Is the extra price for krypton windows actually worth it?

- Had the same debate last year - felt like my window guy was trying to sell me a spaceship, not glass.
- Krypton is technically better at insulating, but it’s a “diminishing returns” kind of thing. You get maybe a few percent better R-value, but the price hike is way more than that.
- Midwest winters are no joke, but if your insulation’s already decent, you probably won’t notice a huge difference between argon and krypton. I went with argon in my ‘85 ranch and honestly, my bills didn’t budge much from the old leaky windows.
- Only time I’d say krypton’s worth it is if you’re going ultra high-efficiency everywhere else or you’ve got super skinny window panes (like triple-pane, thin profile stuff).
- My neighbor paid for krypton. He brags about it, but… he also has a heated garage and two fireplaces, so who knows if it’s the windows?
- Unless you’re planning to live there forever and want every last bit of efficiency, argon’s usually the sweet spot. Spend the savings on thicker curtains or a nice snowblower.

I’ve wondered about this too - especially with the way window salespeople hype up krypton like it’s some miracle gas. I put in new windows a few years back, went with argon mostly because the price jump for krypton seemed nuts for what you get. Maybe if I had huge glass walls or lived somewhere with brutal winters, I’d feel different, but in my split-level in central Illinois, I haven’t noticed any wild changes since swapping out the old aluminum frames.

Here’s something I keep circling back to: does anyone have long-term data on how these gases hold up? Like, do argon and krypton both leak out over time at the same rate, or is one actually more stable? If you’re spending extra for krypton but it dissipates just as fast after 10-15 years, that seems like a waste.

Also, curious if folks have noticed any difference in condensation between argon and krypton. My basement windows still fog up in deep winter, even after the upgrade… not sure if that’s a gas thing or just humidity issues.

- I actually went with krypton for a couple of our north-facing windows, and I’ll admit, the difference isn’t night and day. The sales pitch made it sound like my utility bills would plummet, but in reality, it’s maybe a couple bucks a month at best.
- As for gas leakage, most window pros I’ve talked to say both argon and krypton will seep out over time - nothing’s totally airtight. Krypton is supposed to be a bit more stable, but not enough to justify the price jump for most homes.
- Condensation on basement windows usually points to humidity, not the gas. We added a dehumidifier and it helped more than any window upgrade.
- Honestly, unless you’re in Alaska or have floor-to-ceiling glass, I’d stick with argon and spend the savings elsewhere.

That lines up with what I’ve heard too. I did a lot of research before swapping out my windows (also Midwest, 1970s house) and ended up going with argon. The price difference for krypton just didn’t seem worth it, especially when you factor in how long it’d take to actually “earn back” the extra cost. I mean, unless you’re doing triple panes or have some really unique situation, I’d say argon gets you most of the benefit without the wallet pain. Never noticed any crazy drop in bills, but the house feels less drafty, so that’s something.

- I totally get the hesitation on krypton, especially with Midwest winters and an older house. But in my experience, there are a few cases where it actually makes sense to go for it.

- If you’ve got smaller window panes (like in some mid-century homes), krypton fills those tighter spaces better than argon. The insulation bump is more noticeable - at least, that’s what I saw when we redid our basement windows.

- For anyone dealing with serious drafts or noise (we’re near a busy road), krypton with triple panes did make a difference. Not night and day on the bills, but the rooms are quieter and hold temp steadier.

- The upfront cost is tough to swallow, no doubt. But if you plan to stay put for a decade or more, sometimes the comfort upgrade is worth more than just the energy savings.

- That said, for standard double-pane replacements, argon is probably fine. Just tossing out another angle since not every house or situation is the same... sometimes that “wallet pain” does pay off in comfort, even if not on paper.

- Swapped out a couple of old double-hungs for krypton triple panes last winter. Honestly, the difference in drafts was obvious, especially during those subzero nights.
- Cost was a gut punch up front, but our living room’s way less chilly now.
- That said, if your windows are standard size and you’re not fighting crazy cold or noise, argon’s probably fine.
- I wouldn’t bother with krypton for every window - just the problem spots. That’s where it really shines, in my experience.

Had the same debate with myself last year - krypton or just stick with argon. Ended up mixing both, honestly. Krypton went into the bedroom windows that face the wind (old house, drafty as heck), and wow, it made a real difference when the wind was howling at 2am. Rest of the house? Argon’s been fine. The wallet pain is real, though. Unless you’re in a spot that gets hammered by cold or noise, I’d say save your cash for the problem areas.

I’ve actually wrestled with this same question, especially after getting hammered by a few brutal winters. Ended up going argon everywhere, but I do wonder if krypton would’ve been smarter for the north side windows - the ones that always seem to have ice on the inside come January. Did you notice any difference in condensation or just the draftiness? The price tag kind of scared me off, but maybe I was penny wise, pound foolish...

I went through the same debate last year when I redid my windows. Argon seemed like the best balance, but I kept hearing krypton was better for those stubborn cold spots - especially on the north side where you get all that wind chill. Honestly, I still get a bit of condensation on the inside when it drops below -20°C, but nothing like before. Did you find your frames or sashes made any difference, or was it just the gas fill? Sometimes I wonder if it’s more about the install than the glass itself...