Sealed Units
Most of what you'll find out here in Calgary will be dual pane windows, usually with a metal spacer of some type. The job of the spacer is simply to provide spacing between the panes of glass...or at least that's what it was used for back in the sixties. Today, the spacer has multiple functions of providing spacing and a partial seal. The best way to go is with a synthetic spacer material made from silicon desicant...so that the window sealed unit has no metal whatsoever!
What you DON'T want...a sealed unit with a metal spacer bar...often referred to as 'thermal intercept'... basically, nothing more than 1970's technology. Metal, as you probably know, will conduct heat very rapidly so a metal spacer in the sealed unit causes heat loss at the edge of the window. The companies still using metal spacers in their sealed units are companies that know how to build much better windows but choose to build windows that have a lower price point and are usually marketed into the new construction industry or contractors.

Inert Gas Fills

Many windows built these days have inert gas fills between the panes of glass. Two things you should know: 1) They work. 2) You should always opt for them. They reduce heat transmission through the window in both summer and winter. Argon is good, krypton is even more effective. You won't find many companies in the Calgary area using krypton.
Some sealed units in windows today feature vapor barriers to help keep the inert gas fills in their place. A good sealed unit also has plenty of butyl to reinforce the spacer and butyl is the best sealing material to use for gas retention. Builder-grade windows (lesser quality) will, typically, have much less butyl because, again, the focus is on reducing cost...rather than making a seal that lasts.


Dual Pane vs. Triple Pane

With windows, two is greater than one, and three is greater than two. Obviously, if I have a dual pane window that means that I have only one air chamber between the panes to put those inert gases. In a triple pane window there are two chambers to put gases. There are also two spacers to insulate the glass. It all makes for an inside glass temperature that's much warmer in the winter so much less condensation forms on the window and more heat stays in your house. That's the whole idea. This brings up another point. If the inside glass temperature is warmer then you can, theoretically, increase the humidity level in your house without getting condensation on the inside of the window. If you can increase the humidity level in the winter then your skin doesn't feel as dry, your plants love you and you've got less static all around.
One more thing. A triple pane window cuts out about 50% of outside noise compared to a dual pane window. Got a bus route nearby?

Free Estimates by Scott McEwen  403 540-8059