Whether you've had a broken window recently or you're shopping for a replacement window, you've probably heard your contractor or salesperson suggest Low-E glass. Spectrally selective low-e glass is a crucial component in improving the thermal performance in your home's windows and doors. In this post, we'll summarize the key points and why you need it in your home.
Low-E Glass Properties
Simply, Low-E (low emissivity) glass is a thin, transparent coating that reflects heat. Emissivity is the ability of a material to radiate energy. This process is done at the glass manufacturing plant, where the specially designed coating is applied to one or more surfaces of an insulated glass unit.
When heat energy is absorbed by glass, it is either shifted away by moving air or re-radiated by the glass surface. This is where low-e glass coatings come into play. Reducing the emissivity of a glass surface improves the window's total insulating properties.
Ultraviolet (UV), visible light, and infrared (IR) light all occupy different parts of the solar spectrum. Ultraviolet light causes sun damage to your interior furnishings such as drapes, wall coverings and even your wall art. Infrared light or heat energy, is transmitted as heat into a building.
Low-e coatings are proven to minimize the amount of UV and IR light that passes through glass without compromising the amount of visible light that is transmitted. This means your window works hard to keep you comfortable in your home and protects your interior, without compromising your view.
Key Advantages
- Reduced energy costs
- Improved comfort
- Advanced protection from harmful UV rays