That’s a good point, but I’ve always wondered—how much difference does the gas actually make if you’ve already got double or triple panes? I mean, is the jump from argon to krypton really noticeable in day-to-day comfort, or is it more of a “numbers on paper” thing? I’ve sealed up most of my leaks over the years, but I still get cold spots near the windows on windy days. Is that just the glass, or could it be something else? Sometimes I feel like there’s only so much you can do before you hit diminishing returns...
- Totally hear you on the diminishing returns. Once you’ve got double/triple panes and sealed leaks, the gas in the window is just one piece of the puzzle.
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“Is the jump from argon to krypton really noticeable in day-to-day comfort, or is it more of a ‘numbers on paper’ thing?”
- For most homes, it’s mostly “numbers on paper.” Krypton does insulate better than argon, but unless you’re in a super cold climate or doing a deep energy retrofit, you probably won’t feel a dramatic difference.
- The U-value drop between argon and krypton is there, but it’s pretty incremental—like, tenths of a point. Not nothing, but not game-changing either.
- Cold spots by the windows could be:
- Air leaks (even tiny ones you can’t see)
- Poor insulation around the window frame (the wall itself)
- Convection currents—cold glass cools air, which drops to the floor and feels drafty even if there’s no leak
- I’ve got triple panes with argon in my place (built in the 80s) and still get that “chill” near the glass on windy days. Turns out, a lot of it was the wall insulation right under the window—once I beefed that up, it helped more than anything fancy inside the glass.
- Cost-wise, krypton is way pricier than argon. Unless you’re going for passive house standards or live somewhere like northern Minnesota, I’d stick with argon and focus on sealing/insulating around the frames.
- At some point, yeah, you hit that wall where more upgrades don’t pay off much in comfort or bills. Sometimes it’s just physics—glass will always lose more heat than a solid wall.
- If you’re chasing those last few degrees of comfort, heavy curtains or cellular shades can make a surprising difference too. Not as high-tech, but works.
Hope that helps someone else weighing the same stuff.
Honestly, I’ve seen a lot of folks get caught up in the “fancier gas” debate, but like you said,
I’d say the same—argon’s usually enough. I’ve swapped out dozens of windows for clients, and when someone complains about drafts it’s almost always a framing or seal issue, not the gas. Save your money for better insulation or maybe some solid window coverings. The numbers look nice on paper, but real-world comfort rarely matches the hype.“unless you’re in a super cold climate or doing a deep energy retrofit, you probably won’t feel a dramatic difference.”