If you are thinking of replacing your double pane glass units or upgrading the windows in your home, Low E Glass is something you should consider. Certain municipalities are now requiring that replacement windows have a Low E Glass.
There are different types of Low E Glass. The terms below describe some of the ways that the performance of the glass is measured.
Things to know about Low E:
- Low E – stands for low thermal emissivity. It refers to a surface condition that emits low levels of radiant thermal energy.
- Visible Light Transmittance – The percentage of light in the visible spectrum that is transmitted through the glass.
- U-Value – Measures the rate of heat flow through the glass, and determines how well it will conduct heat or hold in heated or cooled air. The lower the number, the slower the rate of heat flow.
- R-Value – Measures the resistance to heat gain or loss. The larger the number, the better the resistance to heat flow.
- Shading Coefficient – Measures the solar heat gain through the glass. The lower the SC, the lower the solar heat gain and the more solar energy blocked.
- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient – Refers to the solar energy transmittance of the glass unit.
