American Exteriors has invested in energy efficient products. They offer triple pane windows with their Patriot III Triple-Pane Glass Package. As has been explained on this site, triple paned windows are normally filled with either argon or krypton gas, or a mixture of both. The triple-pane glass package uses krypton gas.

There have been a number of complaints made against American Exteriors. Most seem to be about the salesmen, and the tactics used to promote and sell their products. You are therefore advised to do your own research before committing to this company. If you have any experience with this company that could help others in the market for windows, please share it here.

See also:

• Marvin Triple Pane Windows
• Pella Triple Pane Windows
• Penguin Triple Pane Windows

Before you get too excited about the prospects of acquiring Penguin triple glazed windows though, it is important to realise that there have been a myriad of complaints against this company. Many people believe these windows are way over priced. But that’s not the only issue. Others have complained about poor installation and support. They are said to be very pushy when it comes to making sales. Customers have lamented of their terrible experiences with Penguin representatives who visited their homes but were most difficult to get rid of. Some ended up signing up with Penguin (intending to cancel later) just to get rid of them.

There are so many horror stories related to Penguin that a lot more could be said. Suffice it to say, the matter was escalated, and the feedback from the Washinton Attorney General’s office shows that a settlement was reached. The press release dated March 2, 2010, stated:

“In its complaint, the Attorney General’s Office accused Penquin of misrepresenting its products, making false claims about the energy savings customers would achieve, and misleading consumers into thinking that the in-home appointments they set up with Penguin were something other than sales calls.

Penguin denied any wrongdoing as part of the settlement filed in King County Superior Court but agreed to restrictions on its marketing tactics.” (see http://www.atg.wa.gov/pressrelease.aspx?&id=25266)

With all the negative stuff out there on Penguin, it should be noted that many customers have had no formal complaints, and many actually value the windows and service provided by Penguin. So whether this company is worth your time, you decide.

See also:

• Marvin Triple Pane Windows
• Pella Triple Pane Windows
• American Exteriors Triple Pane Windows

Let us first understand why condensation happens. It must be understood that water vapour is a natural part of the atmosphere. Humidity is actually a measure of how much water vapour is contained in the air. At any given temperature, air can contain a certain maximum amount of water vapor. In other words, for a specific temperature, there is an upper limit to the possible humidity. That is when saturation is reached. If more water vapor tries to enter the system, it will condense to its liquid form. Air at higher temperatures allow for higher humidity levels. This is because air expands as temperature rises, which means there is more space to hold water molecules. Conversely, lower temperatures mean less humidity potential.

Based on this understanding, one would expect that as the temperature of the air goes down (ie. it becomes cooler), a point will be reached where there will be too much water molecules to hold in the air. This is known as the dew point. In other words, lowering the temperature will force saturation. It is at this point that condensation will begin. Essentially the water molecules become too compact to remain in the gaseous state, and must coalesce into its liquid state.

Condensation takes place on a surface that is cooler than the air which comes in its contact. This is expected since the cooler surface causes the interfacing air to become cooler, and if the dew point is reached, then water droplets will begin to form on the surface.

Condensation on the exterior of windows can therefore be anticipated when a cool night follows a hot day. During the day, the water vapour will build up in the air, and as the temperature falls in the cool of the night, the air will contract, causing the dew point to be reached, which results in condensation. Since windows tend to be cooler than the air, they provide a point for condensation. For energy efficient ones it becomes even more likely that condensation will take place on the exterior since there is less conduction of heat from inside to outside making the exterior temperature lower than that of windows that are not particularly energy efficient. So condensation on the exterior is actually a good indicator that your windows are performing as they should be.

Sometimes condensation will form on the interior of your windows. This will depend on the humidity inside, how energy efficient your windows are, and also the extent to which you have internal air circulation. Interior window condensation can be a nuisance especially when it gets to the point where the water begins to run down the wall and gather on the floor or elsewhere. This can erode the paint on the walls, or if you have wood in the path of the water, it might eventually do damage. It is best that you take measures to prevent interior window condensation.

The reason that the energy efficiency of your windows will impact whether condensation is formed on the interior, is that the less energy efficient windows tend to be significantly cooler than the air inside. This is so since the heat from inside is lost to the outside through the windows due to poor insulation, which make the temperature of the interior surface of the windows closer to that of the exterior. The more insulation a window provides, is the closer its interior surface temperature will be to the room temperature, making the conditions for condensation on the window surface less favourable.

Triple pane windows are noted for reducing condensation on the inside. Even double panes suffer from condensation issues. But triple panes provide the level of energy efficiency to ward off condensation. Bear in mind that not all triple panes are equal. Some might be no better than dual panes when it comes to the r-value. (see also energy efficiency of triple pane windows r value. But generally speaking, this means that one way to address any condensation concerns you may have, would be to install triple glazed windows. If that is not a viable option for you, you can try taking measures to reduce the internal humidity, or to improve the air circulation inside.

Pella corporation, being one to thrive on innovation and always seeking to improve, specializes in energy efficient products. For years now, this company has been awarded the Energy Star award. This award is given to companies that show commitment to ENERGY STAR products through promotion and delivery. Pella has windows that use triple paned glass. More specifically, their Designer Series offers triple pane advanced Low-E insulating glass with argon. This entails two layers of insulating glass with Low-E coating, and a third pane of Low-E glass. They also have a “between-the-glass” blinds and shades option which allows for privacy without having to block the whole window, and it also reduces the amount of cleaning needed since it will take longer for the blinds to accumulate dust, being between the panels. However, bear in mind that you will end up having to clean more surfaces of glass  as dust does eventually gather on the interior surface of the pane that opens.

You will find that Pella triple pane windows are cheaper than most other triple glazed windows. However, you may also notice that the energy efficiency of other triple panes tend to be better than the Pella product. This is because, the Pella triple pane window is not a sealed window. The interior glass panel is removable. This makes the Pella triple pane window more like a standard double pane window with a snap-on panel of glass on the inside. Obviously with this set up, there is only one space that can hold the argon gas, as there is really only one sealed compartment. It seems though the Pella design actually works better for noise reduction than the standard triple pane window design.

Customers who have purchased the Pella triple pane designer series have generally expressed satisfaction. Some however have been disappointed, thinking that the energy efficiency should have been better for triple pane windows. But once you understand upfront what you are getting, and you are comfortable with that, you will probably be satsfied with the quality as many other customers are.

If you have any feedback on these windows, you are invited to post your experience here, so that others may benefit in making more informed decisions.

See also:

• Marvin Triple Pane Windows
• Penguin Triple Pane Windows
• American Exteriors Triple Pane Windows

As you would expect with a company that tries to be on the cutting edge of technology, they also specialise in energy efficient windows. They provide triple glazed options. Marvin triple pane windows are also called tripane. A number of options combining the different energy efficient factors are available (see triple pane windows r value). For example, you can get tripanes with argon or krypton, or a combination of both. You can also choose LoE-272 (uses a double metallic coating in the inner glass face) or LoE-366 coating (uses 3 layers of silver) to reduce the heat transmission from the sun.

Marvin triple pane windows can be costly, and you will generally find that they are the more pricier of the various brands available. However, customers have found them to be of very high quality. Some customers have complained about shoddy service from the dealers. But bear in mind that Marvin’s warranty does not include labor. This means the service level will vary from dealer to dealer.

Sometimes poor installation can make it appear that the windows are at fault. If you find you are not satisfied with your purchase, you should verify that the installation is done properly before assuming that the quality of the window or door is below expectations.

If you have any experience with Marvin triple pane windows, your feedback would be appreciated here, so that others can be more informed.

See also:

• Pella Triple Pane Windows
• Penguin Triple Pane Windows
• American Exteriors Triple Pane Windows

Benefits of Triple Pane Windows vs. Double Pane Windows

A triple pane window provides more insulation and is more energy efficient than the more common double pane window (or dual pane), not just because of the added barrier, but because this extra layer allows another surface to be given a low-emittance (Low-E) coating.

Essentially a Low-E coating hinders radiant heat transfer. Therefore, the temperature on the inside of your building is not affected much by means of the triple pane windows whether it is summer or winter, as very little heat will be lost from the inside or gained from the outside. This is one clear advantage triple panes have over double panes. (See Energy Efficiency of Triple Pane Windows – r value)

Another advantage of triple pane windows over dual pane, is that they do not attract as much condensation on the interior. (see Condensation and Triple Pane Windows). Also, generally speaking, triple panes will provide better insulation against sound or noise from outside. However, bear in mind that double panes can be just as effective(or close enough anyway), if the overall space between the inner and outer layers, and the thickness of the glasses are the same for the double and triple.

Drawbacks to Triple Pane Windows vs. Double Pane Windows

There are of course some drawbacks to triple pane windows, otherwise it would be the default for everyone. The main one is the cost. (See The Cost of Triple Pane Windows). Triple pane windows can be quite expensive when compared to double pane. One might argue that triple pane windows are an investment since the initial cost should be recovered in the savings attained from the low energy loss. However, practically speaking, the additional cost will not be recovered in the lifetime of the window. This does somewhat depend on where you live and how cold it gets. For those in the more extreme climates, it might work out to be more cost effective to get triple pane windows. Another drawback to triple pane windows is that the extra pane adds to the weight of the window, and this can have adverse effects to the structure of the building and the window itself, if the structure wasn’t built to accommodate this type of weight.

For the most part, triple pane windows can be considered a luxury, that gives added comfort. Whether or not they are worth it, will depend on what it is you are trying to effect. The more salient points of consideration have been highlighted here which should equip you to make an informed decision if you are contemplating going with triple pane windows.

The main advantage that triple pane windows have over double glazed and single pane windows, is that they are more energy efficient. Triple panes have another layer of glass over dual panes. With this extra pane, there is now another two possible surfaces which can be given a low-e coating, which will contribute significantly to the energy efficiency. Triple glazed windows also tend to be filled with an inert gas like argon or krypton or sometimes a mixture of both. They may however just be filled with air. The use of the inert gas will increase the energy efficiency of triple pane windows. Each facet of triple panes that improves energy efficiency or insulation, will contribute to the increased cost. This is why triple panes are more expensive than double pane windows. How much more expensive they are, will depend on just how much more energy efficiency is built in.

So just how much more can one expect to pay for triple pane windows when compared with dual panes? There are some who will give estimates of up to 25% more for triple panes and others will say 10 to 15 percent. It is difficult to give any specific figures because the cost of the windows will depend on the window type, the dimensions and the energy efficiency rating.

Some companies sometimes have specials where they offer triple panes for the same price as double panes. This is likely a good deal, but it is important that you verify that the triple panes you’d be getting are actually better performers than the dual glazed for the same price. It is quite possible to have double pane windows that are more energy efficient than triple pane windows, depending on how each is constructed. Triple panes have the greater potential for insulation, but it is not necessarily the case that a triple pane window will be constructed to take full advantage of this potential. What you want to do is check that the R value of the triple panes are actually higher than the R value of the equivalent double panes.

To get the best answers to your questions about cost, I recommend that you contact the major dealers in windows and ask for quotations for specific dimensions, for a specific type of window. Once these parameters are defined, then collect the prices noting the R-value or U-value of these windows (ensure that this value is for the entire window). The price will vary according to the insulation value. But once you get this information, you will be able to determine the difference in cost between triple and double panes for the same dealers, and you will be in a position to compare dealers to see which ones give the best prices. You will also have the information needed to estimate just how long it will take to recover the additional amount you would spend for triple panes as compared to double panes with the savings realised due to the better energy efficiency.

The following are well known in the windows industry. These should suffice for giving a good benchmark.

Marvin windows
Andersen Windows
Loewen windows
Pella windows
Penguin windows

Contact each one and get the price information as explained above.

One should also bear in mind that the frames for triple pane windows might be more expensive than for dual panes, and the labour cost for installation can be higher too. So if you want to know how much you will ultimately have to pay, you should find out the details for these two factors.

Please feel welcomed to post your findings in the comments for the benefit of all.

It is not possible to totally prevent heat loss or gain, but it is possible to significantly reduce it by having well insulated windows. For this reason, double pane and triple pane windows are much preferred over single pane windows. In this article, we will look at how to compare the energy efficiency of windows.

First let us understand the five main factors that determine energy efficiency of windows.

1. Number of layers of glass. The more layers the window has, the greater the insulation. So one would naturally expect that double panes would perform better than single panes, and triple better than double.

2. How much air space is allowed between the glass panes. The width of the air space matters because to get the best efficiency, they should fall between specific sizes. Going smaller or bigger will reduce the energy efficiency. What is used to fill the “air” space will also affect the conductivity of the glass. Filling with an inert gas like argon or potassium will give better resistance to heat transfer, than just filling it with air.

3. The type of glazing. There are different types of treatments that can be applied to glass which would impact on the energy efficiency of the window. For eg. Low emissivity (low-e) glass allows the light to pass through fully, but it reflects 40% to 70% of the heat. Triple panes allow an extra pane to be treated with a low-e coating, thereby giving it even greater potential for higher energy efficiency. There is also heat-absorbing glass, which can absorb up to 45% of the solar energy.

4. The type of frame and spacer materials used. Some frames conduct heat better than others. For eg. Aluminum frames are not as good insulators as wooden and vinyl window frames.

5. The soundness of the installation. A poorly installed window could defeat all your efforts to enhance energy efficiency. For if the window and frame are not tightly fitted to the space where they should go, then air and heat will be transmitted freely through the gaps.

Windows are given ratings that indicate how well they resist heat conduction, or how well they conduct heat. The R value of a window measures how well it resists heat. Therefore the higher the R value, the better its energy efficiency will be. The U value of a window is actually the inverse of the R value [ie. 1/(R value)]. It measures conductivity. So the higher the U value, then the more heat transfer is allowed. This means the lower the U value, the better it will be for energy efficiency.

R values for windows generally range from around 0.88 to 3.0. However triple pane windows can go beyond an r value of 5.0. When you are getting windows, you should check to see what the R values are, so you can compare which ones are more energy efficient. You should also make sure you are comparing like with like. This means you should take into consideration the frames for each comparison. Having triple pane windows using an aluminum frame might not be better than having a dual pane with a fiberglass frame. So you should try to get an idea of the R value when all is factored in and make sure that you’re not only being told the R value of the center of the window.

To ensure that your comparisons are valid, you should also ensure that the R values of the different windows are set using the same standards.