Of all the features in a new window, one of the things you might not have thought about is the kind of gas that is used between the glass window panes. Windows can have krypton or argon gas, which is more dense than oxygen. It helps provide additional insulation for your windows, with each type of gas having advantages and disadvantages. By understanding how these two gases are different, you can select the type that is best for your home.
Argon Gas
You’ll find that argon gas is commonly used to insulate windows. That is because the gas is fairly inexpensive, and costs the manufacturer not much more than if the gap between the glass panes was filled with air. It makes argon gas …show more content…
This does not pose a health risk, since argon gas is safe if breathed in, but the window will lose the additional insulation the gas provides over time. The gas can be refilled in the window, but it negates the point of selecting the window that uses the cheaper gas to insulate.
Krypton Gas
Krypton gas is much better at providing insulation because it is more dense than air or argon gas. This helps you reduce your home’s energy bills over time. Krypton gas will also leak, but at a much slower rate. You’ll need to have krypton gas refilled in a window much less than what you would need to do with argon gas. Krypton gas also provides better sound insulation, which is great for homeowners that live near noisy airports, freeways, and train tracks.
Since krypton gas is difficult to make, the gas will be more expensive compared to argon gas. Krpyon gas will also work better in windows that have 3 panes of glass since the gaps between the panes is smaller. A triple pane window will also cost more than a double pane window, simply because it uses more glass and has a more complicated manufacturing process. The higher cost is offset by the better insulation and not needing to refill the gas as