"triple panes are heavier, so installation really does matter."
Glad you mentioned this—I hadn't even thought about the weight factor. As a first-time homeowner, I'm leaning toward triple panes for the energy savings, but now I'll definitely vet the installers carefully...sounds like that's key. Thanks for the heads-up!
Thanks for the heads-up!
I went triple pane last year, and yeah, the weight thing surprised me too. I figured windows are windows, right? But when the installers showed up, they had to reinforce a couple frames because the old ones weren't sturdy enough. It wasn't a huge deal, but it did add some extra time (and cost) I hadn't planned for. Still glad I did it though—house feels quieter and warmer overall. Just something to keep in mind if your home's older like mine...
I get the appeal of triple pane, but honestly, I'm still skeptical it's worth the extra hassle and cost. My neighbor went double pane last year—no frame reinforcements, quicker install, and their house feels just as cozy as mine does now. Maybe triple pane makes sense if you're somewhere super cold or noisy, but for most of us, double pane seems to hit that sweet spot between comfort and practicality...