We switched to triple panes about two years ago, mostly for insulation reasons, and honestly, I didn't notice a huge difference with noise. Maybe slightly quieter traffic sounds, but nothing dramatic. Could it depend on the type of noise? Like, would barking dogs or lawnmowers be harder to block than steady traffic hum? Curious if anyone else has noticed certain noises being reduced more than others...
I had a similar experience—got triple panes hoping they'd quiet down the neighbor's dog and weekend lawn mowing marathons, but didn't notice much improvement there. I think you're onto something with noise types though. Maybe triple panes are better at muffling steady, lower-frequency sounds like traffic, but sharp noises like barking or engines revving... probably not as much. Still, insulation-wise, they've definitely helped keep temperatures stable, so there's that at least.
Good points here—I've seen this a lot with my clients too. Triple panes are great for insulation and energy efficiency, but noise reduction can be hit or miss. Like you mentioned, steady background noises (traffic, HVAC hums) tend to fade nicely, but sharp sounds like barking or lawn equipment can still sneak through.
A client of mine had the same issue: triple panes installed to block out early-morning garbage trucks. Helped a bit, but not as much as they'd hoped. Still, they were pretty happy overall because their heating and cooling bills dropped noticeably. So, even if the noise reduction isn't perfect, the comfort and energy savings usually make it worthwhile in the long run.
Sounds like you're already seeing some of those insulation benefits yourself, so that's definitely a win.
- Had double panes installed last year, and honestly, noise reduction was pretty decent—maybe not perfect, but lawnmowers and barking dogs got noticeably quieter.
- Triple panes seemed pricey for the marginal improvement... energy savings are nice, but not sure the extra cost balances out long-term.
- Fair points, but have you considered the comfort factor? Triple panes might not drastically cut noise compared to doubles, but they do noticeably reduce cold drafts near windows in winter. Had a client who upgraded just their bedroom windows to triple pane—said it made a surprising difference in comfort, even if the energy savings weren't huge. Might be worth thinking about if certain rooms feel colder than others...
"Had a client who upgraded just their bedroom windows to triple pane—said it made a surprising difference in comfort, even if the energy savings weren't huge."
Interesting point about comfort, and I can see the logic there. But honestly, I've found that proper sealing and insulation around the window frames can make just as big of a difference. Last winter, my daughter's room was always chilly near the window. Thought about upgrading to triples, but instead spent a weekend carefully resealing and insulating around the existing doubles. It was night-and-day better, and way cheaper too...
Good call on sealing and insulation—people underestimate how much heat sneaks out around the frames. But I'll say this: triple panes are great if noise is a concern too. Had a client near a busy street, and triples made their bedroom way quieter... sometimes comfort isn't just about temperature.
Good points on noise reduction—had a similar experience myself:
- Installed triple panes at my own place (busy intersection nearby).
- Wife swears she sleeps better now, but honestly, I think it's just because she can't hear me snoring anymore...
- Energy savings were decent, but the quiet factor was the real win for us.
Still, if noise isn't an issue, doubles with good sealing usually do the trick.
Interesting take on the snoring factor, haha... hadn't thought of that angle. I've been debating triple panes myself, but noise isn't really a big deal where I live—just the occasional lawn mower or barking dog. Curious though, did you notice a big difference in comfort levels during extreme weather? Wondering if the extra insulation is noticeable enough to justify the cost, or if it's mostly just marketing hype.
"Wondering if the extra insulation is noticeable enough to justify the cost, or if it's mostly just marketing hype."
Honestly, I think triple panes are a bit overrated unless you're dealing with seriously harsh winters. My neighbor splurged on them, and during that cold snap last year, our houses felt pretty much the same inside... except his wallet was lighter, haha.