The windows in your home do a lot more than provide you with fresh air and natural light. They can also help regulate the indoor temperature of your home and even lower your energy costs. Low E windows are an excellent means of added insulation for your home.
Ever heard of low E glass? The following article will give you some background as to why low E-coated windows are beneficial for window replacement.
Facts About Low E Windows
What Is Low E Glass?
Low Emissivity, or Low E, is a type of coating that is applied to window glass to help boost its energy efficiency. Most vinyl windows that are made today are low E glass windows. This microscopic thin transparent coating has many benefits for replacement windows.
Benefits of Low E Window Glass
- Energy Efficient: Poorly insulated windows are the cause of as much as 25% of heat loss during the winter. Low E glass windows will reduce this, which can help lower energy costs. Your heating system will not have to go into overdrive to keep your home warm on the coldest winter nights.
Moreover, low E glassworks lower heat gain during the hot months of summer, which causes less wear and tear for your air conditioning system. Your home will remain at a consistent and comfortable temperature no matter the season. In addition, you will start to notice that your energy bills are considerably lower.
- Helps Prevent Condensation: Condensation can cause damage to your windows, walls, and even your carpet and furniture if it gets out of hand. It can lead to mold and mildew growth, which can leave a lingering, unpleasant odor and cause additional problems for those with allergies, asthma, or other health conditions.
Low E coatings can help reduce the amount of condensation that forms on windows, protecting your home from harmful bacteria that result from too much humidity in the home.
- Protects your home from damage from ultra-violet light: Sunlight can cause fading on furniture, carpets, and other items that are located near the window. Low E windows work to block UV radiation from entering your home.
Types of Low E Windows
Soft Coat Low E Window Glass
This type of coating provides outstanding solar control and is ideal for those homes located in an area that experiences both hot and cold weather conditions. Soft-coated low E window glass reflects both cold and hot air away from the home. It is applied to pre-cut sections of window glass via an offline room-temperature vacuum chamber. After this process is complete, it is then sealed in an insulated glass (Ig) or laminated glass unit and installed in replacement windows.
Hard Coat Low E Window Glass
Hard coating, or pyrolytic coating, is called so because it is manufactured in extreme heat conditions. A layer of Low E indium oxide is applied during the molten phase of the window glass manufacturing. This hardens to a transparent but environmentally durable coating that is recommended for those who live in colder climates. Hard low E glass reflects long-wave heat energy from the inside while also allowing some short-wave infrared light to enter the home.
WindowTech Windows and Doors offers a wide selection of energy-efficient low E-glass windows. Call us today for a free quote for replacement windows!
