When shopping for replacement windows or windows for your new home, there are a number of unique terms you should have an understanding of. For example: What is low e glass?
Low-E is a microscopically thin coating of a metallic oxide applied during the glass manufacturing process. It may be sprayed on while the glass is still hot (hard coat) or it may be applied later in an electrostatic process (soft coat). Please see our Q&A for more details later in this article. Once you understand what Low-E is and how it benefits the climate in your DFW home, it will be time to learn more about window installation companies and the brands they sell.
Aren’t All Window Vendors the Same?
Not even close! At The Window Experts, we have a 3 pronged approach to our business model. Products, Processes, and People.
Products: The Window Experts and our sister company, Houston Window Experts, have evaluated, interviewed and tested dozens of brands in a ton of different configurations and feature packs. We have arrived at what we feel provides our clients the best value and the best performance for your money.
Processes: Using sound business techniques and practices, we continuously improve and document the best methods for arriving at consistent top-quality results. Every business process: customer service, sales, procurement, installation, etc. are constantly under review.
People: We choose our employees carefully and then train them to follow procedures. We mentor every employee so that our clients always get a “can do” attitude and a smiling voice at every interaction. This includes our “No Sleazy Sales People” approach. No pressure tactics. Just honest and accurate quotations and then allow you, our client to make the decision. No high pressure.
The team at The Window Experts is what makes us a strong, competitive, and successful company. We have hundreds of reviews to back up this claim.
Low-E Coating Suggestions for the DFW Market
On average, Dallas and the Fort Worth area gets 234 sunny days per year. 20 of those days average triple-digit temperatures. You’ll need some low SHGC and U-Factor numbers on your NFRC labels. Going with Energy-Star ratings is a great start but, it might not be enough.
You’ll want to ask for a very low SHGC (solar heat gain co-efficient) which will reflect the infrared heat away from your house on hot, sunny days and reflect interior heat back into your home on cold days. The range is from 0 to 1 with low numbers being better performance. Clear single pane glass is fairly ineffective with a rating aroung 0.86. Cardinal®️ 366 LoE³, currently the most respected residential glass for new and replacement windows, is rated at 0.27…roughly 3 times as effective at blocking UV light.
Manufacturers vary in how they represent and the way they spell low e. You’ll see: low e; low-e, LoE, and Low-E. There are also branded trade names such as Solarban®️, LoE-270, LoE³, and Energy Advantage™. Most of the windows we carry at The Window Experts use Cardinal 366 LoE³ glass.
For Dallas and Fort Worth, The Window Experts always recommend opting for the lowest SHGC number available. With double pane windows there are options to have low e glass on the inner facing surface of your exterior glass pane. On triple-pane windows, 2 coated surfaces are possible for even greater infrared heat reflectance. Add argon gas for even more efficient windows.
Low-E Questions and Answers
Q: Can you see the coating? Is it noticeable on the glass?
A: Since the coatings are applied in microscopically thin layers on one or more glass surfaces in multi-paned windows, you can’t tell with the naked eye. Testing for presence and measuring effectiveness is done with a window energy profiler.
Q: How does it affect natural light?
A: Low-E coatings are used to filter out a specific frequency of light called infrared light. Visible light is allowed through. However, multi-pane windows with 2 or more Low-E coatings will modestly affect visible light. This is called the “visible transmittance” on your NFRC label.
Q: What is the difference between tinted glass and Low-E?
A: Glass tinting is a thin film applied to the glass, usually after window installation. It is meant to cut down on glare and will reduce visible light (make the room darker). It’s not a very effective method to reduce the penetration of infrared light making it an inferior energy savings tactic.
Q: How much more expensive is Low-E glass compared to regular glass?
A: Since the metallic oxide coatings on low e glass are applied during the manufacturing process, this means additional materials, equipment, and processes for the manufacturer. So, typically, it will add from 10-15% to the cost of manufacturing the glass. For the consumer, the additional charges are easily offset by energy savings.
Q: Will it increase my energy bills?
A: Just the opposite. With effective blocking of infrared heat from the sun and the general ability to reflect heat both indoor and outdoors, heating and cooling your home will require less energy.
Q: How long does a Low-E coating last?
A: Since Low-E coatings are applied to the interior surfaces of an insulated glass unit (IGU), they are protected from scratches and environmental conditions and will last the life of the windows themselves.
Q: How thick is lo e glass?
A: Low-E coatings are so microscopically thin that they do not add to the thickness of the glass. Most residential windows use 1/8 inch thick double strength glass with some larger windows requiring 3/16 inch glass.
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