Home Triple glazing vs Double glazing

Side-by-side comparison of Triple glazing vs Double glazing

On this page, you will find a glazing comparison table that compares triple glazing vs double glazing.

We’ve also shared our views on why triple glazing may not always be the best option.

The “more or thicker/bigger” doesn’t correlate with the efficiency

Triple glazing is three panes of glass sealed together. It is one of the main features of Triple glazing, and by this feature, triple-glazing is distinguished from Double glazing.

If you look back to when insulated glazing first entered the market.

The key feature was its two panes of glass and the air gap in between – this made it far superior to single glazing.

The triple-glazing design came to the world through the logic that more panes of glass with an additional cavity would be even more efficient – and it truly is.

However, after years of development, one of the key features influencing glazing unit performance became the insulation substances inside the cavity, such as inert gases or vacuum.

A thicker cavity does not mean better insulation.

The cavity is the gap inside the glazing units formed by two or three glass panes. In this gap between glass panes, you can have air, gas or extract air and create a vacuum.

All three substances will contribute differently to energy performance.

For example, a vacuum does not transmit heat and offers better insulation at a 0.7mm cavity. Compare this to triple glazing with a 24mm cavity.

Is triple glazing in any way better than modern double glazing?

If you want to achieve a lower 0.7 U-value of FINEO glass or window soundproofing over 35 dB, triple glazing can help you with this. The extra layer of glass will contribute to better soundproofing of over 42 dB.

However, the 0.7 U-Value of vacuum glazing is almost as efficient as a well-insulated wall and sets the windows well above A-rated windows on the energy efficiency scale.

A sound reduction of 42 dB is only needed for windows on high streets, busy roads with excessive traffic and noise, or properties close to airports and train stations.

Triple glazing is not suitable for restoration projects

If you have period wooden windows with single glazing, triple glazing is not an option.

Unlike vacuum double glazing or slimline double glazing, triple glazing can not be fitted into period timber sash windows.

Learn more about Reglazing single-glazed windows here.

To compare window glazing options, please select the type of glazing you want to compare.

You can compare up to three glazing options simultaneously on desktop and up to two on mobile devices.

Alternatively, you can compare different glazing options by following the links below:

Old double glazing vs new.

Triple glazing vs Double glazing

Suitable for retrofitting

Warranty & Lifespan

Warranty

25+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

25+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

25+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

25+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

15+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

20+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

25+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

25+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

25+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

25+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

15+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

20+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

25+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

25+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

25+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

25+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

15+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

20+

Estimated Lifespan

Warranty

Energy efficiency

0.7

U-Value W/m2.k

5.8

U-Value W/m2.k

0.69

U-Value W/m2.k

1.1

U-Value W/m2.k

0.48

U-Value W/m2.k

1.9

U-Value W/m2.k

1.2

U-Value W/m2.k

2.6

U-Value W/m2.k

0.7

U-Value W/m2.k

5.8

U-Value W/m2.k

0.69

U-Value W/m2.k

1.1

U-Value W/m2.k

0.48

U-Value W/m2.k

1.9

U-Value W/m2.k

1.2

U-Value W/m2.k

2.6

U-Value W/m2.k

0.7

U-Value W/m2.k

5.8

U-Value W/m2.k

0.69

U-Value W/m2.k

1.1

U-Value W/m2.k

0.48

U-Value W/m2.k

1.9

U-Value W/m2.k

1.2

U-Value W/m2.k

2.6

U-Value W/m2.k

Vacuum port / Plugs

Getters

Yes, along unit edge

Yes, circle in corner

Yes, along unit edge

Yes, circle in corner

Yes, along unit edge

Yes, circle in corner

Microspacers

At 20mm centres

At 70mm centres

At 20mm centres

At 70mm centres

At 20mm centres

At 70mm centres

Thickness

7.7 mm

Thickness

3-5 mm

Thickness

6.2 mm

Thickness

8.3 mm

Thickness

12 mm

Thickness

24 mm

Thickness

7.7 mm

Thickness

3-5 mm

Thickness

6.2 mm

Thickness

8.3 mm

Thickness

12 mm

Thickness

24 mm

Thickness

7.7 mm

Thickness

3-5 mm

Thickness

6.2 mm

Thickness

8.3 mm

Thickness

12 mm

Thickness

24 mm

Thickness

Unit Make Up

4 – 0.7 – 3

4 -12 – 4 -12 – 4

3 – 0.2 – 3

4 – 0.3 – 4

4 – 4 – 4

4 -16 – 4

4 – 0.7 – 3

4 -12 – 4 -12 – 4

3 – 0.2 – 3

4 – 0.3 – 4

4 – 4 – 4

4 -16 – 4

4 – 0.7 – 3

4 -12 – 4 -12 – 4

3 – 0.2 – 3

4 – 0.3 – 4

4 – 4 – 4

4 -16 – 4

Cavity thickness

0.7 mm

24 mm

0.2 mm

0.3 mm

4 mm

16 mm

0.7 mm

24 mm

0.2 mm

0.3 mm

4 mm

16 mm

0.7 mm

24 mm

0.2 mm

0.3 mm

4 mm

16 mm

Insulation

Vacuuum

Argon gas

Vacuuum

Krypton gas

Argon gas

Air

Vacuuum

Argon gas

Vacuuum

Krypton gas

Argon gas

Air

Vacuuum

Argon gas

Vacuuum

Krypton gas

Argon gas

Air

Visible Light Transmittance

79%

64%

78%

79-85%

81%

81%

79%

64%

78%

79-85%

81%

81%

79%

64%

78%

79-85%

81%

81%

Manufacture Location

Belgium 🇧🇪

UK 🇬🇧

Japan 🇯🇵

China 🇨🇳

UK 🇬🇧

Belgium 🇧🇪

UK 🇬🇧

Japan 🇯🇵

China 🇨🇳

UK 🇬🇧

Belgium 🇧🇪

UK 🇬🇧

Japan 🇯🇵

China 🇨🇳

UK 🇬🇧

Lead-timed

6-8 weeks

4-6 weeks

16 weeks

10 weeks

2-4 weeks

6-8 weeks

4-6 weeks

16 weeks

10 weeks

2-4 weeks

6-8 weeks

4-6 weeks

16 weeks

10 weeks

2-4 weeks