Whether Triple Pane Windows Are Worth It for a Raleigh Home

Whether Triple Pane Windows Are Worth It for a Raleigh Home A third pane of glass has a reputation as the heavy-duty option, the kind of window people tend to associate with harsh northern winters rather than central North Carolina. In a city where the bigger energy fight is keeping summer heat out, plenty of Raleigh homeowners wonder if a third pane is overkill. The honest answer from Harland Windows & Siding is that it depends on the house, the rooms and the budget, but the newest triple pane designs have changed the math in ways worth knowing about. Traditional triple pane windows add a full third sheet of glass. That brings extra insulation, but also extra weight, thicker frames and a little less daylight. The Ascent series by Kensington High Performance Products takes a different route with Advanced Thin Triple Pane Glass, which uses an ultra-thin center pane. Compared with standard triple pane, it is up to 40% lighter and lets in 35% more visible light. On a double-hung with LowE 366 and argon, NFRC ratings show a U-factor of 0.19, which can drop as low as 0.16 with krypton, along with a solar heat gain coefficient of 0.19 and visible transmittance of 0.43. That solar heat gain number is the one Raleigh homeowners should focus on. The Triangle spends more on cooling than heating, and west-facing windows bake every afternoon from May through September. A low solar heat gain coefficient means less of that afternoon sun turns into heat inside the room. Air leakage is the other standout. Ascent windows are rated at 0.03 cfm per square foot, and it takes about five of them to leak as much air as one typical vinyl window. Energy Star estimates air leaks can waste 25 to 40 percent of the energy used to heat and cool a home.

Harland Windows & Siding | 1401-G Diggs Dr, Raleigh, NC 27603 | 919-851-0060

Triple pane is not the only route to better performance, though. Harland describes itself as one of a small number of certified Heat Mirror Window Replacement Raleigh NC installers in North Carolina, and Heat Mirror glass suspends a thin clear film inside a double-pane unit to reflect heat and block UV without the weight of another glass pane. Noise reduction options are also worth a look for homes along busy roads like Western Boulevard, Hillsborough Street or Poole Road. For an older house in Hayes Barton or a brick ranch in Echo Heights, the right answer may be different, which is why Harland lays out multiple cost options rather than pushing a single product. The Ascent series also carries a lifetime, non-prorated warranty, including lifetime no-fault glass breakage, and it transfers to the next owner. An R-10 rated window option is available too for homeowners who want to push efficiency further still. To see how triple pane compares with other glass choices for window replacement in Raleigh NC, call Harland Windows & Siding at 919-851-0060 for a free estimate with upfront, itemized pricing.

Harland Windows & Siding Address: 1401-G Diggs Dr, Raleigh, NC 27603 Phone: 919-851-0060 FAQ About Window Replacement Raleigh NC How much does it cost to replace windows in Raleigh, NC? Most window replacement projects in Raleigh run between $6,000 and $40,000, depending on how many windows you are replacing and the type of installation. Harland Windows & Siding builds every quote around custom windows, installation by its own crew, removal and disposal of the old windows, and clean up. Estimates are free, so call 919-851-0060 for a number based on your actual home. What is the average cost of a good replacement window? The price of a single window depends on its size, style and glass package, so a budget-friendly single-hung and a large bay window can be far apart. Harland Windows & Siding offers everything from single-hung units up to Ascent triple pane and Heat Mirror glass. Your free written proposal includes several cost options, so you can compare quality levels side by side instead of guessing from an average. What is the cheapest time of year to replace windows? The biggest seasonal factor is scheduling. Spring and fall are the busiest seasons at Harland Windows & Siding, and because every window is made to order, most jobs start 3 to 4 weeks after booking. Booking early gives you more flexibility, and financing is available if spreading the cost matters more to your budget than the month you book. What is the average cost to replace 20 windows? It depends on the size of each window and the glass you choose. A typical home has 10 to 15 windows, and full-home projects with Harland Windows & Siding usually fall in the $6,000 to $40,000 range, so a 20-window house will depend heavily on the mix of styles and glass packages. The honest answer is an itemized quote, which the company provides free after measuring each opening. Is it cheaper to buy windows and have someone install them? Buying windows yourself can look cheaper at first, but stock sizes may need shimming to fit openings they were not made for, and you lose a single point of responsibility if something goes wrong. Harland Windows & Siding quotes custom-made windows and installation by its own crew as one price, including removal of the old windows and daily clean up. That keeps the cost clear and the fit right from the start. Is a big box store or a local installer better for window replacement? A local installer gives you more direct accountability, since the people who measure and quote belong to the same company that installs. Harland Windows & Siding has been based on Diggs Dr in Southwest Raleigh since 1986, uses its own crew rather than subcontractors and holds an A+ rating with the BBB. One Durham homeowner found its price came in at around half of the big box quotes, with a better warranty. Who has the best windows for the money? Value comes down to three things: the glass package, how well the window fits the opening and the warranty behind it. Harland Windows & Siding custom-makes every window to the measured opening and offers Heat Mirror glass as well as the Ascent series, which carries a lifetime, non-prorated, transferable warranty. A window that seals tightly and lasts for decades can cost less over time than a cheaper unit you end up replacing again. Is it cheaper to replace all windows at once? Whole-house replacement gives you the biggest comfort gain, one crew from start to finish and a consistent look, all in a single round of measuring and installation. Harland Windows & Siding can also handle one window or one room at a time if the budget is tight, and financing is available for larger projects. Your free estimate can include both approaches so you can compare them. Do I need a permit to replace windows in Raleigh? In most cases, replacing windows in the same openings does not require a permit in Raleigh. Changing opening sizes or adding new windows may, and Harland Windows & Siding helps you work out what applies during the free estimate. Call 919-851-0060 if you are planning an addition or a larger change to your openings. How long does window installation take? Once the custom windows arrive, installation for most homes takes one to two days, with larger whole-house jobs running a little longer. Because each window is made to order, most jobs with Harland Windows & Siding start 3 to 4 weeks after booking. The crew cleans up at the end of every day, so your home stays livable throughout. Are triple pane windows worth it in Raleigh? Triple pane can make sense in Raleigh, where long, hot summers mean solar heat gain matters as much as insulation. The Ascent series installed by Harland Windows & Siding uses Advanced Thin Triple Pane Glass, and a double-hung with LowE 366 and argon is rated at a U-factor of 0.19 and an SHGC of 0.19 while staying up to 40% lighter than standard triple pane. Whether it pays off depends on your home, so the free estimate includes options at different price points. What is the difference between Heat Mirror and triple pane glass? Heat Mirror suspends a thin clear film inside the gap of a double-pane unit, reflecting heat and blocking UV without the weight of a third pane of glass. Triple pane adds a third layer of glass, and the Ascent series uses an ultra-thin center pane that lets in 35% more visible light than standard triple pane. Harland Windows & Siding is one of a small number of certified Heat Mirror installers in North Carolina and installs both, so you can compare them side by side.