As UK households face the prospect of escalating energy costs, this article examines whether triple glazing is a viable way to make a house warmer and reduce heating bills; it investigates the concept, assesses the pros and cons and looks at energy performance before reaching a conclusion.

Dive in to find out all the facts about triple glazing!

Triple glazed window units comprise a sealed frame containing three panes of glass which create two airlocks; the glazed cavities are filled with an insulator such as argon gas or krypton gas. Compared to double glazed windows, triple glazing has a lower `u’ value (the measurement used to compare the thermal performance of windows); lower `u’ rates mean better insulation. Thermal efficiency can be improved by variables such as the type of air or gas used, installing warm-edge spacer bars around the frame perimeter and using different coatings on glass or low emissivity glass to reduce energy loss from the inside.

The actual frame is an important consideration regarding efficiency as well as the panes of glass; airtight insulated frames work best. Although upvc is commonly used in triple glazing frames, it is a poor insulator; timber-framed and aluminium units give the best results, but they are more costly.

To date, uptake of triple glazing is small in the UK, however, it is widespread in cold climate countries such as Scandinavia where it is standard in most houses. It is important to be aware that double or triple glazing only works well in a house which is properly insulated in terms of its walls, door, roof and floor; the standard of glazing must match the level of insulation for warmth consistency around a house.

The `u’ value is a measure of how easily heat passes through a material. Single glazed windows have a `u’ value of 5; older double glazed units have a value of around 3; modern double glazing comes out at around 1.6 due to improvements such as optimisation of the window cavity, use of low emissivity coatings, inert gas filling the gap between panes and the use of aluminium spacers in frames. 

Triple glazing has a `u’ value of around 0.8, however, on a pure efficiency basis, neither double nor triple glazing will pay for itself. The Energy Saving Trust advises looking for the British Fenestration Rating Council rating when seeking the most energy efficient windows; the rating scheme ranges from A++ to E. The entire window, including frame and glass, is assessed to examine heat loss, draughts and solar gain. The `u’ value will also be displayed on the energy label. In terms of compliance, Building Regulations state that any windows installed must have a `u’ value of no less than 1.6.

Triple glazing may be considered `better’ in the same way that under-floor heating is viewed as superior to conventional heating, and it is the most energy efficient choice; however, it may not be the most cost-efficient solution in terms of the payback period in proportion to savings on energy bills.

A more cost-effective route may be replacing old windows with double glazed units and improved insulation. If the existing double glazing in a property is working, especially if the windows are wood-framed and in good condition, it may be sensible to retain this rather than replacing it with triple glazing. Fitting very thick curtains is also an effective insulating method.

The main reasons for installing triple glazing would be to reduce noise or to eliminate cold spots in a house; it may also be worthy of consideration by anyone building a new property, otherwise double glazing will probably be the better option. If triple glazing is chosen, it is important to ensure that high quality frames are selected and remember that the overall insulation of a house is key to the effectiveness of both double and triple glazing.

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