Triple-Pane Preservation Windows: Argon Vs. Krypton Gas

Preservation Windows

• A preservation window is one that maintains the historic and architectural integrity of an older home or building. Installing a preservation window is different from replacing a conventional window. Many older homes have wooden window frames, while windows in newer homes typically have lighter weight vinyl or aluminum frames. As a result, if you switch from a wooden frame to a metal or vinyl frame, there will be a change in the overall look of the windows and of the home. If you cannot preserve the original window frame, you must evaluate how much change in appearance you are willing to make in order to install a triple-pane window.

Triple-Pane Windows

• Triple-pane windows are a suitable choice if energy conservation is an additional goal of the preservation window installation project. Because they have three panes of glass, triple-pane windows are more effective at reducing heat loss in comparison to single and double-pane windows. As a result, triple-pane windows reduce energy use and costs. This is beneficial for older homes and buildings, as they tend to suffer the most from inadequate insulation and can be costly to heat and to cool.

Argon and Krypton

• Krypton and argon are colorless, odorless and non-toxic inert gases used to improve the thermal efficiency of windows, enabling them to reduce energy loss. The gases are injected between the space cavities behind the three window panes. The space between the panes typically ranges from1/4 inch to 1/2 inch. The gas is injected into the space and sets up an insulation barrier to block warm air from penetrating through the glass and into the home in the summer, and blocks cold air from entering in the winter.

Comparison

• Argon is the less costly gas to use for triple-pane preservation windows. Argon can work with windows that have a gap between panes as wide as 1/2 inch. Krypton is twice as heavy as argon, which makes it more efficient at preventing heat gain and heat loss. This also makes krypton more expensive than argon. Krypton is used for preservation triple-pane windows that have gaps as small as 1/4 inch and up to 3/8 inch between the panes, so it is often chosen for triple-pane windows that have a thinner overall depth. According to Universal Industrial Gases, krypton-filled windows can cost about twice as much as argon-filled windows, at the time of publication.

Considerations

• If you are attempting to save the original window frame, you should get several estimates and work with established replacement window companies that have experience working on preservation installations. In some cases, an older wood frame may have to be replaced with a new frame due to the weight of the glass. Always ask prospective window replacement companies for references from former customers, and call the references they furnish to verify pricing, quality and the customers' satisfaction with the windows and the installation process.