Triple glazed PassivHaus windows and thermal comfort

The radiant interior surface temperatures play an important role in how humans perceive thermal comfort. Radiant temperature asymmetry is key i.e. surface temperatures must be close together. If a surface temperature difference exceeds 4 °C we notice it, we can feel it. So if we take a comfortable internal air temperature, in a Passive House or good standard Low Energy house, of 20 °C we can expect to find that the inner surfaces of the external walls to be at around 19 °C and the surfaces of internal partitions to be at around 21 °C.

The internal surface temperatures of double glazing vs triple glazing will be quite different.

Comparison of internal surface temperatures for double glazing vs triple glazing

External Temperature °C Internal Surface Temp Double Glazed window ° C Internal Surface Temp Triple Glazed window °C
2 16.7 18
0 16.3 17.8
-2 16.0 17.6
-5 15.4 17.3
-10 14.6 16.7


Window fitting details to reduce Cold Bridging


Passive Window


Passive Window


Passive Window


Passive Window


Passive Window


Passive Window


Passive Window


Passive Window


Passive Window


Passive Window


Passive Window