and landing warrants triple glazing to drown out as much sound as possible.
Ultimately, the decision is in your hands. Feel free to contact the Maghull Double Glazing team for our professional advice. Fitting new windows isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly, so we are more than happy to guide you through the process.