Double-Pane vs Triple-Pane | Which One Should I Use?

Don't get fooled by a salesperson trying to talk you into getting triple-pane windows without knowing the truth. Just because there is more glass doesn't mean it will be better for your specific needs. Jeff breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of both double and triple-pane glass so you can make the best decision for your home.
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[MrRicklynch]

I lived in a condo in a busy downtown area with lots of busses and street cars going by outside as well as a rooftop lounge across the street at a hotel with amplified music. There would often be parades and other events outside. The developer installed triple pane windows and yes, it is true the frames were big, and the tint was a little dark. I will say one thing. I could not hear a thing that came from outside. I had friends over and there was a parade outside and my friend said- "I forgot about the parade; it is so quiet in here". I also never turned on my heater in my 5 years of living there and I had no AC, but didn't need it.

[Schris]

Was about to pull the trigger on some Octa Pane windows, glad I watched this video before signing. Thanks Jeff! Informative and well conveyed content as always.

[gregcorwin]

Great video Jeff! For obvious reasons I really enjoy your glass-related videos the best.

Since I do live in a place that can potentially see -20F and lower many times during a normal winter, I do have triple pane windows and I highly recommend them for anyone living in climate zone 6 or higher (some energy performance experts recommend triples in zone 5 as well...), but absolutely agree that in a cooling dominated climate, like Houston, or even a more moderate climate, dual pane with the appropriate coating is usually a much better choice for all the reasons mentioned.

[perrysutton]

When I lived in Ky, we had triple pane windows with low e coating and filled with krypton gas. I recall R 10 or 11 and heating bills reduced by approx 40% .

[andrealaphilippe]

You probably mentioned it in the video but if not, a true 3 pane sealed unit would perform not just slightly better like in your test but in a lot of instances twice as efficient as double pane glass. Its worth the upgrade for the sound deadening alone.

[perry]

Thanks Jeff. As always really informative! You and your daughter helped us decide to purchase NT windows back in Dec for our 1959 home. A great overall experience with the installer, Maverick Windows. Very pleased with the overall value/performance. A few of those windows are as large as an entry door!

[jacqueline]

Great video, thanks for explaining the difference and benefits of double vs triple pane.

[_davidsuciu]

I want to buy my first windows ever for a new built house, glass space is important to me, sound not really cause its on a pretty quiet street, so I assume double pane is the way to go, the climate here its nothing crazy, you need heating only from november to march.. and i dont think the bill savings from 4-5 months a year would worth giving up glass space and paying more for them too
What you guys think ?

[joycehahn]

Thank you !!!! I appreciate the information and your help !!!

[rs-zqbb]

Thank you for your info and demonstration.

Can you fit tripple pane glass into a double frame window. Any pros or cons

[sa]

Having had freshman statistics in college, I would assume triple pane windows would experience seal failures somewhat sooner on average than double pane windows. Though if the window is put together well, it might not be an issue for either before you replace the window for other reasons.

[chambliziOfficialChannel]

I live in washington we lack sun we need that light

[DustinCFletcher]

Would you recommend a double pane with low E coatings over a triple pane without coatings in a cold climate? Is the coating were the moneys at in terms of solar heat gain in terms of energy efficiency?

[TripleZme]

Hey Jeff. Love your videos and advice. Have a question for you. I live in Ontario Canada (just north of Toronto). I have large suburban corner property with 33 windows. the back of my house faces East, many of the living area and windows face South and the front faces West. I do have a few windows that face North and because of the house next to me, that side does not get a lot of sun. What would you suggest in terms of Low E and Glazing for my house and the different directions my house faces. Thanks.

[stradovinski]

Would those double pane results be similar to what to expect from non-insulated impact glass (with just low e)?

[DunDundooo]

Wouldnt triple pane help in maintaining the inside temperatures better than double pane?

[rockyboy]

Wonderful video Jeff. I love your well articulated delivery and I liked the video. So, what exactly is the final verdict on triple pane window in a cold country? Does it prevent heat from escaping and/or does it keep the house even remotely as warm as a brick wall? Or it is just a tripe pain :-)

[EdHudzinski]

Where can I get one of those spectrometers? Do you have a link?

[shubinternet]

But what happens when that single pane of glass is treated with the same types of coatings as the double pane? What about thermal bridging one double pane versus triple pane glass?

[JosephHuether]

Great video…but I have the following comments for anyone interested.
1) The “triple pane” third pane has no air space…or in the case of really high performance triple panes…no vacuum.
2) If you are a true “green” wonk, you might take into consideration that once you add a coating like low-e to your insulating glass unit (IGU), the glass cannot be recycled. In 35 years, when the service life of your IGU ends, that glass will end up in a landfill.
In other words, with the common everyday IGU, we take a material (single pane of glass) that can literally last for thousands of years and turn it into a product that will be landfill in less than a hundred.
Interestingly…in the 1920’s, arguably a “golden age” of American residential construction…a typical middle-class home in the northeast would have single pane double hung windows WITH a high quality wood framed storm window. In the pre-air conditioner 20’s, you would swap out the storms for screens (to catch breezes) and put up awnings to reduce solar heat gain….AND…the windows could last as long as the wood framing.