[sccxy]

Triple pane windows are not that kind of luxury.

I live in a poor Eastern European country and this is the standard for new buildings.

[drjasonharrison]

Ah, but in North America, only double-pane windows are required. Triple-pane windows are considered necessary for noise abatement but are prohibitively expensive. There are government rebates for upgrading older homes from single to double-pane windows, but no third-pane increase in the rebate.

[freedomben]

Yes, and to give an idea I replaced some windows in my house a couple years back. The double pane windows on the north side were about $100 to $150 per, while the triple pane windows on the south side were $900. The triple pane also had higher installation labor costs. It seemed ludicrous to me that it would be so much more expensive, but after calling around, that was very typical.

[bgnn]

I got extra thick glasses (12mm thick each instead of 6mm standard) for my argon filled double pane windows in the bedroom. The noise isolation is incredbly improved. It did cost only 15% more. This is Europe again.

[ahofmann]

Here in Germany triple pane windows are very much a luxury.

[kleiba]

Nonsense, they're pretty much standard for new buildings, too.

[antisthenes]

They are the standard, because historically Eastern European winters are several times harsher than anything in USA, with the exception of a few states bordering Canada.

So the ROI is way higher.

[kleiba]

They're standard because energy is more expensive in Europe than in the US.

[shakna]

About half of the buildings in Australia still use single-pane windows.