That’s exactly what happened to me—spent a chunk on new windows, but it was sealing up the frames and adding weatherstripping that made the biggest difference. Sometimes the basics just work better than all the fancy features. Curious if anyone’s actually felt a noticeable change with krypton over argon, or if it’s mostly just marketing hype? I’ve heard the gains are pretty marginal unless you’re in a super cold climate.
Had nearly the same experience here—spent a small fortune on “high efficiency” windows with krypton, thinking it would be a game changer. Honestly, I live in the Midwest where winters get cold, but not arctic-level, and the difference between argon and krypton wasn’t nearly as noticeable as the sales guy claimed. If anything, the real improvement came after I got serious about air leaks around the frames and put in some heavy-duty weatherstripping. That cut down on drafts way more than swapping gas fills ever did.
From what I’ve read, krypton makes sense if you’ve got super-narrow triple panes or live somewhere like northern Minnesota. Otherwise, you’re mostly paying for something you can’t really feel. I’d argue folks should focus on tight seals and good insulation before dropping extra cash on premium gas fills... unless you just like having the fanciest sticker on your windows.
I hear you—had a similar moment of sticker shock after going with the “premium” window gas. My house is a 60s ranch, and honestly, after I insulated the attic and sealed up the random gaps around the sills, it felt warmer than anything those krypton panes did. Maybe if you’re going full passive house or have crazy narrow frames, it’s worth it? Otherwise, I think the bang for your buck is in the basics. Those little foam strips and a caulking gun go a long way...
Maybe if you’re going full passive house or have crazy narrow frames, it’s worth it? Otherwise, I think the bang for your buck is in the basics.
I get where you’re coming from, but I actually did notice a difference after swapping out my old double panes for the krypton-filled ones—especially on the coldest days. Here’s what I did: first, I sealed and insulated like you mentioned (foam strips, caulk, the whole bit). Then, after a year, I did the windows. The basics helped, but the real “wow” came once the new panes were in. Maybe it depends on climate? I’m up north and those drafts just wouldn’t quit until I went all in. Didn’t hurt that my windows are original to the house, either... pretty sure they were more gaps than glass at that point.
- Swapped out my 70s-era windows for krypton-filled ones about five winters back.
- Did the basic sealing first, but honestly, the cold still crept in.
- After the window upgrade, rooms felt noticeably warmer—especially near the glass.
- Noticed less condensation, too, which was a bonus.
- Pricey, yeah, but up here in Minnesota it made sense.
- If your windows are newer or you’re in a milder spot, might not be worth the jump.
- Definitely agree, the difference is most noticeable in colder climates.
- Krypton does outperform standard argon, especially in triple-pane setups, but cost jumps up fast.
- Noticed clients with older homes get the biggest benefit—drafts drop, glass feels less icy to the touch.
- Condensation reduction’s a real plus, but if your humidity’s off or you’ve got other leaks, it won’t fix everything.
- Honestly, for milder regions or newer construction, argon’s usually enough unless you’re chasing top-tier efficiency.
I’ve put in a handful of krypton-filled units for clients up north, and I’ll say the numbers look great on paper—but in real life? Unless you’re dealing with a drafty old place or serious winter chills, most folks barely notice the difference compared to argon. The price jump is wild too. Has anyone actually tracked their heating bills before and after making the switch? I’d be curious if it really pays off long-term, or if it’s more of a “peace of mind” thing for homeowners.
I’m right there with you on the price jump—krypton sounds fancy, but when I swapped out a couple windows for the “upgrade,” my heating bill barely budged. Maybe if you’re in the Arctic it’s worth it, but for most of us? Feels like overkill. I think peace of mind is half the sell sometimes.
You nailed it—krypton gets hyped a lot, but in most climates, the difference is barely noticeable unless you’re doing a whole-house replacement or live somewhere brutally cold. I’ve put in both argon and krypton units for clients, and honestly, unless you’re obsessed with squeezing out every last bit of efficiency, the extra cost just doesn’t add up. Sometimes the peace of mind is what folks are really buying, like you said. Nothing wrong with that, but it’s good to know what you’re actually getting for your money.