Totally agree on the installer making or breaking the investment. Argon’s only as good as the seal, and most IGUs (insulated glass units) lose a bit of gas every year anyway—maybe 1% or so if you’re lucky. I’ve seen some “budget” windows lose half their fill in a few years because the spacers were junk. Proper install and decent materials matter more than most folks realize. And yeah, krypton... unless you’re building a passive house in the Yukon, seems like overkill for the price. I’d rather spend the extra cash on attic insulation or sealing up leaky ducts myself.
Proper install and decent materials matter more than most folks realize.
Couldn’t agree more. I swapped out my old windows a couple years back, went with argon, but only after grilling the installer about their process. My neighbor did the “budget” route and his seals failed in two winters—now he’s got foggy panes and regrets not spending a bit more. Honestly, unless you’re in a super cold spot, argon gives you a good bump, but it’s not magic. Like you said, better to put money into sealing up the rest of the house if you’ve still got drafts.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen a lot of folks put too much faith in argon, like it’s some miracle fix for every draft and energy bill. It’s true, when it’s done right, argon does help with insulation—no argument there. But I’ve also had clients who paid extra for argon fills and still complained about cold spots, only to find out their casements or sills were leaking air like crazy.
Honestly, in my experience, the biggest gains come from tightening up everything else—attic, crawlspace, even outlet gaskets—before worrying about what’s between the glass panes. Argon can leak out over time too, especially if the seals aren’t top-notch, and then you’re basically left with regular air anyway. I’d rather see folks spend a bit more on solid install and proper flashing than upgrade to argon if they’re on a budget.
Not saying argon’s bad, just that it’s not always the slam dunk people expect. Sometimes, good old-fashioned attention to the basics does more for comfort than fancy gases.
I’ve actually lived through this exact scenario—spent a chunk on argon windows a few years back, thinking it would be a game changer for our old 1960s ranch. The difference was honestly pretty subtle until we finally sealed up the crawlspace and added insulation in the attic. That’s when the house actually started feeling warmer in winter. Argon’s fine, but if you’ve got leaky sills or gaps, it’s like pouring water into a sieve. I wouldn’t skip the basics for the sake of fancy glass.
Argon’s fine, but if you’ve got leaky sills or gaps, it’s like pouring water into a sieve.
Couldn’t agree more. I put in argon-filled windows thinking it’d solve my draft problems, but honestly, the real improvement came after I dealt with the old weather stripping and added some attic insulation. Argon’s a nice upgrade, but if the rest of the house isn’t tight, you’re not gonna see much difference. I’d focus on sealing and insulation before shelling out for fancy glass.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’d argue argon still makes a noticeable difference—at least in my case. After sealing up the obvious leaks, I swapped out a couple of old double panes for argon units, and the rooms actually felt less drafty. Maybe it’s just my old brick house, but the combo of both really paid off. If you’ve already done the basics, I think argon’s worth it.
the combo of both really paid off. If you’ve already done the basics, I think argon’s worth it.
That’s interesting, because I always wondered if I’d actually notice a difference or if it was just marketing hype. I’ve patched up drafts and insulated everything I can, but my old windows are still a little suspect. Did you notice any change in condensation on the glass after switching to argon? That’s been my biggest gripe in winter—waking up to puddles on the sill.
Did you notice any change in condensation on the glass after switching to argon? That’s been my biggest gripe in winter—waking up to puddles on the sill.
Yes, there’s a noticeable improvement with argon-filled units compared to plain air. I live in an older brick house, and even after sealing up drafts, the condensation was a problem every winter. Once I upgraded to argon (double-pane, low-E), the glass stayed much warmer—condensation dropped a lot, especially on cold mornings. Not zero, but enough that I don’t have to mop up water every day.
One thing, though: if you’ve got leaks around the window frames or poor ventilation, even argon won’t solve everything. It helps keep the inside pane closer to room temp, which cuts down on moisture, but it’s not magic. Also, over time, some argon can leak out if the seal fails... so quality installation matters.
In my experience, it’s a worthwhile upgrade if you’ve already tackled insulation and draft-proofing. The difference isn’t dramatic overnight, but over a season, you’ll probably appreciate it.
- Love hearing that argon made a real difference for you.
- I’ve been debating the switch myself—condensation drives me nuts in winter.
- Good reminder that fixing drafts and leaks comes first.
- Sounds like you did everything right, and it paid off. That’s encouraging!
- Didn’t realize argon can leak out over time... something to watch for, I guess.