Double v's Triple glazing

rubble2

Our house is about 20 years old so should be reasonably well insulated.
We currently have upvc double glazing which we are considering replacing, as part of our research I wondered what advantage ( in terms of improved insulation) we would see by specifying triple rather than double glazed units and also could someone give an indication of the price premium we would be looking at for triple glazing over double?

Thanks

mandy47

We had triple glazing installed a couple of years ago. We were quite surprised that there wasn't a huge difference in price compared to double. Around 10% more expensive. 
It's definitely quieter now. Hardly notice traffic noises. Less condensation and less draughty. It's been a huge improvement for us. But our old double glazing was ancient and had been poorly fitted so we were bound to find a big difference.  

alleycat`

Based on not all double (or triple) glazing is equal it's not an easy yes or no answer.

I would suspect properly installed, quality, double glazing now is a lot better than double glazed windows (and frames) from 20 years ago. Badly installed glazing of any ilk isn't worth much to anyone.

When i last looked at it (albeit in 2012) it made more sense to invest in quality double glazing and better quality curtains than it did in triple glazing (and the associated weight issues it caused).

The main other issue i recall is the view through triple glazed units at the time were quite obviously "distorted" (I'm not sure if that issue is resolved or i just had the pleasure of looking at some duffers).

I am led to believe the "premium" price has come way down due to the demand of triple over double (meaning it's not much different for them to produce as volume has increased). This appears to be supported by mandy47.

if it's installed properly, the premium is no more than 10%  and it doesn't appear you're looking through a jam jar it'd probably make it worthwhile.

Otherwise quality double and better curtains/blinds might make more sense?

EssexExile

We have triple glazing and it definitely reduces sound transmission. It's not easy to say if it reduces heating bills, every year is different so it's hard to compare. Ours was done as part of a bigger project and the extra cost over double glazing was minimal.

Looking through it you wouldn't notice the difference from double glazing and the extra weight doesn't seem to be a problem, we have bi-folds and they're fine.

Mutton_Geoff

For heat, glass is a conductor, gas (air, nitrogen, argon or whatever they fill windows with) is an insulator so this supports the experiences above that triple glazing helps with noise but does little for insulation.

davemorton

Sorry to take the thread off tangent a little, but it is related.  Can you just replace a double glazed glass unit with a tripple glazed glass unit please? (i.e. leaving the original UPVC frame in, just replacing the glass?)

EssexExile

davemorton said:

Sorry to take the thread off tangent a little, but it is related.  Can you just replace a double glazed glass unit with a tripple glazed glass unit please? (i.e. leaving the original UPVC frame in, just replacing the glass?)

Triple glazed units are thicker obviously, ours fit in the same frame as double glazed but with different beads.

Martin_the_Unjust

I always thought double was better for heat insulation whereas triple was better for sound insulation.

markin

In past road noise threads it was often said that triple made things worse unless it was made for noise, maybe they all are designed now to reduce noise?

ytfcmad

Martin_the_Unjust said:

I always thought double was better for heat insulation whereas triple was better for sound insulation.

Triple is better for both. 

BUFF

ytfcmad said:

Martin_the_Unjust said:

I always thought double was better for heat insulation whereas triple was better for sound insulation.

Triple is better for both. 

at least as far as heat it depends what the exact specs. of both are - it is possible for double glazing to outperform/be the same as/worse than triple. https://www.regencyglass.co.uk/faq-2/triple-glazing-v-double-glazing/