Triple glazed windows in Ireland
Modern 40mm to 44mm argon-filled triple glazed windows achieve whole-window U-values (Uw) of 0.78 to 0.95 W/m²K — cutting heat loss by up to 70% compared with older 1990s/2000s double glazing (2.8 W/m²K) and adding only 12% to 15% (€600 to €1,100 on a 3-bed semi-detached house) over A-rated double glazing.
How triple glazing works, why it stops cold downdraughts beside sofas and beds, and when to specify acoustic glass.
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A-rated double glazing vs 44mm triple glazing compared
| Specification | Modern A-rated double glazing | 40mm–44mm argon triple glazing |
|---|---|---|
| Glass unit construction | 4mm Low-E / 20mm Argon / 4mm Clear (28mm) | 4mm Low-E / 16mm Argon / 4mm / 16mm Argon / 4mm Low-E (44mm) |
| Centre-pane U-value (Ug) | 1.1 – 1.2 W/m²K | 0.5 – 0.6 W/m²K |
| Whole-window U-value (Uw incl. frame) | 1.2 – 1.4 W/m²K | 0.78 – 0.95 W/m²K |
| Inside glass surface temp at 0°C outside | ~15.8°C | ~18.4°C (no cold radiant chill) |
| 3-bed semi-detached full house (white uPVC) | €4,500 to €7,800 | €5,100 to €8,800 (+€600–€1,000) |
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Pick your approximate house size, your preferred frame material (smooth white uPVC, colour-foiled uPVC or aluclad), and double vs triple glazing.
Estimated guide price (incl. VAT)
€5,150 to €8,900
3-bed semi-detached (8–10 windows) · Smooth white uPVC · Triple glazing (0.8 W/m²K)
Guide price for a 3-bed semi-detached (8–10 windows) in smooth white upvc with triple glazing (0.8 w/m²k), including removal of old frames, low-expansion foam sealing, internal reveal plastering and 13.5% VAT. If completed as part of a qualifying SEAI whole-house upgrade, the SEAI grant for this home size is €3,500.
Ask a local installer for a quoteWhy triple glazing eliminates cold downdraughts and condensation
Even when your central heating thermostat reads 20°C, sitting beside an older 2.8 W/m²K window feels chilly because the inner pane of glass drops to 10°C–11°C on frosty nights. Air touching that cold glass cools, sinks to the floor and rolls across the room as an ankle-level draught. With 0.8 W/m²K triple glazing and warm-edge composite spacer bars, the inside glass stays at ~18.4°C — stopping both cold downdraughts and morning condensation on bedroom sills.
Busy road or flight path? Standard triple glazing uses three 4mm panes (4/16/4/16/4) primarily for heat retention. If your front bedrooms face a main road, ask your installer to specify an asymmetric 6.8mm acoustic laminated outer pane on the street-facing windows to cut traffic noise by 38 to 44 dB.
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Questions homeowners ask
Are triple glazed windows too heavy for standard window hinges?
No — modern 70mm to 82mm uPVC and aluclad profiles use heavy-duty stainless steel friction stays specifically engineered for 40mm–48mm triple-glazed sash weights.
Does triple glazing make rooms darker?
Modern low-iron soft-coat low-E glass lets through 71% to 74% of visible daylight on triple glazing (compared with ~79% on double glazing), a difference that is imperceptible to the human eye.
Window replacement across all 26 counties
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