How Low-E Glass Improves Energy Efficiency

A palnt next to a window

Were your windows recently damaged? Perhaps you’re simply ready to upgrade your old single-pane windows to something more efficient. Either way, you have many features to consider, including low-e glass. Learn more about this feature of energy efficient windows to find out why you just can’t live without it.

What is Low-E Glass?

Low-e stands for low-emissivity. This is a glass treatment comprised of a microscopically thin layer of metallic oxides. The coating is invisible to the naked eye, so low-e glass color is the same as normal glass. This means you benefit from everything low-e glass has to offer without obstructing your view of the exterior.

Low-e coatings are most often used in double-pane windows where they can be applied between the panes to ensure the best longevity. There is also something called a soft coat that can be applied to the interior of a window, as well as a hard coat, which is applied to the exterior.

How Does Low-E Glass Work?

The primary purpose of low-e glass is to control infrared light, which we perceive as heat. In other words, low-e glass is capable of reflecting heat back into your home during the winter and keeping solar heat gain at bay during the summer.

Low-e glass also reflects ultraviolet or UV rays. These light waves fall outside the visible spectrum, but they have the annoying ability to burn your skin and fade your furnishings.

Benefits of Low-E Glass: Energy Savings

Many people who replace their windows wonder: is low-e glass worth it? The answer is a resounding yes! And the biggest reason to invest in low-e glass is to save energy.

The difference in efficiency ratings between low-e vs. normal glass is so apparent that low-e windows practically come standard in new homes today. If you want your house to enjoy the same energy savings from your windows as newly built homes, you should definitely invest in low-e glass, which offers a great value and return on investment.

By blocking 96 percent of the infrared light generated by the sun’s rays, you can expect your cooling bills to drop dramatically in the summer. You also save in the winter because low-e glass reflects infrared light back into your home, acting as an extra layer of insulation to keep the windows warm.

Benefits of Low-E Glass: Protection for Your belongings

The same UV rays that make your skin burn in the sun can also fade color from your carpet, furniture, and wallpaper. Low-e glass prevents this by blocking up to 86 percent of color-fading UV rays. You’ll benefit most from the UV-reflecting properties of low-e glass if you install windows with this feature on the south and west sides of your home.

Let Glass Doctor® Install Energy Efficient Low-E Glass in Your Home

As a homeowner hoping to make a smart investment, you’re wise to consider low-e glass over normal windows. The next step is to find a qualified glass specialist to help you select the right windows for your home and perform a professional installation.

Glass Doctor is qualified to provide the window selection and replacement services you need. We can replace worn or broken windows with new, energy efficient versions that will increase your comfort level and add to your home’s value. To save you money, we even offer glass-only replacements if the frame is still in good condition. This way, you benefit from low-e glass for as little as half the replacement cost.

To learn more about low-e glass, or to find out if you’re a candidate for glass-only replacement, please contact Glass Doctor today.