Argon vs Air-filled windows: Why They Are Not Same
Nowadays, many windows come with gases filled inside their glasses. The most notable among them are Argon and air-filled windows. However, you may face some severe dilemmas while choosing between these two. So, you might wonder what differentiates them or which one is value for money.
Fear not, because we are here to give you a general idea about these two products. In this article, we will compare these products side by side. This should remove any doubts or misconceptions you might have regarding these two products.
Table of Contents
Comparison Table Between Argon-filled Windows and Air-filled Windows
| Topic | Argon-filled Windows | Air-filled Windows |
| Energy Consumption | Less | More |
| Thermal Insulation | More | Less |
| Moisture Content | Not present | Present |
| Possibility of Condensation | Yes | Yes |
What are Argon-filled Windows
Argon-filled windows contain argon gas in between window panes. As the thermal conductivity of argon is considerably less than air, which is around 67%, it traps the heat within the window panes.
Moreover, in the case of double-glazed and triple-glazed windows, the U-value reduces by a big margin. Also, you don’t have to consider the health hazards as Argon is not harmful to humans in any way.
Argon is also an inert gas. This keeps the effect of Argon for a long time without any possibility of a chemical reaction.
Pros-cons of Argon-filled Windows
Read More: Why Use Argon Gas In Windows: What Are The Effects Of Using Argon Gas
What are Air-filled Windows
Air-filled windows have atmospheric air inside the window panes instead of only inert gases. Air-filled windows do not have that many benefits compared to inert gas-filled windows. However, these windows have some benefits over normal windows.
Pros-cons of Air-filled Windows
Argon-filled Windows vs Air-filled Windows: Difference
Although argon-filled and air-filled windows bear a lot of similarities, they are also different in many aspects.
Firstly, as the name suggests, an argon-filled window has argon within it. Whereas, an air-filled window contains air in between the glasses.
Secondly, an argon-filled window tends to last for about 40 years, which is not the case for an air-filled window.
Thirdly, argon is incompressible. So, when it leaks, it does not expand. Rather, air from the atmosphere enters to remove the void, making the window ineffective. On the other hand, the air-filled windows have no such problems.
Fourthly, argon-filled windows can be used in both residential and commercial buildings. However, air-filled windows are mostly used in residential buildings as alternatives to argon-filled windows.
Lastly, argon-filled windows have no chance of rust formation or condensation. The primary reason for this is that argon does not contain any moisture. On the contrary, air-filled windows are susceptible to this problem due to the presence of moisture.
Argon-filled Windows vs Air-filled Windows: Similarities
Both Argon-filled and air-filled windows use the same principle. These two windows both use double or triple-glazed glasses. In between the glass panels, gases are inserted.
Moreover, these two types of windows both act as heat insulators. This saves a lot of energy over time. In addition to that, both the argon-filled windows and air-filled windows pose no harm to your health.
Furthermore, neither an air-filled window nor an argon-filled window cost a lot. You can get them for cheaper prices when you consider some other windows.
Argon-filled Windows s vs Air-filled Windows: Which One To Choose
There are a few key points you must consider before choosing between these two products. If you want to save more energy, argon-filled windows will be the best option for you. These windows can also prevent rust and fog formation, as we have mentioned previously. You will also get better thermal insulation.
However, air-filled windows come at a cheaper price. Also, these windows do not require as much maintenance as argon-filled windows.
So, considering the upsides and downsides, we think that choosing argon-filled windows would be much wiser.
Read More: Welder Life Expectancy: Probable Life Risk And Salary
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can consider these windows worth the money as these will save a lot of energy and money over a long period of time. It is also beneficial to nature and does not possess an astronomical price.
No, argon-filled windows do not fog up when the seal works properly. As argon does not contain any moisture, there is no problem with fog formation in the window. However, if the seal breaks, these windows will fog up.
Typically, an argon-filled window should last a lifetime. However, this type of window has a serious leakage problem. On average, argon-filled windows tend to last around 20 years.
Yes, triple-pane windows have argon gas between them. The windows are set up as follows: There is a glass pane between the two outer glass panels. This produces two gas chambers that have argon gases between them.
Depending on the window quality, the lifetime of gas-filled windows varies. However, a gas-filled window generally lasts for 20 years.
Verdict
As we have mentioned in this article, we think that argon-filled windows have more upsides than air-filled windows. Although it would cost a bit more to install them, we think that it is an investment for the present and the future.
We hope that this article was of help to you in making your decision.
