As part of its net zero agenda the Government has introduced its Future Buildings Standard for 2025. The purpose of this is to ensure that all new buildings are fit for a low carbon future, well insulated and require very little energy to keep them warm. They have already started the process with last year’s Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) which demands lower U values for timber windows and doors and will reduce further post 2025 (from 1.2 to 0.8 W/m2K). In essence, this will mean new buildings are likely to have to have triple glazing. The alternative is vacuum glazing, but which is best?
Basically, triple glazing is three panes of glass instead of two as in double glazing. With gas between the panes, they are highly efficient at retaining heat in a building and perform well acoustically too.
Advantages of triple glazing
- Cheaper bills for homeowners because they keep more heat in the building
- Better security – harder to break into
- Excellent for blocking out noise – ideal for busy roads
- Can help with the reduction of condensation
Disadvantages of triple glazing
- Cost – they are more expensive than double glazed units
- Weight – due to the additional glass involved they are heavier and require stronger fixings and sometimes specialist lifting equipment
- Design – chunkier frames to accommodate the glass units
The alternative for those people looking for a slimmer aesthetic or for historic properties that can’t have triple glazing is vacuum glass. Some planning authorities approve vacuum glass for buildings in conservation areas because they look like single glazing but perform as well as triple glazing.
What is vacuum glass?
As part of its net zero agenda the Government has introduced its Future Buildings Standard for 2025. The purpose of this is to ensure that all new buildings are fit for a low carbon future, well insulated and require very little energy to keep them warm. They have already started the process with last year’s Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) which demands lower U values for timber windows and doors and will reduce further post 2025 (from 1.2 to 0.8 W/m2K). In essence, this will mean new buildings are likely to have to have triple glazing. The alternative is vacuum glazing, but which is best?
Basically, triple glazing is three panes of glass instead of two as in double glazing. With gas between the panes, they are highly efficient at retaining heat in a building and perform well acoustically too.
What are the advantages of vacuum glazing?
- 3-4 times thinner than triple glazing
- Excellent thermal and acoustic performance
- Allows more sun to enter the room allowing you to harness more of the natural solar heat
- Much lighter than triple glazing
- Ideal for slimmer frames and profiles in modern or historic properties
- More environmentally friendly because they are lighter and easier to transport
What are the disadvantages of vacuum glazing?
- Price – it is the most expensive option
- Low impact resistance – where micro pillars are used it could put pressure on the glass
So which is the best? It depends on how much you want to spend! Vacuum glass is more expensive than triple glazing but it does have advantages.