Glad you mentioned the bathroom fan thing—I had the exact same issue when I moved into my first place. Thought I'd have to replace windows or something expensive, but nope, just needed a better fan and a bit more patience after showers. Good to hear triple panes helped with noise though; I'm near traffic too and considering the upgrade eventually. Maybe energy savings aren't huge, but peace and quiet counts for a lot in my book...
"Maybe energy savings aren't huge, but peace and quiet counts for a lot in my book..."
Completely agree with you there—noise reduction is often overlooked when people discuss window upgrades. From a purely technical standpoint, triple-pane windows do offer improved thermal insulation (lower U-values) compared to double-pane, but the incremental energy savings can be relatively modest depending on your climate and existing insulation levels. However, the acoustic benefits are significantly more noticeable, especially if you're near busy roads or urban areas.
One additional thing to consider is condensation control. Triple-pane windows typically have warmer interior surface temperatures, which reduces condensation issues in colder climates. This can indirectly prolong window lifespan and prevent moisture-related damage or mold growth around sills and frames.
Personally, I upgraded to triple panes primarily for thermal comfort reasons (no more chilly drafts!), but the quieter indoor environment turned out to be an unexpected yet very welcome bonus. If noise is a major concern for you, the extra cost might indeed justify itself beyond just energy savings alone.
I went triple-pane last year mostly for warmth, but honestly, the quiet was the real game changer. Didn't realize how much street noise bugged me until it was gone...worth every penny just for that alone.
"Didn't realize how much street noise bugged me until it was gone..."
Interesting...I always figured triple-pane was mostly marketing hype. My double-panes are decent enough for warmth, but now you've got me wondering if quiet alone might justify the upgrade. Maybe next reno I'll reconsider.
I was skeptical about triple-pane too, thought it was mostly marketing fluff. But after helping my brother install them at his place last summer, I gotta admit—the difference in noise reduction is pretty noticeable. He lives near a busy intersection, and before the upgrade, you'd constantly hear traffic hum and occasional honks. Now it's like someone turned the volume way down.
That said, if your neighborhood's already fairly quiet, double-pane might be enough. Triple-pane windows are definitely pricier, and the energy savings alone probably won't justify the extra cost anytime soon. But if street noise bugs you or you're sensitive to sound when sleeping or working from home, it could genuinely be worth considering. I didn't think I'd care much about noise either until I experienced the difference firsthand...