snowlover, It really depends a lot on your requirements. First, a dual pane window with a LowE2 coating and argon gas will outperform energy considerations  a triple pane window made with clear glass. As a generalization, triple panes can come in two varieties  one version has a relatively narrow space between the lites  kind of like taking a dual pane and dropping another lite between the first two and the second version has a wider spacing between the lites - kind of like taking two dual panes and removing a lite from one and slapping the remaining parts together. Both work, but there are some differences worth considering. For energy performance, the narrow airspace version works best when two surfaces are LowE2 coated and krypton gas is used between the lites. Krypton gas performs at its energy-saving best in a narrow space of about 1/4" or so...which happens to be the typical space between the lites in a narrow triple pane. This configuration is very energy efficient and works really well...but the downside is that this version can be expensive. The wider triple pane version would generally have an airspace of about 7/16" between each lite plus or minus a little and again the advantage is in the LowE2 coating on two separate lites within the unit. In this case, argon gas would be the most cost effective fill  rather than krypton  because argon is cheap and plentiful and at the 7/16" spacing is almost as good as krypton in performance numbers  not quite as good  but the slight insulating advantage of krypton in this configuration doesn't offset the additional cost of krypton. The biggest disadvantage of the wider triple pane is the physical size of the IGU  or more precisely the width of the glass package. While manufacturers who use this version build their sash to accommodate the IGU width, not all companies can or will do so, so not all companies offer a triple pane package. In general, the wider version triple pane may have slightly better energy numbers than the narrower version if both use argon or even air infill between the lites. Again, in general, a triple pane will outperform a dual pane in energy considerations assuming that both units have pretty much the same bells and whistles. One interesting potential downside to the increased energy efficiency of the triple pane is the likelihood of increased EXTERIOR window condensation on cool mornings. Often, people who replace energy deficient single pane (or even clear glass dual pane) windows with more efficient LowE coated windows become concerned that their windows are having problems with exterior condensation  usually on cool mornings. This is actually quite normal and indicates that the windows are performing exactly as they are supposed to do - by increasing the energy-blocking performance of the window it is quite possible to increase the likelihood of exterior condensation. Not a problem  in the sense of a window flaw  but some people do find it objectionable. To me, this wouldnÂt be a reason to reject increased energy efficiency, but window manufacturers do receive complaints  some rather vehement  about this exact issue. Either way, a little sun-heat fixes that problem pretty quickly. Although in certain areas of the country it is actually possible to have frost or ice formation on the exterior of super-efficient windows in the winter time  which beats having it on the interior of the window I would suggest. But you were also asking about a triple pane windows increased ability to block sound over dual pane...and while some folks will suggest triple pane glass for its sound deadening ability, overall there is no difference in STC rating between triple and double pane provided that the overall airspace between the panes is constant between the two constructions. In other words, a triple pane with two 1/4" airspaces and a dual pane with a single 1/2" airspace...both using 1/8" glass...will have identical STC numbers as long as the IGU's are the same dimensions (and the other components are of equal quality). Earlier I mentioned that triple panes can come with a wider airspace or a narrower airspace. This isn't exclusive of course, but it works as a general guideline for illustration. As said if the total width of the airspace is the same between a dual pane and a triple pane then the basic sound blocking ability will be comparable. But, what happens if the dual pane has an airspace width of 7/16" (for example) and the triple pane has the wider spacing combination of two separate airspaces and BOTH are 7/16"? Well, now we are dealing with a different set of assumptions and in that scenario the triple pane will significantly outperform the dual pane because of the overall width of the airspace. The width of the airspace can be a huge determining factor in sound performance - potentially much more of a factor than an additional lite of glass. So the argument of triple versus dual relates more to the space between the glass and not the number of lites...getting more complicated, isnÂt it? Ultimately, buying a good quality unit and making sure that it is installed correctly is going to go a long way in improving both energy and sound considerations. If you would like, we can get much more in depth about this stuff...

Thanks guys for your continued input. I am making a simple turkey dinner for the family (It is Thanksgiving in this part of the continent) so can't play around with furniture arrangements until later in the week or next weekend. However, I plan to rework the furniture arrangement multiple time with my little furniture cut-outs to see what I can do in both the great room and the dining room if the window seat moves there. I will post some alternatives later this week and hope you will come back to see them when the post pops up again. Here are few replies: Oakleyok, Your idea of placing a love seat in front of the window seat had not occurred to me at all. I will try out your idea with my furniture cut-outs. I agree that we should have room for a couch facing the TV if we lose the end table. The plant idea on a window ledge is great, although I tend to send plants into palliative care quite quickly LOL. I do see the family using the window seat for reading. Given we are in Canada it is rarely too hot or too sunny near a window. Thanks again for your help. Lavender_lass, Wow that dining room bump out is so beautiful!! Sadly, we won't be able to do that at this point in construction as the brick cladding is already on the back of the house. Also, we have a climber rather close to that side of the back now that the addition is done, and I wouldn't want to reduce the passage between climber and house any more. Yet, I will draw up a window seat in the dining room as I like that look. I was going to make a shallow shelf for decorative plates in the south/west corner of the dining room (top right corner). Maybe I can make some sort of combo window seat/plate shelf. I just have to find a way to accommodate that smaller dining room window on the west side. Thanks for your help and inspiration. Rosie, I am totally with you on disliking the "turn your back on family" seating arrangements. I do think Lavender's arrangement improves upon that problem. I am not worried about anyone walking in front of the TV. We don't even have cable, so mostly use the TV for movies once in a while. The kids use the one in the basement with their X-box a bit more frequently. I will do just as your aptly described to try every possible arrangement with a variety of furniture. Maybe the TV has to move so we are facing the dining room more rather than having our backs to it. Do you think we need a new spot for the TV?? I hate to think about moving that fireplace other than scooting it back a bit as the vent is installed through bricks, but if it has to move....don't tell DH just yet. Thanks ever so much for your kind help, Rosie. Carol P.S. Please come back everyone to see the various alternatives I post by next weekend. In meantime, if you have any more ideas I am all ears.

The Bedford would work better with your space. Your space is really light all over right now, so anything you change may seem heavy or dark at first, but it really isn't. It is just a more updated look, so try to add some accessories to bring some of the darker metal to other areas so it all relates.

+1 Nothing Horrible about the Simonton window at all. Once you get into the upper end lines it tends to run a bit bulky and you could argue that the fit and finish aren't as nice as some of the other windows out there but I would never use the adjective of horrible. Foam filling, and its impact, depends on the extrusion, design, and realized U-Factor improvement. Some windows it makes no difference, others and make a great difference. Just depends on the window. You budget is a bit light if you ask me. The question I always tell folks is would you rather spend a bit more now for a great window and not have to re-do this project of go cheap now and spend again? You are dealing with that very issue right now in your current windows. The Euphoria of a "great deal" has long since worn off when you are stuck re-doing the work.