Homeowners: Triple Pane Windows Aren't Worth It

Triple pane windows are marketed to homeowners as highly energy efficient window solutions. That comes with a high price tag — the average double hung window with triple pane glass costs between $650-$1,150 to buy and install for most Americans.

Do the benefits or triple pane windows really justify the price tag? On labor alone, installers charge 15-35% more to install triple pane windows, and the annual energy savings in most locations are nominal at best.

For most homeowners it will take 20-25 years to recoup the triple-pane premium in saved energy.

Here's why triple pane windows simply aren't worth the investment for most American homeowners:

• Triple pane windows are perceived as more energy efficient than double pane windows. While this is true, the gap isn’t as significant as many believe.
• It costs 40-60% more to purchase and install triple pane windows than double pane windows. 15-35% of this increase is in labor costs, due to added weight.
• Triple pane windows have a payback period of 19-25 years. This is roughly double the time it takes to see ROI on double pane windows.
• Triple pane windows offer 2-3% better annual energy savings than double pane windows. This is good, but not good enough to justify the added spend.

What are Triple Pane Windows?

A triple pane window is made up of three layers of glass separated by two gas-filled spaces. These spaces are usually filled with argon to improve energy efficiency.

Triple pane windows are comprised of 5 core components:

1. Triple pane glass: The triple panes provide structural support and a barrier against the elements.
2. Gas-filled spaces: The spaces between the glass panes are typically filled with a noble gas like argon or krypton. These gasses are denser than air and improve insulation by reducing thermal transfer.
3. Spacer: A spacer is used to maintain the distance between the glass panes. It also contains a desiccant to absorb moisture, preventing condensation and fogging.   
4. Sealants: High-performance sealants are used to create a tight and airtight seal around the edges of the window to prevent air leakage. Exterior sealants include polyurethane and silicone. Acrylic latex is often used for indoor sealing.
5. Frame: The window frame provides structural support and holds the glass panes in place. It can be made of materials like wood, vinyl, aluminum, or fiberglass.   

Perceived Pros and Cons of Triple Pane Windows

Now we know the components of a triple pane window. So, what makes them so coveted by certain groups of homeowners?

Triple pane windows are marketed to appeal to energy conscious consumers who don’t mind a higher price point. But are the perceived benefits (and drawbacks) truly accurate?

Let’s take a look at the 4 perceived pros and cons of triple pane windows:

Pros

• Superior energy efficiency: Triple pane windows offer enhanced insulation, leading to lower heating and cooling costs.
• Enhanced noise reduction: An extra pane can reduce outside noise, creating a quieter indoor environment.
• Improved comfort: Consistent indoor temperatures and reduced drafts contribute to greater comfort.
• Potential increase in home value?: Energy efficiency and reduced heat loss increase home resale values in colder climates.

Cons

• Higher upfront cost: Triple pane windows are more expensive than double pane windows — the average difference in cost is 40-60%.
• Small loss of natural light: The extra pane minimally reduces the amount of natural light entering your home.
• Heavier weight: Triple pane window installation becomes more complex due to the added weight of triple pane window construction.
• Longer payback period: The average time it takes to recoup your investment through energy savings is significantly longer than double pane windows.

Why Do People Buy Triple Pane Windows?

Homeowners who purchase triple pane windows do so for 3 primary reasons:

1. Cold Climates: Most triple pane window purchases are made in colder American climates like New England, the Great Lakes region, and states on the Canadian border. 
2. Energy Efficiency: Homeowners expect to see lower energy bills, stabilized indoor temperatures, and a reduced reliance on home HVAC for heating and cooling.
3. Return on Investment: Triple pane window buyers expect a return on their investment based on long-term home energy savings.

Triple pane windows are positioned as an “upgrade pick” over double pane windows for these 3 reasons. But do they actually offer significant improvements?

Are Triple Pane Windows Better Than Double Pane Windows?

We used 3 data sets as our primary criteria to determine whether triple pane windows are superior to double pane windows for most homeowners:

1. Price
2. Energy Efficiency
3. Payback Period (ROI)

A brief overview of industry data implies that triple pane windows are more expensive than double pane windows, but offer enhanced energy savings.

The question: are those energy savings enough to warrant the increased cost? And how do the payback periods of triple pane and double pane windows compare?

Triple Pane Windows Cost 40-60% More Than Double Pane Windows

It costs 40-60% more to purchase and install triple pane windows than double pane windows. 15-25% of that cost increase is on the window itself, while the remaining 15-35% stems from increased labor costs.

The average triple pane window costs between $650-$1,150 to purchase and install. General contractors we spoke to reported installation upcharges due to the increased weight of triple pane windows.

The average double pane window costs between $450-$725 to purchase and install for most homeowners. 

We focused these cost averages on double-hung windows to create a standard, realistic price range that applies to most homeowner purchases.

Table: Average Triple Pane & Double Pane Window Prices

The following table lists the average cost to purchase and install double pane and triple pane windows in 5 common styles:

• Awning windows
• Casement windows
• Double hung windows
• Picture windows
• Single hung windows

Triple Pane vs. Double Pane Windows: Energy Efficiency

A window’s ability to prevent heat from escaping your home is measured in U-factor (or U-value). 

U-factor represents the rate of heat transfer through a material — in this case, your windows. The higher your U-factor, the poorer the insulation. The lower, the better.

For reference, these are the U-factors to aim for in particular climates:

The average U-factor for triple pane windows is 0.20. While this is excellent for cold climate homes, it’s unnecessary for more than 75% of the United States.

The average U-factor for a double pane window is 0.43 — sufficient for most American homes with proper insulation. 

It’s Easy to Improve U-Factor of Double Pane Windows

It’s also quite simple to improve the U-factor of your double pane windows to that ideal 0.25-0.30 U-factor standard for cold climates. 

This U-value can be decreased (improved) in 4 ways:

1. Coatings & fills: Coat your panes with low-E coating, and/or inject argon or krypton into the space between panes.
2. Spacing between panes: Create smaller gaps between your panes to increase efficiency.
3. The quality of the window frame: A well-constructed, properly sealed window frame improves its overall R-ractor.
4. High-performance windows: Newer, high-performance double pane windows regularly achieve U-values of 0.30 or lower.

Triple Pane Windows Have a Terrible Payback Period

The major selling point of triple pane windows is reduced energy costs due to higher U-factor.

However, we’ve established that well-engineered double pane windows offer more than sufficient U-factor for most homes. As a result, there isn’t a huge difference on your monthly energy bills when switching to triple pane windows.

The average homeowner sees a 2-3% annual savings in home heating bills by switching to triple pane windows. That sounds great — but remember, you’re paying 40-60% more upfront for labor and materials.

The average payback period for triple pane windows is typically between 18-25 years.  By contrast, the payback period for new double pane windows is currently 10-12 years.

Note on Utility Rates: Higher energy prices will shorten the payback period on triple pane windows because the utility bill savings compound. Higher prices can shave 1-3 years off your payback period.

Conclusion

Triple pane windows cost 40-60% more upfront than double pane windows to purchase and install. Consider the payback period for triple pane windows is about twice as long, and they become an unappealing purchase for most American homeowners.

It’s still worth considering triple pane windows if you live in significantly colder climates, or if you deal with intolerable amounts of outside noise. Otherwise, double pane windows are more than sufficient for your home.

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