Choosing Triple Glazing
Triple glazing refers to a window unit that contains three panes of glass instead of one or two. Triple glazed windows are ideal for homes in colder climates or for anyone looking to boost energy performance and comfort. Wondering if new Triple Glazed Windows are right for your home? Here are some things to consider;
Triple Glazed Windows – Advantages
- Triple glazing should offer better Insulation (uValues), than double glazing.
- It gives an improved Acoustic Rating, where noise is an issue eg. busy roads, rail lines, airports etc.
- Each of the three panes of glass is separated by a spacer bar, creating an air gap or cavity.
- The sealed air cavities provide insulation and minimize interior condensation.
- We include argon gas between the panes, which insulates better than air, boosting thermal performance.
- Triple Glazing reduces energy usage, due to higher insulation, in a home
Triple Glazed Windows – Disadvantages
- Triple Glazed Windows are approx. 50% heavier than double glazed windows.
- The amount of Solar Gain (gValues), meaning less free heat from the sun enters your home compared to double glazing.
- They reduce the amount of light entering a room by approx. 10%.
- Triple glazing is generally more expensive than double glazing due to the additional glass pane and insulating materials.
Triple Glazing & Effective Insulation
The space (cavity) between each pane of glass determines how effective the insulation is.
The cavities should have the following depths:
- In a double glazing unit – a 24mm cavity
- Triple glazing units need two spacer bars, each with an 18mm cavity
- Standard glass is typically 4mm
- Then the ideal depth of a double glazed unit is 4 + 24 + 4 = 32mm
- And the ideal depth of a triple glazed unit is 4 + 18 + 3 + 18 + 4 = 47mm
What to Avoid!
Beware of companies that cut corners by avoiding the cost of developing a proper triple glazed window profile and instead simply uses their existing Double Glazed System and try to “shoehorn” a triple glazed unit into say a 24mm cavity.
This means each cavity is only 6mm, far too narrow to deliver the insulation performance that true triple glazing requires. The result is a sub-standard product that underperforms both thermally and acoustically.
In fact, a high performance double glazed window system will often outperform a poor quality triple glazed window system.
What to watch out for!
Beware of companies offering to “throw in” triple glazing at the same price as double glazing—this can be a red flag.
Poor-quality triple glazed units may provide little to no performance improvement. Worse, the added weight of the extra glass can cause long-term issues if the window isn’t properly engineered to support it.
It’s essential that the hinges and frames used in triple glazed windows and doors are designed to carry this extra weight throughout the product’s lifespan. If the window is poorly constructed or fitted into an unsuitable frame, it won’t deliver the efficiency you expect.
At Carlson, we supply only high-quality triple glazed windows, purpose-built for performance, durability, and long-term value.
Are Triple Glazed Windows better than Double Glazed?
This is a question we get asked a lot — and the answer is: it depends. Generally, triple glazed windows and doors are best suited to homes with comprehensive insulation throughout, including the walls, roof, and floors.
Otherwise, the benefits of triple glazing may be lost through other, less insulated parts of the home.
When deciding what’s right for your home, consider the following:
- The existing insulation in the roof and walls
- The orientation of your house
- Whether noise reduction is a priority
- Where and how much glazing you are looking to install
The Importance of good Construction and Installation
No matter how many panes of glass a window has, if it’s poorly constructed, badly installed, or allows air leakage, it simply won’t perform efficiently.
At Carlson, our windows and doors are manufactured to the highest standards, which is why we confidently offer a 10-year warranty across our entire product range.
Correct fitting and professional installation are absolutely essential — and we make them a top priority to ensure long-term performance, comfort, and energy savings.
AluClad Windows
Energy Saving Double and Triple Glazed Windows
The perfect low-maintenance choice. Featuring the warmth of solid timber on the inside and extra protection aluminium cladding on the outside, they're long-lasting and energy efficient.
Timber Windows
High performance solid timber windows
A natural product, wood brings warmth, character, style and value to any property.
Our Timber windows are factory coated with a micro-porous paint system to ensure long lasting, high performance for many years to come.
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