By Gates Dearen
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| Courtesy of Homeritejacksonville.com |
When it comes to shopping for replacement windows, one of the
first things that hits most consumers is the fact that windows can have one,
two or even three panes. The problem is,
most folks don’t know what this means in terms
of utility. Therefore, I thought
I’d take the time to explain, without pain, the ins and outs of panes.
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| Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons |
Practically the only place you’ll see single-paned windows
are in homes built before 1950, which was when “thermopane” windows were introduced to the US. That’s because after reasonably priced
double-pane windows came on the market, these museum pieces were, for the most part, relegated to the scrap
heap of time. Historically, glass
windows have been around since Roman times, although they weren’t very
transparent since they were made of beaded glass.
It wasn’t until the 3rd century, after the fall of Rome, that clear pane windows
were first invented. These were
created by blowing a cylindrical glass bubble and then slicing it lengthwise
before flattening it out. Since the
technique was not exactly mass-produced,
only the wealthy could afford glass windows back then. It took until the 16th century for
the process to begin to trickle down to the masses.
If you’ve ever seen a still life from this period, you will
note lattice windows encased in lead.
That’s because the wood-framed, square-paned sash wasn’t invented until the following
century. It also meant that for the most
part, the wealthier you were, the more windows you could afford. While these wonders were terrific at letting
in the light, they were woefully bad at keeping out the cold. Of course, it was still better than the rest
of the folks who were forced to use shutters to keep out the elements.
It took the industrial revolution to revolutionize the way
window panes were produced. By the early 20th century,
continuous mass production techniques led to the development of not only
higher-quality glass panes, but larger
ones as well.
What Kind
of Windows Do You Need?
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| Courtesy of Homeritejacksonville.com |
By the latter half of the last century, modern sealed,
double-glazed glass was introduced. The pocket of air trapped between the panes
acts as natural insulation. This dramatically slows the exchange of heat
between the indoors and the outdoors. Not only did this design substantially
reduce the average heating bill by defeating the drafty, single-pane models,
but their energy and solar efficiency improved dramatically with the addition
of inert gas and special coatings.
Today’s modern double-pane windows are up to 45% more efficient
in the summer and 56% more efficient in the winter than single-pane
windows. This
means that they will help reduce your utility bill, will all but eliminate
drafts and will provide you with a quieter environment. If you ever walk into an older home that
still sports single-pane windows, listen to how much more street noise there is
to contend with.
Opting for double-pane windows with Low-E coatings designed
to repel the UV rays will also protect your furnishings from fading. In Florida,
most new houses and home upgrades are equipped with double pane windows. This
is because they are considered to produce the most benefit for the buck. Florida
winters can produce temperatures swing of as much as 40 degrees in a single day. Double pane windows can save a lot of energy
during these swings.
Is Triple
Worth the Trouble?
If you are looking for the ultimate in efficiency and
protection, are triple-pane windows the way to go? While they are way more efficient than those drafty old single-pane models, they
are only (a maximum) 20% more efficient than double-pane windows. With 3-panes and two pockets of air, these windows reduce heat transfer more than
their 2-paned cousins, but at a price. This
means they are much more expensive, as well as being much heavier than
double-pane windows. While the weight
issue can be somewhat reduced by using
fiberglass for the frames, the trouble with triple-panes is not insignificant. Here are some facts about triple pane windows
additional weight and cost that need to be
considered.
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| Courtesy of Homeritejacksonville.com |
Triple-pane windows cost 25-30% more than double-pane yet they
only save, up to a maximum of 20% on energy. Excess condensation can form on
the outside of the triple-pane windows on cold mornings. The extra hardware and
weight of the additional panes can reduce outside noise and it makes it a
little hard for criminals to brake in, but this added weight also put added
stress on hinges associated with casement windows.
Because of the added cost and the drawback listed above, we
don’t see much demand for triple pane windows in Florida. In fact, 98% of all
windows sold in Florida are double pane windows. I hope this article helps making the decision as to how many panes your windows
should have. Whichever model you choose,
you can breathe easy knowing that efficient, attractive windows are no longer
exclusively for the wealthy. Once
installed, they will add to the curb appeal of your home, they will deter crime,
and they will start paying for themselves
every time you receive your monthly utility bill. Because when it comes to upping the ante on
your home improvement investment, very few other investments beat the return you
get with new double pane windows. In fact, new double pane windows will allow
you to reap saving over their entire
Replacement windows are an investment. They will
pay for themselves over time. They will significantly reduce your utility
bills. They will improve the look, resale value, and security of your
home. If you’ve been sitting on the fence about replacing your home’s
windows, make an appointment with your friendly, neighborhood window consultant
today.
Please contact me at HomeRite Windows and Doors in
Jacksonville.
HomeRite is a window and door dealer that specializes in
energy efficient, quality products with warranties and service to match. The
company has been in business since 2005. HomeRite is partnered with a
manufacturer that has been producing high-quality products and providing
excellent customer service for over 60 years. Windows and doors
from HomeRite are some of the highest quality, most thermally efficient windows
and doors on the market.
HomeRite products add substantial value to their clients’
properties. HomeRite is a member of the United States Green Building Council, a
non-profit organization comprised of leaders across the industry working to
advance environmentally responsible buildings.
Gates Dearen is the co-owner of HomeRite Windows and Doors in Jacksonville, Florida. He and Richard Walden
have been serving the building products industry
in Florida for over 25 years. They strive to match
homeowners with the right windows and doors for their homes
and budgets. They make the home improvement process pleasant with
first-rate, energy-efficient products, affordable pricing, and
award-winning installers who employ the best practices and who
always treat customers and their property with the utmost respect.
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