Along with the widespread single-chamber and double-chamber double-glazed windows, there is another design of plastic double-glazed windows - three-chamber.
This is the thickest and most massive glass structure with the best energy-saving and noise-insulating characteristics and at the same time with a number of disadvantages that limit the possibilities of its use.
These products appeared on the window products market later than other double-glazed windows and occupy a relatively small segment.
What is a three-chamber double-glazed window
Like any double-glazed window, a three-chamber one is a closed glass structure made of glass of the same or different thicknesses separated by distance frames and sealed air chambers formed between these glasses - gaps filled with a special air or gas composition.
In a three-chamber double-glazed window there are 3 such chambers (4 glasses) and this is the maximum for today and in the future. If in relation to PVC windows they talk about 4, 5, 7 chambers, we are not talking about the chambers of the double-glazed window, but the profile.
Main indications for choosing a three-chamber double-glazed window:
- harsh climatic conditions, increased requirements for thermal insulation;
- living in an area of high noise and the need for reliable protection against it.
Three-chamber PVC windows
Any manufacturer of double-glazed windows offers them as elements of window structures. This means that the performance of the window as a whole is affected not only by the double-glazed window itself, but also by other components, including the profile. For example, KBE windows have one of the best profiles, and this allows you to make the entire window structure more holistic and upscale.
Which, in turn, affects the technical and quality characteristics of the window product. If we talk directly about double-glazed windows, then the option with three chambers is in most cases more economical. This allows the manufacturer to offer plastic windows at a lower cost than with a five-chamber double-glazed window.
In most regions of our country, the three-chamber option is also acceptable from a practical point of view. After all, it provides sufficient protection. A window with such a double-glazed window helps keep you warm, even at low temperatures in winter, and cool when it’s really hot outside. In terms of price-quality ratio, the three-chamber option is considered one of the best. These are the types of double-glazed windows that most window companies offer, as they are in greatest demand among consumers.
Additional camera: pros and cons
In the central zone of the Russian Federation, such double-glazed windows are not particularly in demand, they are rarely used, and their mass production has not been established. There is practically no information about the test results of such double-glazed windows with specific figures, but some of their characteristics are undeniable.
When comparing the heat transfer resistance of double-glazed windows with different numbers of chambers, the figures show that each additional chamber increases this coefficient by approximately one and a half times.
That is, a three-chamber double-glazed window is definitely warmer, for it this coefficient is at least 0.65 m2*⁰С/W, and with an increase in the thickness of the glass, the width of the chambers, and the installation of energy-saving glass filled with inert gas, it can approach unity (0.96).
It should be taken into account that it is more rational to increase the heat-saving characteristics of a double-glazed window by installing low-emissivity glass and filling, rather than by increasing the number of chambers when using conventional air-filled glass.
The noise-absorbing characteristics of double-glazed windows are also directly proportional to the number of chambers. But, according to reviews from a few users of windows with three-chamber double-glazed windows, they better block high-frequency noise, but still let train noise through.
Three-chamber double-glazed windows transmit light much worse, so they are good for the Arctic, where the climate is harsh and the level of natural light is still low, so the discomfort associated with the low light transmittance of such windows is almost imperceptible.
If the price of double-chamber and single-chamber double-glazed windows does not differ too dramatically, then three-chamber double-glazed windows are significantly more expensive (compared to double-chamber ones - about 50%). This is due not so much to the increased consumption of materials, but to the complication of technology, the use of exclusive equipment, and small-scale production - piece goods are always more expensive.
Such a double-glazed window requires a reinforced profile, the most durable fittings, transportation costs increase, glazing technology becomes more complicated, and the requirements for the qualifications of installers increase.
Three-chamber double-glazed windows are preferable for solid glazing; the load on the opening sash and fittings is too high.
It is necessary to use frequent window frames to increase the rigidity of the structure, and this reduces the light opening of the window, which already transmits little light through 4 glasses. In short, choosing a three-chamber double-glazed window will lead to significant hassle and expense.
Results of the comparison. Which PVC windows are better?
There is no doubt that the consumer himself must decide which window design is preferable. The information received will only help him confirm his opinion or make a new choice. In addition, it is worth noting the fact that specific design solutions influence the technical and quality indicators of windows. Some three-chamber double-glazed windows can have much higher performance than five-chamber double-glazed windows. Much depends on the manufacturer, the technologies, solutions, materials, etc. they use.
As a result, economical and practical plastic windows with three chambers are popular with most consumers. Three-chamber double-glazed windows are used mainly in city apartments and offices, and any other buildings. Five-chamber variations are more suitable as exclusive solutions, as well as where the highest heat and sound insulation, protection from drafts and gusts of wind are required.
They are also used at facilities that require high levels of burglary protection. A five-chamber double-glazed window, especially one reinforced with special coatings, is difficult to knock out or pierce with a bullet. It is preferable as an element of window structures used to protect against penetration into the room.
The WINDOWS MEDIA portal recommends: Which window profile to choose – 60 or 70 mm?
Triple glazed windows
The concepts of “three-chamber double-glazed window” and “triple glazing” are often confused. Triple glazing is called glazing, which uses 3 glasses, and in a three-chamber package there are 4 of them. There are several possibilities for triple glazing a window:
- Installing a double-glazed window consisting of three glasses is the most common, simple and rational option with the best price.
- Install a single-chamber double-glazed window (2 glasses) plus a single glass. In this case, a special two-frame design is needed, where a double-glazed window is installed in the inner frame (profile), and single glass is installed in the outer frame. This technology is used mainly in wooden and wood-aluminum euro-windows.
Five-chamber plastic windows
Of course, there are always buyers who need exclusive solutions. They are willing to pay enough price to get excellent window designs. What kind of plastic windows is the manufacturer ready to offer to such a customer? Respectable houses, respectable offices and other buildings and premises always require decent design.
This also applies to windows. A five-chamber double-glazed window will not be out of place in this case, as it will provide unsurpassed protection from external natural influences. In addition, thanks to the highest heat and sound insulation, windows with five chambers can be used in noisy areas of the city, at industrial facilities, etc. Wherever it is necessary to protect the person in the room from low temperatures and excessive noise.
Such PVC windows are quite expensive, which is why an ordinary city dweller is unlikely to want to purchase them. However, a five-chamber double-glazed window is relevant in the particularly harsh conditions of our North, with large sound and temperature loads on the window structure. It will help when the temperature outside drops to huge sub-zero levels, with constant noise and vibration.
What does a three-chamber double-glazed window look like?
In cross-section, a three-chamber double-glazed window is a structure of four glasses separated by spacer frames and air gaps. From the outside, the amount of glass is not visible; the structure is perceived as a monolith, but inside you can see three rows of dividing frames running along the entire perimeter. The outside contour of the glass unit is covered with sealant.
Visually, a three-chamber double-glazed window differs from single- and double-chamber ones in its greater thickness, but its area is usually much smaller; if the size increases, it simply will not support its own weight.
Pros and cons of double-glazed windows
Among the main advantages of plastic windows it should be noted:
- good thermal insulation and sound insulation characteristics;
- resistance to negative atmospheric influences;
- reliability and durability;
- variety of designs;
- affordable price.
At the same time, increased thermal insulation properties are achieved through the use of seals that reduce air exchange to a minimum. And this advantage often turns into a disadvantage. There is not enough fresh air in the room, humidity and temperature rise. To avoid this, you have to open the window for ventilation and all the stored heat is lost.
Manufacturers offer for sale 3 types of plastic windows - with one-, two- and three-chamber double-glazed windows. It is recognized that for residential premises (the center of Russia, the Urals and Western Siberia) the optimal option in terms of cost and efficiency is a two-chamber design. For the Southern regions, a single-chamber unit is sufficient. And only where the air temperature can drop to -40°C is it advisable to install windows with a three-chamber package.
Double chamber
The chamber of a double-glazed window is the empty space between two adjacent glasses. Therefore, in a two-chamber design there should be 3 glasses assembled into a single sealed block, which is fixed to a plastic frame. The thickness of the glass is not a standardized value, but most often it is 4-5 mm, the average depth of the chamber is 16 mm, and the minimum allowable is 6 mm. You can easily calculate that the usual thickness of a two-chamber bag is in the range of 40-45 mm.
For the manufacture of frames, you can use a five-six-seven-chamber profile. And here we can immediately say that for central Russia there is no difference between them, not counting the cost.
Three-chamber
Installation of additional glass and increased profile width increase the total weight of the structure. Opening sashes will be heavier, which will require reinforced mounting fastening and will lead to faster wear of the elements. The consumption of materials increases, and, accordingly, the cost of finished products. In addition, installers will charge more for their work.
Single-chamber double-glazed window - for non-residential premises
A typical single-chamber double-glazed window is a pair of glasses up to 0.7 cm thick, spaced from one another at a distance of up to 1.6 cm. The product is suitable for use in a country house, in an unheated building, on a loggia, or on a terrace. Its advantages include:
- Light weight . For 1 m2 of product with a thickness of 4 mm - 20 kg. This is 50% less than 2- and 3-chamber ones.
- Light load on the profile, fasteners, supports.
- Possibility of operation on the north and west sides of buildings . The system transmits up to 85% of sunlight.
- Low cost . You can buy a 1-chamber glass bag up to 20% cheaper than a product with several chambers.
- Quick and easy installation thanks to low weight and narrow chamber.
When buying a product with one camera, consider some of its features:
- Minimum noise insulation - up to 24 dB. An apartment on a central city street cannot do without a multi-chamber window.
- Low resistance to heat transfer . A single-chamber product is not capable of retaining maximum heat in a room.
- Low wind resistance . The system is not suitable for high-rise buildings.
How much does it cost to manufacture and install three-chamber bags?
The cost of double-glazed windows will be influenced by the thickness of the material and preferences for special characteristics. You can order a package with increased heat conservation, sound insulation, especially resistant to mechanical damage or protection from sunlight.
If the prices for three-chamber packages suit you, then you won’t find better protection from wind, cold and noise. Our craftsmen will quickly manufacture and install a new package, dismantle the old one and adjust the entire system within the specified tariff. Warranty service is carried out by our specialists. We provide long warranty periods because we are confident in the reliability of our double-glazed windows.
Features and applications
Four- and five-chamber double-glazed windows allow you to maintain a comfortable internal microclimate during sudden changes and extreme minimum outside temperatures. In addition, energy efficiency allows the installation of windows of this type in modern eco-friendly buildings that use alternative energy sources for heating.
Recently, I began to practice the installation of reinforced solutions in homes and commercial buildings in the southern regions. Thanks to the tightness of the structure and its inherent high light transmittance, under certain conditions it is possible to completely abandon heating systems.
Possible modifications
Typically, double-glazed windows that include more than two chambers with inert gas are not equipped with barrier systems. But the profile’s capabilities allow you to make not only blind windows, but also opening modules.
As for color solutions, the dye is added to polyvinyl chloride at the stage of manufacturing the window profile, so the paint does not fade over time, and you can choose a solution that matches the architectural design of the developer.
To select double-glazed windows for a home, industrial or office building, contact the manager.
Double-glazed windows are a popular inexpensive solution
This is a three-glass system with a pair of cameras. Depending on the requirements for noise and thermal insulation, the distance between adjacent glasses varies. The solution is optimal for heated facilities, private houses, apartments, institutions. Its advantages include:
- Low thermal conductivity . Reliable cold protection and thermal insulation reduce heating costs.
- Noise insulation from 29 dB with outer glass 0.4 cm thick. It is enough for a comfortable stay in a room with closed windows. With glass 0.6 cm thick, noise insulation is twice as high.
- The level of translucency is 77%. There is always enough natural light in the room.
When ordering 2-chamber double-glazed windows, consider the following features:
- The weight is 1.5-2 times more than that of single-chamber ones. Therefore, the window requires more reliable fittings, the frame must be more durable.
- Impossibility of installation in buildings with thin walls - such double-glazed windows are too thick.
- Transparency is up to 12% less in comparison with 1-chamber ones.
- The cost is up to 15% higher than standard single-chamber ones.
You can fill double-glazed windows with a pair of chambers with emissive or thicker glass to increase the sound and heat insulation of the system and make it energy efficient.
