Chances are, if you own an older or historic home that was built before 1930 and still has its original windows, those windows have single panes of glass. There are lots of these homes around the Twin Cities area, and while those old windows have gorgeous detail and nothing can match the quality of the wood, they don’t do a very good job at keeping hot or cold air out, and they are extremely drafty. You can add storm windows to make your home more comfortable and cut your heating and cooling bills, but unless you really want to preserve those original windows, there is a better solution: double or even triple pane windows.
Clearly a huge leap in energy efficiency of windows was made when the double pane window was introduced to the housing market. Andersen Lumber (forerunner of today’s Andersen window and door company) added glazing and hardware to the wood frame window design they pioneered in 1913, and in the late 1930s double pane windows became available. And years later, even triple pane windows could be purchased.
What is the advantage of having more than one pane of glass? The space between the glass sheets is either air- or gas-filled, providing an insulating layer. You may have put your hand on an old single-pane glass window in winter and felt the cold. With windows with multiple panes, the glass surface inside the home isn’t like that. Hence your home is more comfortable, regardless of the weather, and your utility bills go down.
But how do you choose between windows with two panes or three? For most homeowners in our area, double-pane windows are more than sufficient. Today’s energy-efficient window manufacturers have produced windows that perform exceptionally well. There are times, however, when splurging on that third pane of glass is a good idea. You may have heard that a triple-pane window will cut out noise pollution better, but the fact is you probably wouldn’t notice the difference, and it certainly wouldn’t justify the cost. (The price may be almost twice that of a comparable double-pane window.)
Where a triple-pane window is a good idea is for northern exposure, where your home is subject to those arctic blasts Minneapolis winters are known for. If you’ve got windows in a room that faces north, those triple panes might be worth the extra cost. But there may be other solutions as well. We’d be happy to review them with you and make our recommendations. We’re in the business of designing the best window solution for homes in the Twin Cities metro, and we’d be happy to discuss our ideas with you. Please contact us today for a free no-obligation consultation. We can meet with you in your home, observing the recommended COVID-19 procedures, or you can schedule a virtual quote.
Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.
