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A Beginner’s Guide to Low-E Windows
Whenever we build a new home or renovate an old house, we want to upgrade it with innovative fixtures and technologies to make our living space more beautiful and comfortable. If you are on top of such novel products, you must have heard about Low-E windows.
Here, we give you a low-down on everything you need to know about Low-E windows—their types, benefits, downsides, and the coating you need to use according to the climate.
What is a Low-E window?
Low-E windows have low-emissivity glass that reduces the amount of ultraviolet and infrared rays passing through it without minimizing the amount of light. These windows have an ultra-thin transparent coating that reflects heat and keeps your house cool.
There are two types of Low-E coatings.
- Passive Low-E coating: Also called the hard coating, it is made through a pyrolytic process. It is applied to the glass as soon as it produces on the flat line, and it merges with glass when it is hot. The entire process creates a hard coat, hence the name.
- Solar control Low-E coating: It is made through the magnetron sputtering vapor deposition (MSVD) process. The coating is applied to glass in a vacuum chamber at room temperature. Also known as a soft coat, this coating has superior solar control.
The pros and cons of using Low-E windows
Advantages
There are various benefits of using Low-E windows in your home and office building. Some of them are:
Saves energy: Low-E windows help keep your rooms warm in winter and cool during summer, reducing the energy used to manage your HVAC system. It lets natural light pass through, keeping your rooms bright and minimizing the need to turn on lights during the day.
Filters UV light: These windows prevent UV rays from entering your rooms and protect your paint upholstery and furniture from fading, maintaining their vibrance for a longer time.
Disadvantages
Greenish tint: Some people complain about a greenish tint in Low-E windows that reduces the brightness in your room. It also distorts your wall paints and floor’s color. However, you can resolve this issue by using a glass appropriate to your area’s climate.
Damage caused by reflected light: Sometimes, the reflected light may harm your patio furniture and vinyl siding if you live in areas where summer is extreme. But you can easily solve this problem by using window screens.
Climate specific Low-E coating
Frigid climate: If you live in an area where winter is harsh, you should opt for hard-coat Low-E glass as it allows the sun’s infrared energy to enter your home to warm your house in cold weather.
Hot climate: If your home is in an area that experiences long and harsh summer, opt for soft-coat Low-E glass as it will help keep your house cool by reflecting the cold air into your room instead of sending it out.
About Christopher Home Improvement
If you want to renovate your home and are looking for Low-E windows, your search ends here. We offer roof repair, home window installation and repair, room renovations, and more. You can call us at 860-381-9336 or fill our online contact form to know more or for a free estimate.
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