Across Australia, the changing climate and rising temperatures are making it more difficult to create a comfortable indoor environment. In the past, the solution might have been to turn the air con on more. Now, with energy prices rising constantly, cranking up the air con is no longer an affordable or viable option.
It’s time to look for better options if you want to enjoy being indoors, and you don’t want to have to pay expensive utility bills each month. One of the ways to keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter is through the use of double or triple-glazed windows.
Glazing creates a barrier that insulates your home, improves its energy efficiency, and reduces your monthly utility costs.
Understanding Double and Triple Glazing
Standard windows that are found in many homes in Australia have a single pane of glass. With double-glazed windows, there are two separate panes of glass. A spacer bar separates these individual panes, and the gap between the two is filled with air or a gas such as krypton or argon.
Triple-glazed windows have three separate glass panes, each separated by the same type of air gap. Glazing provides insulation because the gap between the panes serves as a barrier that can reduce heat transfer between the outside and the inside of your home. This helps regulate the indoor temperature and keep your home cooler in summer, and warmer in the winter.
Thermal Insulation Performance (U-Values and R-Values)
With windows, U-values and R-values are typically used to measure thermal insulation performance. These two values provide an indication of how well a window can resist the transfer of heat. U-value, or the measure of thermal transmittance, relates to the rate that heat passes through the different components of a window’s structure.
Traditionally, R-values have been associated with roof or wall insulation; they are a measure of thermal resistance. R-values are a reciprocal of the U-value, calculated as R = 1/U. When taken together, these values help guide your choice of energy-efficient windows.
Noise Reduction Capabilities
Another key benefit of double and triple-glazed windows is their ability to significantly reduce noise. If you are living in an urban area, along a busy road, or in a densely populated suburb, noise can be a constant distraction.
Single pane windows offer very little noise control. With double-glazed windows, the two panes along with the air gap disrupt the transmission of sound. If the two panes are different thicknesses, or asymmetric, the reduction of sound is further improved. Windows that are triple-glazed offer additional noise reduction, and are ideal for very noisy environments.
Cost Comparison and Return on Investment (ROI)
Standard single pane windows are the least expensive to install, but they’re energy inefficient and result in much higher energy costs over the long term. With double-glazed windows, you can expect to make a moderate investment up-front and see a ROI within five to seven years.
Triple-glazed windows can cost around thirty to fifty percent more than double-glazed options. That said, they typically provide a much greater ROI over time, and they are the best option in colder areas or regions with extreme heat.
Climate Suitability Across Australia
Double and triple-glazed windows provide big improvements in thermal insulation, and are therefore very beneficial in areas of Australia with climate extremes. In the cooler southern regions, where winters can be cold and long, these windows help save energy by reducing costly heat loss from the home.
In Australia’s extremely hot and arid regions, there are different challenges. Double or triple glazing serves to reduce heat gain in the home, keeping the indoor environment at a more comfortable temperature during summer. Double-glazed windows, when combined with added ventilation or shading, may be more cost-effective than triple-glazed options. It’s always a good idea to consult an expert before deciding.
Impact on Home Energy Ratings (NatHERS)
A home’s Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) score provides a measure of the thermal performance of a residential building in Australia. The calculation for this rating is based on how much energy must be consumed to keep the home at a comfortable temperature.
Double and triple glazing offers an important way to improve this score, and can help homes meet the 7-star standard that is often required for new builds across many of Australia’s jurisdictions. Although triple glazing is more expensive upfront, the significant energy savings and improved NatHERS rating may open up eligibility for government incentives and improve the property’s resale value.
Frame Materials and Installation Considerations
In Australia, aluminium windows frames are commonly used during construction. Although they are durable and lightweight, their thermal conductivity is high and thus can reduce the insulation performance of the window. Unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) provides a superior level of thermal insulation. Timber window frames offer good thermal performance, but may require more maintenance and upkeep.
When you evaluate double vs triple glazing, it’s important to consider the thickness and extra weight of the triple-glazed options. This type of window puts more of a demand on the structural integrity and materials of the frame. It’s critical that the frame is strong enough to maintain its air-tightness and integrity.
Solar Heat Gain and Natural Light Transmission
In regions of Australia with a significant fluctuation in temperature, double glazing often provides a solution that balances natural light transmission and solar heat gain. Double-glazed windows that are specially coated, such as low emissivity glass, help reflect heat back into the building during winter. Natural light transmission is around seventy to eighty percent, even with double glazing.
Triple glazing further enhances energy efficiency, but may reduce the level of visible light that will enter the building to sixty to seventy percent. Overall, choosing the right option may depend on the building orientation and specific regional climate.
Maintenance, Durability, and Lifespan
While both double and triple glazed windows provide excellent levels of acoustic and thermal insulation, proper maintenance is key if you want them to last and perform well over the years. Regular maintenance and inspections of seals and drainage holes are necessary.
The durability of the windows will depend on the quality of materials used and the precision of the manufacturing process. Triple-glazed windows may offer greater durability against thermal stress because of their additional layer. In Australia, double-glazed windows may have a lifespan of twenty to thirty years; for triple-glazed the lifespan could be forty years.
If you are looking to improve the energy efficiency and level of noise within your home, choosing double- and triple-glazed windows is the way to go. They can help significantly reduce your utility bills, and keep your home comfortable all year long.
Get in touch with us today if you’d like more information on the cost of upgrading the windows in your home.
