What is the difference between single and double-glazed windows, their advantages and disadvantages

Vladislav Dobronravov

Leading technical specialist of Okna-Media company

The article was prepared specially for the site https://azaoknom.ru "And Behind the Window"

Currently, thanks to technical progress, manufacturers of plastic windows are ready to provide the end customer with a large number of a wide variety of models that differ both in design and in characteristics.

When choosing a high-quality plastic window, special attention should be paid to a double-glazed window, or rather to the number of glasses that make up it: there are either two or three of them. Which glass unit to choose - double or triple? This is one of the main questions, with the answer to which the buyer needs to decide before visiting a company selling plastic windows.

In this article we will analyze what a triple glass unit is, its design features. We will also compare its characteristics with a similar product, but containing two glasses - with a double-glazed window.

Single chamber package

Again, let's dwell on concepts. One chamber is not one, but two layers of glass, between which there is a special material that absorbs excess moisture. It is this substance that prevents the formation of condensation. Experts call this design “standard single-glazed unit”.

Two glasses of 0.4 cm, plus a gap between them of 1.6 cm, a package with a thickness of 2.4 cm is obtained.There is a configuration of PVC windows of both 1.8 cm and 3.6 cm. The weight of the profile depends on the dimensions ... Thus, a single-chamber double-glazed unit is noticeably lighter than a two-chamber one. What does this mean for the consumer? A light window is more securely fixed in the opening, and more light enters the room through two glasses.

Which double-glazed windows better retain heat in the house and protect against noise - single-chamber or double-chamber?

To buy a single-chamber or two-chamber double-glazed unit to equip a building? If earlier, traditional systems were used, consisting of a wooden frame, equipped with two or three sheets of glass, today modern double-glazed windows are widely used.

As explained above, a single chamber has two glasses. Between them, at the very edge of the package, there is an aluminum frame (the so-called spacer). It has perforations and is filled with granules inside, which are designed to prevent fogging by absorbing excess moisture and condensation.

Double glazing

The package consists of three glass layers, respectively, there are two gaps between them. A double-chamber window is the most common glazing option. It is suitable for any type of premises - apartments, cottages, business centers, office buildings. The standard thickness of a double bag is 3.8 cm.This indicator is given by 3 glasses of 0.4 cm and two air chambers of 1.6 and 1.4 cm.Of course, the weight of such a metal-plastic product is greater, and you need to make sure whether the fasteners will withstand the load ...

The differences between single-chamber and double-chamber PVC windows do not end there. What is not easy to see with the naked eye is the light transmittance.

It is worth noting that in the Far North, manufacturers also offer three-chamber windows to the public. An additional layer of glass allows for increased sealing and avoids heat loss. 4 glasses and three air blocks between them give a total of 5.8-6.0 cm of thickness. The window securely insulates from the noisy highway or airport.

The triple barrier retains heat 50% better than the double.True, you will be able to feel such a tangible difference only in severe frost, when the temperature drops below -40 °. In conditions where the climate is not so harsh, installing a triple package does not justify itself. Where winters are mild, double-glazed windows can be completely dispensed with.

Of course, there were some drawbacks. The three-layer construction weighs even more, and not every balcony or window opening will withstand it. To strengthen the junction with the frame, professionals advise to divide the opening into several narrower sections.

Double-chamber or single-chamber double-glazed window

What does a two-chamber window look like, what does it mean? To clarify the points, you need to clarify what the glass unit itself is. This is a translucent structure made of glass. It occupies most of the window area, lets in daylight, prevents heat from escaping, and prevents the penetration of noise from the outside.

The question of choosing a single-chamber or two-chamber double-glazed window arises when the consumer decides to change the wooden frame to a modern PVC structure. Below we will figure out how they differ, what advantages and disadvantages of each of the window systems can be identified.

How do double-glazed windows differ in price

Thrifty buyers ask about the cost immediately, however, the difference in the price range of single and double windows is not too big. Roughly, an additional camera will cost the customer only a quarter of the amount more expensive. But when buying a triple package, the cost can be a decisive factor, because a three-chamber structure costs twice as much as a double window. Here, they are already playing to increase not so much the cost of glass as the profile itself, it must be reliable and firmly fix the package.

How to prevent condensation and which sealant to choose

Condensation on windows is a common problem. Many have come across this, especially when installing PVC bags. To avoid this, it will be important to consider the following points:

Equip membrane waterproofing and high-quality insulation of the loggia fence.
It is better to choose two-chamber double-glazed windows with double frame insulation.
It is desirable that the frames have special ventilation holes.

Energy saving glass unit

A kind of single window, in which argon is pumped into the chamber instead of air. Although the special substance adds to the cost of the PVC structure, it has a high rate of thermal conductivity resistance. This achieves maximum energy savings.

There are also more expensive varieties. For example, a silver-coated mirror window reflects sunlight in clear weather. It prevents heat loss on a cool day. By the way, a great option for those who are looking for a warm insulating glass unit with light weight. It is about a third lighter and insulates better heat than a simple single or double window. The only drawback of the energy saving package is the shorter service life. The construction costs 10-15 years, after this time the gas is eroded, and the silver coating "peels off". The PVC product turns into an ordinary single-chamber double-glazed unit.

What's better

Many logically argue that the more cameras there are in the structure, the warmer it is and the better it protects against noise. Yes, this is so, but the large weight of the window, the increased thickness of the glass unit and the high cost of products serve as a limitation to their use and significantly reduce demand. In addition, some of the advertisements provided by the manufacturers were obtained as a result of laboratory tests, in conditions that do not correspond to the average climatic indicators.

Manufacturers claim that a three-chamber double-glazed unit, in comparison with a two-chamber one, reduces heat loss by half.However, this figure is true if it is below -40 ° C outside. At an air temperature of -30 ° C, the difference does not exceed 15%, and at -25 ° C - only 5%. It's the same with noise. Laboratory tests are carried out with sound vibrations of at least 120 dB, but even on the noisiest streets of large cities this figure does not exceed 80 dB.

Such "bells and whistles" as argon pumped into the chambers and silver sputtering on glass will last no more than 5 years. After that, the gas will escape through the leaks, and the coating will burn out. Therefore, it is inappropriate to spend money on it.

As a result, we can confidently state that for the central regions, the Urals, Western Siberia and the Far East, the most optimal solution would be to install plastic windows with a double-glazed unit... A three-chamber assembly makes sense beyond the Arctic Circle, in Eastern Siberia and other regions where air temperatures drop below -40 ° C in winter.

Where single windows are used

A profile with one chamber, although it does not provide maximum thermal insulation, is quite suitable for installation:

On the balcony or loggia

If the balcony is not equipped with additional heating, does not adapt to the kitchen or the recreation room, then you can safely put a single package there. The area of the loggia itself will serve as a second chamber, and equalize the temperature between the loggia and the main room. In this case, the difference between a single and a double product is not very noticeable.

At the dacha, "summer kitchen"

Since country houses often have a non-standard opening, it is convenient to make custom-made plastic windows. Even a two-chamber product will cost no more than wooden counterparts. If, with the onset of cold weather, the dacha is rarely visited, and the house has heating or a heater, you can safely spend the winter with a single-chamber double-glazed window.

Veranda

As a rule, this room is rarely heated and insulated, so a multi-layer PVC construction would be just appropriate here. Metal-plastic products harmoniously fit into the interior of a room in any style.

Those who live in the southern regions do not know the harsh winters. If in the cold season the temperature rarely drops below -10 °, then a window with a single package will suffice.

Differences between single-chamber and double-glazed windows

How to distinguish a single-chamber double-glazed unit from a two-chamber one? The single-chamber version consists of two sets of glasses, which are separated by an aluminum frame, the nutria can remain hollow or filled with absorbent. Air without moisture is pumped into the empty space, its residues are absorbed by the absorbent.

The high heat-shielding performance of this design is determined by the fact that the thermal conductivity of air is 27 times less than that of glass. To ensure the tightness of the package, its perimeter is protected by two layers of sealant

The differences between a single-chamber double-glazed window and a two-chamber glass unit lie in the number of glass surfaces. There are three of them in the two-chamber, they are divided by distance frames, this gives two sealed cavities filled with air. Each of the types of packages are distinguished by their advantages, disadvantages and other characteristics.

Advantages and disadvantages of a single-chamber double-glazed window

What is the difference between a single-chamber standard double-glazed window and a two-chamber one? To understand the issue, you should consider its main characteristics:

the use of glass from 4 to 6 mm thick;
width is 12-44 mm;
the coefficient of resistance to heat transfer is 0.34;
the use of this structure reduces the noise level to 32 dB;
the cost of such a window is 40% lower than that of its rival;
the package is lightweight, which has a good effect on the fittings, increasing its service life;
the single-chamber design is inferior to the two-chamber design in terms of sound and heat insulation.

Glazing of this type is used to equip:

balconies;
terraces;
loggias;
large rooms with adequate ventilation and good heating;
summer country houses;
non-residential buildings.

Experts do not recommend using this type of glazing for educational, medical institutions, rooms with high humidity and a minimum level of ventilation (kitchen, bathroom). In addition, this is not the best option for rooms with poor heating or windows overlooking the roadway.

Important! The presence of single-chamber structures always allows you to change them to higher-quality ones - two-chamber ones. In this case, only the package is subject to replacement, the frame itself and other elements remain the same.

low weight, no load on fasteners, fittings, which allows you to extend their service life;
equipping such a design with energy-saving glasses allows you to save heat well inside the room;
high light transmittance (up to 80%);
low cost.

low coefficient of resistance to heat transfer;
the formation of condensation already at a temperature of 8 degrees;
low levels of noise insulation;
low resistance to heat transfer.

Nuances: glass thickness

The thickness of a standard glass sheet is 0.5 cm thick, but when ordering, it is better to ask to assemble a bag from a layer of 0.6 cm and above. So a single-chamber package will be equal in efficiency to a two-chamber package. Thus, you can also significantly save money, because a double window is always more expensive than a single one, regardless of the quality of the glass. The thicker the glass sheet, the higher the energy saving of the finished product will be.

It is worth noting that the increase in thickness only affects heat retention. To achieve high noise isolation, such a trick will not help. To reduce the noise level in urban environments, you will need a double-glazed window.

Advantages of triple-glazed windows

What does a plastic PVC window consist of?
Consider the pros of triple glazing:

Three-glass window, in comparison with a light-transmitting structure equipped with only two glasses, it has better anti-burglary characteristics. The presence of additional glass significantly increases the time during which an intruder, when a glass unit is broken, can enter a dwelling.
Presence of inert gascontained in two chambers of a double-glazed unit, has a positive effect on the degree of heat retention by the structure and on the level of its sound insulation. At first glance, a small increase of 5-10% in some cases in terms of efficiency can replace the so-called energy-saving glass, designed to better retain heat.
Excellent sound insulation... With plastic windows, which include a triple glass unit, you can forget about the noise coming from cars passing by the windows. The barking of dogs, the "songs" of drunken individuals will also remain in the past if there are triple-glazed windows in the house.
Increased level of thermal insulation... Three glasses in a high-quality double-glazed unit provide much better heat conservation in the room than two glass sheets.
Energy saving... A country house requires considerable energy consumption for its maintenance. A triple glass unit, due to its increased energy-saving qualities, is able to effectively save heat. This will significantly increase the savings on electricity bills.

The pros and cons of a single window

Let's draw conclusions about the differences between single and double-glazed windows, based on the main indicators and properties. The indisputable advantage of the first type is the lightness of the design. Single windows are ideal for glazing balconies and loggias, because they do not weigh them down. And they are more profitable for the money.

However, in a city, one camera will not save you from noise, and in most regions of the country its thermal insulation will not be enough. We'll have to resort to an improved version filled with argon.The use of energy-saving windows negates the difference with two-chamber products in terms of efficiency.

What additional double glazing elements do I need?

Beyond the window or door, handles, color, trim, and more are important to the overall look of your finished project.

Color options

Several companies offer window frames in a variety of colors, including more modern options at https://oknabalkonperm.ru/. The handles are usually white, black, chrome and gold. Handles of various shapes are available to suit all tastes, from rustic to traditional.

Decorative windows

You can add patterns, textures and color to your window to make it unique. Options include: Lead glass with square, rectangular or triangular patterns (which can help maintain a sense of historical property) Opaque glass (for when you want privacy, such as in a bathroom or where the window is close to passers-by) decorated with precious stones or beveled glass can add a touch of color and is often seen in glazed front doors. window grilles mimic cottage-style windows, making one pane look like several small glass panes.

Pros and cons of double pack

The design of the "two-chamber" is more reliable and stronger than the "single". In terms of noise suppression and heat preservation, they surpass their single-chamber counterparts, so their use is practically unlimited.

Three glass layers and two chambers, while the thickness of the glass unit is not much more than a single one. The characteristics of noise and heat insulation are high. The cost of such a PVC product is 25-30% more than the price of a single-chamber bag. It is the advantageousness of the offer that makes this standard of windows the most in demand among the population. We will not repeat ourselves about the features of installation and fastening of metal-plastic products, they are set out above. However, remember that installing both designs will require care and precision. We advise you to involve professional craftsmen to perform this procedure, because the slightest distortion can result in drafts and loss of tightness.

The specifics of the design of a triple glass unit

Expert commentary

Vladislav Dobronravov

Leading technical specialist of Okna-Media company

Triple-glazed plastic windows are the best choice when planning the glazing of housing located in regions of the country with harsh climatic conditions.

At its core, a triple glass unit is a light-transmitting unit with three glasses installed in a kind of window frame - in a metal-plastic profile. Three glasses of this product form two chambers. Each chamber is responsible for the noise and thermal insulation properties of the window as a whole.

Accordingly, the larger the number of chambers in the glass unit, the better the window copes with keeping heat in the glazed room. Also, the degree of sound insulation depends on the intimacy of the glass unit - the level of suppression of noise penetrating into the dwelling from the street.

Earlier in the article "Construction of a double-glazed window", we have already considered that in addition to glass, this product includes: frames separating the chambers, as well as a desiccant whose task is to absorb excess moisture that appears in the chambers. Also, some pump gas [/ anchor] into expensive glass unit models to provide better heat and sound insulation between the glass panes.

What else to look for when buying

The gap between the glasses should not be more than 2 cm, otherwise the noise-suppressing and heat-insulating effect of the window will be lost.
A structure larger than 3 * 3.2 m is likely to deform under its own weight. Regardless of the price of metal-plastic products, a single or double glazing can be damaged.
If a colored glass layer is installed, then only from the outside, where it is securely fixed.
It is necessary to install the window structure when the outside temperature is at least -15, and inside the room there is at least 5 ° of heat.

Before buying, you must carefully study the details, and weigh the pros and cons. Choosing a manufacturer, as well as purchasing a profile and window fittings, you do not need to save money, because this significantly reduces their service life.

Which profiles to choose for the window

REHAU. They are characterized by high efficiency. REHAU PVC window constructions are distinguished by their beauty, durability and ease of maintenance. They look quite stylish. Provide a variety of functionalities to meet the expectations of even the most demanding homeowner.

The main advantages are:

These profiles are specially designed to withstand high UV radiation.
They do not discolor, do not deform and shrink.
They can help prevent condensation.
No rust or corrosion occurs.
Noise and thermal insulation at a high level.

VEKA. These profiles are made of high quality PVC. They can last a long time and are also made of environmentally friendly material. Sound and thermal insulation at the level, perfectly save heat. Also, these windows are resistant to sudden changes in temperature. Given our changeable climatic conditions, this is especially true.

KBE. These profiles are capable of providing safety, comfort and coziness. They have all the advantages that are usually expected from modern windows: waterproof, resistant, durable. They also tolerate ultraviolet rays well.

SALAMANDER. Advanced technologies are used in the production of these profiles. You can choose from a huge variety of shapes and colors. They are also highly functional and easy to use. Their sound and thermal insulation is at the same level, which makes them an excellent option for glazing.

The choice of the profile is yours.