The windows in your home play an essential role in security, energy efficiency, and comfort. With triple-pane windows, these benefits are amplified — especially compared to single-pane windows. On average, triple-pane windows cost between $400 and $3,540 per window with installation, or an average price of $1,920 for the average home.
- As the name implies, triple-pane windows feature three panes of glass. Each pane has a spacer separating it from the next, ensuring the glass remains equally spaced apart.
- Triple-pane windows are a robust, durable choice for many homes and help reduce unwanted outside noise.
- While installing triple-pane windows as a DIY project is doable for some homeowners, it can be out of range for inexperienced DIYers. In these cases, it’s usually better to hire a professional.
What Are Triple-Pane Windows?
As the name implies, triple-pane windows feature three panes of glass. Each pane has a spacer separating it from the next, ensuring the glass remains equally spaced apart. The space between the glass panes is full of air — usually argon or krypton gas — which aids in insulation, sound buffering, and energy cost reduction.
Better Insulation
The space between the panes is gas-filled in triple-pane windows. The gas between the glass acts as an insulating layer, ensuring warm or cool air remains in your home to keep the interior temperature stable.
This gas is colorless, non-toxic, and odorless, making it a safe, suitable choice for insulating your windows. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, while leaks are uncommon, a leaky or broken window releasing its gas doesn’t present a health concern.
Durable Construction
Triple-pane windows are a robust, durable choice for many homes. They often feature fiberglass or vinyl frames, which are long-lasting and strong enough to withstand harsh weather and continuous sunlight.
In addition, their triple-layered glass design offers extra layers of durable security. Impacts on the glass may not break all three layers, leaving one or two panels intact. This saves you the trouble of temporarily patching the window while you wait for repair, ensuring your home remains weather-proof and free of accidental entry points until you can fix the window.
Effective Sound Reduction
Sounds in the environment around your home — traffic, barking dogs, playing children, or neighbor’s conversations — can travel into your home, disturbing your peace and quiet. With triple-pane windows, these sounds become muted, leaving you to enjoy your tranquil environment.
As sound waves travel, the windows act as a stumbling block. The glass panes and framing weaken, absorb, and minimize the sound waves, ensuring your home remains quiet. Compared to single- and double-pane windows, triple-pane models are the most soundproof.
Reduced Energy Costs
The windows in your home play a critical role in keeping warmed or cooled air inside the space. Old, drafty windows force your HVAC system to work overtime to maintain an even temperature.
A study by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory demonstrates the importance of windows in correlation with lower energy consumption. In this study, researchers found that 19% percent of heating energy and 39% of cooling energy make up for energy lost through the windows of a typical single-family residence.
In this study, researchers installed triple-pane windows in test homes to demonstrate the reduction in energy costs. By installing these windows, test homes saved an average of 12% on heating and a whopping 28% on cooling costs. The lower heat loss and better insulation mean triple-pane windows are incredibly energy-efficient.
Additionally, replacement windows bearing the ENERGY STAR certification can offer approximately 12% savings on household energy bills for the average home.
What Is The Cost of Triple-Pane Windows?
The cost of triple-pane windows stems from multiple factors, including materials, project size, window measurements, and installation methods. Each factor contributes to the final cost of your triple-pane window installation, driving the number higher or lower.
Average Cost for Triple-Pane Windows
On average, a triple-pane window (materials only) costs between $300 and $2,740 — although customized or oversized windows can be pricier. With installation, the price averages out to $1,100, or between $400 and $3,540 per window. Costs vary drastically based on factors specific to the installation, such as the number of floors and windows, so your project might be higher or lower than the average cost range.
Installation and Materials Cost Breakdown
The materials and installation costs make up the largest portions of triple-pane window costs. The chart below outlines average costs to provide a general guide.
Factor | Cost |
Average project range (with installation) | $400 to $3,540 |
Average cost per window (materials without installation) | $300 to $2,740 |
Average labor costs per window | $100 to $800 |
Price per square foot | $25 to $40 |
Factors That Impact the Cost of Triple-Pane Windows
The cost of your triple-pane windows will vary based on factors specific to your situation. Factors like customization, sizing, professional labor costs, and permits can drive the total up or down for this home improvement project or new construction.
Brand
Like many products, windows come in varying brands — some pricier than others. As you browse through triple-pane window brands, consider pricing based on the brand. If you decide to overhaul your home with a pricier window brand, you can expect to pay significantly more than if you chose a more cost-effective brand.
Learn more: Find the best window replacement company in your area.
Permits
In many locations, local building codes require you to obtain a permit before installing your windows — so be sure you check with your local building authority and obtain the necessary permits for your project. The permit cost is usually included in the quote if you hire an installer, but it doesn’t hurt to make sure.
Project Size
The size of your project plays a significant role in the final number on your project bill. For example, you may pay more for a window if you only replace one. On the other hand, if you’re outfitting your entire home with triple-pane windows, you might pay less per window.
Some window suppliers offer deals and promotions after you meet a minimum purchase, reducing the cost per window for your entire project. While these deals might not be available from every supplier, it doesn’t hurt to check.
Season
Window installers have busy seasons and off-seasons, although they usually offer their services year-round. Since some seasons are busier than others, you can generally expect to pay more if you choose to install your windows during these times of year — spring and fall. Conversely, you might pay less if you outfit your home with new windows during the off-season — usually summer and winter.
Type of Frame
When installing a new window, you must ensure the window frame fits the replacement. Of course, this isn’t an issue with a new build — as frames are built to match the windows — but if you’re replacing an old window, it’s something to consider.
Sometimes, the existing frame might be compatible with the new window. That said, if the frame is in poor condition or doesn’t match the new window’s requirements, you’ll need to replace the frame. This can tack on additional costs, as you’ll need materials to replace the frame and extra labor time if you hire a professional.
Window Sizing and Customization
Like most products, larger or customized triple-pane windows are pricier than their smaller or pre-made counterparts. These windows usually require extra time and labor to complete the manufacturing and installation processes, making them more expensive.
For example, if you’re installing a custom triple-pane bay window, you can expect to pay more than if you were installing a generic double-hung window type.
Do Triple-Pane Windows Increase Home Value?
While triple-pane windows can increase your home’s value, the amount hinges on your location. In warm, mild climates where triple-pane windows are uncommon and pricey, it’s unlikely that installing them will significantly increase your home’s value.
However, if you live in a cold, extreme climate, installing triple-pane windows can increase your home’s value. Double-pane and triple-pane windows are relatively standard for these areas, as they improve insulation and reduce energy loss, so they can increase your home’s value.
Triple-Pane Windows vs. Double-Pane Windows
Triple-pane and double-pane windows can be excellent investments for many homes. Both feature multiple layers of glass, offering an edge over single-pane windows. These windows provide a range of benefits, with several similarities and a few differences.
Cost Differences
Triple-pane windows are typically pricier than double-pane windows by a decent amount. On average, you can expect to pay 10%–15% more for triple-pane windows than double-pane windows. Of course, pricing varies based on various factors, including sizing, discounts, brands, and more, so differences may be minor in certain scenarios.
Energy Efficiency
While double-pane and triple-pane windows are significantly more energy efficient than single-pane windows, triple-pane options offer an edge over the double-pane variety. Compared to a single-pane window, triple-pane windows can offer an impressive 50% improvement in energy efficiency.
With a double-pane window, the difference is smaller, as triple-pane windows are only 20% more energy efficient than double-pane windows. Although the difference is smaller, this improvement can significantly affect heating and cooling costs for homes in extreme climates.
Safety and Durability
Both are surprisingly safe and durable, especially compared to single-pane windows. The multiple layers of glass add extra security, making it more challenging to break through, either by accident or intentionally. Even if one layer of glass breaks, you might still have one or two layers of glass intact, ensuring your home remains weather-proof.
However, while they’re both durable, triple-pane windows have the advantage. Triple-pane windows have an extra layer of glass, making breaking through the entire window even harder. On top of that, they’re heavier than other types, making them more resistant to damage.
DIY vs. Professional Installation
While installing triple-pane windows as a DIY project is doable for some homeowners, it can be out of range for inexperienced DIYers. In these cases, it’s usually better to hire a professional. However, if you can do the project yourself, you can eliminate labor costs and save money.
That said, it is a complex process. First, you will need the correct tools:
- Hammer
- Drill
- Level
- Pry bar
- Tape measure
- Screwdriver
- Caulk and caulk gun
- Waterproof shims
- Putty knife
- Insulation
- Expanding Foam
Once you gather the proper tools, you can start installing your triple-pane window.
- Remove the interior stops with the pry bar.
- Test the fit of your new window.
- Stuff the window sash weight cavity with insulation.
- Apply caulk along the inside of the backside of the window stool.
- Place the new window.
- Use shims to get the window level and plumb.
- Test that the window opens with no issues.
- Fasten the window jab with screws on the left and right while ensuring the window is level and plumb.
- Check that the window is square by measuring diagonal from corner to opposite corner both ways. The two diagonal measurements should equal each other. If the window is not square, use shims to make it square.
- Ensure the window is plumb; if not, make it so with shims.
- Reinstall the window trim.
- Insulate under the sill of the new window.
- Caulk the window joints outside.
- Paint the trim (if necessary).
If you’re unfamiliar with window installations, hiring a professional is best. With this route, you can expect to pay extra for labor costs. The total amount you’ll spend on labor will vary based on the project size and difficulty.
Final Thoughts: Are Triple-Pane Windows Worth the Money?
For many homeowners, the selling points of triple-pane windows are improved security, noise reduction, and durability. These benefits apply to any installation — regardless of your climate — making them worthwhile if this is what you’re looking for.
Triple-pane windows cost between $400 and $3,540 with installation, and pricing varies based on brand, the number of windows, the type of frame, and how many floors your home has.
However, if the energy efficiency and insulation factors aren’t important to you, these windows might not be worthwhile. The energy efficiency benefits have the most dramatic results in extreme climates, so triple-pane windows might be more than you need if you live in a mild climate.
That said, triple-pane windows can be an excellent investment, regardless of where you live. Even if you don’t see dramatic energy efficiency improvements, you can still enjoy improved security, noise reduction, and durability.
FAQs About Triple-Pane Windows
Do triple-pane windows reduce sound?
Triple-pane windows offer solid sound reduction, especially compared to single-pane windows. The layers of glass weaken, absorb, and minimize sounds from outside, ensuring your home remains comfortably quiet.
How much does the average triple-pane window cost?
On average, a triple-pane window costs $1,520. However, the average range extends from $300 to $2,740 for materials alone, so the cost of your new window might be higher or lower than the average cost.
How much do triple-pane windows save?
The amount you’ll see in energy savings by switching to triple-pane windows depends on which windows you had before. If you’re switching from single-pane windows, you might see up to 50% improvements in your home’s energy efficiency. Conversely, if you’re switching from double-pane windows, you might see up to 20% improvements in energy efficiency.
What are the benefits of triple-pane windows?
Triple-pane windows offer many benefits, especially compared to their single-pane companions. They offer better sound insulation, ensuring your home remains quiet. They also improve your home’s energy efficiency, relieving your HVAC system by trapping heated and cooled air. In addition, they offer superior security and durability via a heftier, more robust construction.