Choosing Proper Pane Quantity for New Windows

There are a few important areas you’ll have to consider if you’re choosing new windows for a home or business, and one of these is the number of glass panels. There are several different pane numbers available or that might be present in previous windows you see, each with its own set of qualities.

At Price’s Guaranteed Doors, we can help you choose the perfect windows for your home or business. Let’s go over some basics on single-, double- and triple-pane windows, plus why you might consider – or not consider – each option.

Single-Pane Windows

While they’re generally not offered by too many manufacturers anymore, single-pane windows used to be the basic standard for windows. They include one pane of glass set into a frame, and they function well enough in terms of basics like preventing wind, rain and other debris from entering the structure.

Beyond this, however, the benefits of single-pane windows begin to fade. They’re not very efficient at all when compared with modern options we’ll get to below, and often will pick up condensation or drafts in situations where you’d expect better. They also are not very good when it comes to insulation, so you’ll likely spend more on your utility bills each month to keep the structure comfortable as air is lost. In the year 2019, you’ll generally only see single-pane windows in older homes. We never recommend them.

Double-Pane Windows

Double-pane is the format we offer for most of our WinPro vinyl glass windows, and it shows major benefits compared to single-pane options. Double-pane windows feature two panes of glass, plus an important gas infill section that keeps air trapped between the two pieces and insulates the window very well.

Double-pane windows will bring you lower energy bills than single-pane options due to this insulation, and will also protect much better against condensation or drafts. On top of this, double-pane windows are far more effective noise blockers, which is important for homes or buildings near busy roads or in other noisy areas.

Triple-Pane Windows

Triple-pane windows follow a similar theme as double-pane options, just with an additional pane. And while these are indeed more efficient than double-pane options, the gap here isn’t anywhere near as large as the gap between single- and double-pane options – and it often isn’t worth the increased cost, which can be significant.

There might be some situations where triple-pane windows are the right way to go, such as if you live in certain extremely cold climates or are looking to up home values in particular circumstances. In most cases, however, our WinPro double-pane options will be everything you need for an affordable cost.

For more on choosing the right pane quantity for your windows, or to learn about any of our garage door or entry door products or services, speak to the staff at Price’s Guaranteed Doors today.