Dual Pane / Double Pane Window Glass Facts

Dual pane windows, also known as double pane, insulated, or thermal pane windows, are a great investment for your home. With two panes of glass separated by a spacer filled with air, they form a barrier that blocks heat and cold from affecting your home. This results in lower energy costs and less noise, making them a smart choice for those living in busy areas. In fact, the energy savings over single pane windows can be as much as 24 percent in cold climates during the winter and 18 percent during the summer in hot climates.

What is the average cost for a double pane glass replacement?

Replacements can range between $250 and into the 1,000's. The price varies due to square footage, type of glass, thickness of glass, type of low-e, and whether the glass needs to be tempered safety glass or annealed glass.

Signs that your double pane glass needs to be replaced

Double-pane windows that show signs of condensation or discoloration between the panes are a sign that the glass needs to be replaced. This usually happens when the seal between the glass panels has failed or broken. Normal functioning dual-pane windows won't show condensation or mold, and you'll be able to see through the glass as if were one single pane while enjoying the added insulation.

How to tell if your window has single pane or double pane glass

If you’re replacing the glass in your windows and trying to figure out what you currently have, don’t worry. It’s fairly easy to tell whether your current glass is single or double pane. You may not be able to actually spot the two separate panes of glass in a dual pane (even though they’re there), but there’s a little trick to help you find out whether your windows are single or dual paned

Look to your window’s outside edge. This is where the glass meets the window frame. If you have double paned windows, you’ll notice a divider in the center of the window’s outside edges, it can be silver, grey, or black in color. Single pane windows won’t have this divider.

And if you’re still unsure, think about the age of your windows. If they were installed before 1980, they are almost definitely single paned windows.

Can you replace single pane glass in a double pane glass unit?

It's crucial to note that replacing a single pane in a double pane window is not feasible. Double-pane windows are designed to function as a single unit, with both panes of glass and the seal together to provide insulation. The inclusion of argon gas also improves their energy efficiency.

Can you put a single pane glass into a double pane window frame?

No. When you need to replace a double pane glass unit you cannot remove the glass unit and replace it with one single pane piece of glass because the frame was manufactured for the thickness of the double pane glass unit and single pane glass would not fit properly.