Choosing the Right Triple Pane Windows for You | Dallas, TX
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Today’s homeowners are concerned about more than just their homes’ looks. They want homes that are not just good looking, but also energy efficient. Energy efficient windows are an important part of lowering your heating and cooling bills, because heat transfer through the windows causes more than 25% of residential heating and cooling costs. In very hot climates, such as Dallas, TX, the windows can account for 40% of these costs. If you are buying, building, or refurbishing a home, then you need to know what to look for in an energy efficient window, and learn how to choose the right window for you.
Frames
There are several different kinds of window frames. Each of them has its own distinct set of advantages and disadvantages, but some are much better than others.
Wood
If energy efficiency is your primary concern, wood is the traditional way to go. It is more insulative than almost any other frame material. However, they require more maintenance than most other frame materials, and they tend to rot over time.
Vinyl
Vinyl frames still have excellent insulative value, and they last much longer than wood frames. They are also cheaper, and require less maintenance. However, they come in limited color choices and not everybody is a fan of the vinyl look.
Aluminum
Aluminum frames do not insulate well, but they are usually the best choice in hurricane-prone coastal areas, because of their greater strength. Everywhere else, though, they should be avoided.
Wood-clad
Wood-clad frames have wood on the inside and aluminum or vinyl on the outside. This can be a good compromise frame, with good insulative value and low maintenance. Their drawbacks are a higher price and a shorter lifespan, however.
Engineered, Insulated Core
The best frame is the engineered, insulated core frame, which uses multiple layers of different materials for a combination of great insulation and superior durability. Nothing insulates better than something specially engineered for the purpose.
Low-E Window Panes
It’s not just what’s around the panes that matters. Pane construction is equally important. You can do much better than ordinary glass by using low-e window panes. These specialty panes are made by coating glass with a microscopically thin layer of metal oxides. This coating is invisible to the eye, so it still looks like ordinary glass. However, it reduces the amount of UV rays and infrared light the window lets into the house, which makes it a better thermal insulator. Low-e window panes can greatly improve the insulative value of the window. Additionally, it is the UV rays in sunlight that causes curtains, carpets, and furniture to fade. Low-e window panes therefore help keep your curtains, carpets, and furniture looking better for longer, especially when used in triple pane windows.
Installation
Installation also has a lot to do with a window’s insulative abilities. If it is not properly installed, air and heat will leak in through tiny gaps around the window, completely countering any of the insulative benefits of the window. Every type of window has different installation needs that also vary according to the type of wall it is being installed in. Have your windows installed only by trained professionals who can make sure that they’re installed right.
Multiple Panes and Gaps
Glass is not a terrible insulator, but a single pane of glass on its own doesn’t do much to prevent heat from flowing in or out of your house. Two window panes with a bit of a gap between them is much better at keeping heat from flowing through the window, because trapped air is an excellent insulator. However, argon is an even better insulator. Filling the gap between the panes with safe, non-toxic argon gas makes it much more effective at keeping heat outside in the summer and inside in the winter.
Of course, a triple window pane design with two argon-filled gaps provides a truly superior level of heat insulation. This makes triple pane windows perfect for both extremely cold climates and extremely hot climates. In cold climates, they keep the heat inside the house, where it belongs. In hot climates, like Dallas, TX, triple pane windows keep out more heat out of your house, which will dramatically lowering your cooling bills.
Other Advantages of Triple Pane Windows
Triple pane windows are not just excellent protectors against heat and cold, they also have other advantages. One of them is superior sound control. Not only does trapped air or argon insulate well against heat, it also insulates well against sound. Triple pane windows will keep out a lot more of the noise from traffic, lawnmowers, and your neighbors, helping you get a better night’s sleep and more enjoyment from your home. If you have a sound problem because you live next to a busy road, or have regular lawn maintenance crews working early hours, or even just because you have noisy neighbors, then triple pane windows are the best option for you.
Another advantage of triple pane windows is that they are much more resistant to condensation. During rainy, wet periods, condensation can be a real problem, causing mold and mildew problems and water damage. Triple pane windows significantly reduce condensation because no single surface is exposed to both inside and outside temperatures at the same time.
The Takeaway
The right window can save you bundle on temperature control costs. It can make your home quieter and more peaceful. It can reduce mold and mildew problems, and keep your furniture, drapes, and carpets looking better. If you live in the Dallas, TX area and want to learn more about triple pane windows or other window designs, contact Energy Window Solutions today.