What is Quadruple Pane Window Glass?

High-performance insulated windows are expected to deliver high energy efficiency and energy savings. With so many options, it's valuable to know which types of products are available in the market. While many might be familiar with the mechanics around single-, double-, and triple-pane windows, quadruple-pane windows are largely unfamiliar. In this post, we'll focus on Quadruple pane window glass so you have a better understanding of how your options compare.

Use the links below to jump ahead in this post:

• Energy Efficient Glass Options
• Double Pane Insulated Glass
• Laminated Window Glass
• What is Quadruple Pane Window Glass?
• Who Benefits from Quad Pane Windows?
• Quad-Pane Window Glass Construction
• Do I need Quad-Pane Windows?

Energy Efficient Glass Options

When over 40% of the annual energy household budget is consumed by heating and cooling, your choice of an energy efficient window glass becomes pivotal. Choose ENERGY STAR®↗ labeled windows for twice as much efficiency and cut your heating and cooling costs.

Double Pane Insulated Glass

Double pane glass windows work by assembling a couple of layers of glazing separated by a space filled with an non-toxic and odorless gas, preferably Argon or Krypton. Moreover, Low-emissivity (Low-E) glass↗ minimizes the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light, without minimizing the amount of light entering into your home. Double Pane Extreme Low-E Glass blocks up to 80% of the sun's UV rays and provides comfort year-round. 

But what truly matters is the unique patented one-piece U-channel design↗ which creates a strong thermal barrier to reduce heat loss. The glass hosts double pane insulated glass with 2 Low-E silver oxide coatings (14 layers) which further aid energy efficiency all year long.

Laminated Window Glass

Glass is a barrier between interior and exterior. While laminated glass isn't designed for efficiency the same way an insulated glass unit like double-pane is, it still offer some energy efficiency. Laminated glass is very thick because it is made of two panes of glass with a sheet of plastic between the two panes of glass. In the manufacturing process, these three pieces are bonded together. This glass system blocks harmful UV rays, while still allowing natural light in and can help reduce outside noise.

What is Quadruple Pane Window Glass?

Quad Glazed Windows or Quadruple Glazed Windows or Quadruple Pane Window Glass (so many names for the same thing!), are similar to double-pane window glass except they have four panes of glass instead of two and three sealed airspaces for insulating gas. Why does this matter? Multiple layers of glass and gas-filled pockets create more barriers against outside temperatures.

Who Benefits from Quad-Pane Windows?

• People who live in cold climates

High-efficiency windows are particularly important in areas where the climate is more extreme. Someone who lives in a very cold climate would benefit more from quad-pane windows than someone who lives in a moderately warm climate. It has been noted that some quadruple pane window units can provide the same insulating values as a standard insulated garage door.

Quad-Pane Window Glass Unit Construction

Windows with more glass aren't perfect. Additional glass is heavier which means adjustments have to be made to the glass and window construction to accommodate the extra weight. These units have reinforce components and the inner panes are thinner than the two on the exterior.

Do I Need Quad Pane Windows?

Quadruple glaze windows are significantly more expensive than double-pane and triple-pane windows. Depending on where you live, energy savings may be worth the initial expense of the windows but for most areas it's worth considering the ROI. For example, here in North Texas, quad-glass windows generally won't provide more energy saving benefits than a double-pane window because the climate isn't challenging the window glass to perform.

Energy efficient window glass systems have major benefits for our homes and our budgets. As technology continues to evolve and the demand for energy-efficient homes grows the need for multi-pane windows like triple-glazed and quadruple-glazed windows will continue to grow. Right now, in the U.S., double-pane windows are the standard but it's possible that quad-pane windows will become more common in the future. 

Brennan

Published

September 01, 2020

Updated

July 13, 2021

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