I've installed plenty of both double and triple panes, and honestly, the gas fill isn't just marketing—though I get why it might seem that way. Argon is cheaper and does fine for most climates, but krypton actually performs better in narrower gaps (like triple-pane setups). As for noise reduction...I remember one client near a busy intersection who swore by triple panes. Personally, I noticed a difference too, especially with traffic hum. Not night-and-day maybe, but definitely noticeable if you're sensitive to noise.
"Personally, I noticed a difference too, especially with traffic hum. Not night-and-day maybe, but definitely noticeable if you're sensitive to noise."
Yeah, I'd second that. We swapped out our old double panes for triple panes about two years ago—mostly for insulation reasons—but the noise reduction was a nice bonus. It's not like it completely silenced the neighborhood kids or the occasional truck rumbling by, but it definitely softened things up enough to notice. If you're already replacing windows anyway, might as well go triple pane and enjoy the extra perks.
We went triple pane last year too, and I agree it's not magic, but it does help. One thing I'd add—make sure your frames and seals are solid too, otherwise you're kinda wasting money on fancy glass. Did you guys upgrade frames as well?
We upgraded frames along with triple panes for a client last spring—noticed a significant improvement in thermal performance. But you're right, without proper sealing and quality frames, triple pane glass alone won't deliver the results most homeowners expect. Learned that one the hard way...
Totally agree, triple panes can be awesome, but they're not magic. Had a buddy who splurged on triple-pane windows thinking he'd instantly slash his heating bill. Guess what happened? Barely any difference. Turned out his old frames were leaking air like a sieve. Once he bit the bullet and sealed everything properly, boom—finally saw those savings. Moral of the story: triple panes rock, but only if you nail the basics first...
Triple panes are nice, but honestly, double panes with good insulation and proper sealing can get you pretty close for way less cash. Had mine done last year—no regrets, and my wallet's happier too. Sometimes simpler is smarter...
Did double panes myself about three years ago—proper sealing and insulation made a huge difference. Triple panes seem nice on paper, but honestly, the extra cost didn't justify the minimal gains for me. Rather spend that cash elsewhere...like better tools.
"Triple panes seem nice on paper, but honestly, the extra cost didn't justify the minimal gains for me."
Totally agree with this. Did double-pane replacements myself last summer—sealed them tight and added weather stripping around the frames. Huge improvement, especially cutting drafts. Triple panes felt like overkill...I'd rather put that extra cash into insulation upgrades or attic sealing instead.
Did a job last fall where the homeowner wanted triple-pane windows everywhere. Honestly, after installation, even they admitted the difference wasn't huge compared to double panes we'd done previously. If you're already sealing well and insulating properly, double-pane windows usually hit that sweet spot. I'd say save your money for attic insulation or sealing those sneaky air leaks around outlets and recessed lights...those little improvements often make a bigger overall difference.
Totally agree that triple-pane isn't always worth the extra dough, especially if you've already tackled insulation and sealing. I did a full window replacement myself a couple years ago—went with double-pane low-E glass—and honestly, the comfort difference was night and day compared to my old single panes. But when my neighbor installed triple panes last summer, he admitted later he barely noticed any improvement over mine.
In my experience, once you've got good-quality double panes, your money's better spent chasing down those sneaky drafts around doors, baseboards, or even plumbing penetrations. I found air leaks around pipes under my kitchen sink that were letting in cold drafts all winter. Sealing those made way more difference than any window upgrade would've at that point. Triple-pane windows have their place—maybe in extreme climates—but for most of us, double-pane plus smart sealing is the sweet spot.