Why Are Most Replacement Windows in San Diego Dual Pane?

If you’ve done any research at all into replacement windows in San Diego, you’ve probably noticed that the vast majority of the windows sold in the area are dual pane windows. You may have asked yourself if dual pane windows are really necessary. Or you may have wondered, if dual pane windows are good, are triple pane windows even better?

Many older homes in San Diego have windows with only one pane of glass within the window frame. This was pretty standard for homes that were built prior to the 1970s and 1980s, but there are some great reasons to consider replacing those single pane windows with dual pane windows. Here are a few of them:

The Energy-Saving Benefits of Dual Pane Windows

Replacing your single pane windows with dual pane windows can make a huge difference in how energy efficient your home is! Not only does a second pane of glass help keep out unwanted heat and cold, but dual pane windows also often have a special type of gas inserted between the two panes (typically Argon) and a warm-edge space to further reduce heat transfer.

When your home is made more energy efficient with dual pane replacement windows, you will start to see savings on your monthly energy bills—especially in the hot summer months.

The Sound Suppression Benefits of Dual Pane Windows

Dual pane windows also help keep out unwanted noise. Many of our customers tell us that they expected to hear less outside noise after having their new windows installed, but that they didn’t expect the difference to be so extreme! Homeowners near busy streets, schools, and even the airport report that their homes are quieter than they ever thought they could be!

Are All Dual Pane Windows Created Equal?

Just because a window has two panes of glass does not automatically make it energy efficient. Higher-end dual pane windows, such as those made by Anlin Windows, have additional technology involved that make them some of the most energy-efficient windows on the market.

So how do you know if the windows you are considering will provide you with the energy savings you’re hoping for? Look at the numbers.

The window industry has made it relatively easy to compare apples to apples. There are standardized metrics that measure performance when it comes to energy efficiency. The first measurement you should look at is a window’s Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). This measures the ability of a window to keep solar heat out of your home. The lower the SHGC rating, the better.

You can also consider a window’s U-Factor. This number will tell you how well a window keeps heat from escaping. When comparing U-Factor ratings among window brands, a lower number is best.

Dual pane windows with low SHGC and U-Factor numbers are going to be higher-quality windows. The windows we sell at BM Windows all have great ratings in both of these categories, but because they are made by regional manufacturers, we can still sell them at a competitive price.

What about Triple Pane Windows?

Some replacement window manufacturers make triple pane windows. At BM Windows, we currently don’t sell any windows with three panes of glass. The reason is—these windows are typically substantially higher in price, without offering substantially better ratings in terms of energy efficiency or sound suppression.

In the interest of offering our customers the best value for their money, we can’t, in good conscience, recommend triple pane windows at this time. In the future, if the prices of triple pane windows come down, or if a manufacturer begins to offer triple pane windows that offer benefits that we feel justify the higher price, we may choose to sell them. But at this time, we believe that high-quality, dual pane replacement windows are the best choice for San Diego homeowners—hands down!

If you’d like to get a quote on new dual pane windows for your San Diego home, contact us at BM Windows.