what does low e mean in glass

What is low E glass and why is it important?

Low-E Glass Blocks Most U.V. Rays. Because it resists ultraviolet light, low-E glass prevents sunlight exposure from damaging carpets, draperies, sofas and other furnishings. Plus, low-E glass reduces sunlight glare in a room.The coatings reduce glare and reflect the sun's heat away from the structure.

Is low E glass worth it?

Low-e glass options are definitely worth the investment. For just a few more dollars than standard glass, you get the energy savings, improved year-round comfort, and protection from low-e glass. And that little extra cost can pay for itself with the money you’ll save on utility bills!Dec 28, 2016.

Is low E glass good?

When the sun hits the windows, less of the heat will transfer into the room. This benefit of low glass is especially beneficial in the summer. However, in the winter, low e glass will again reflect heat, and any heat you are hoping to get from the environment is lost.

How does low-E Glass Works?

Low E glass works by reflecting heat back to its source . It does this by utilizing an ultra thin metallic coating on or in the glass. Among other things, sunlight contains visible light, UV light, and infrared (IR) light. Visible light enables us to see things.

Is it worth getting Low-E glass?

Absolutely! Low-e glass options are definitely worth the investment. For just a few more dollars than standard glass, you get the energy savings and protection from low-e glass. And that little extra cost can pay for itself with the money you'll save on utility bills!

Does Low-E glass look darker?

Low E glass is slightly darker than clear glass, but not by much.

Does Low-E glass reduce light?

Low-E, or low-emissivity, glass was created to minimize the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light that comes through your glass, without minimizing the amount of light that enters your home. Low-E glass windows have a microscopically thin coating that is transparent and reflects heat.

What does Low-E mean?

Low EmissivityLow E means 'Low Emissivity' – emissivity is defined as the amount of radiation emitted or absorbed from a surface. The main difference between a Low E glass and an ordinary glass is that Low E glass has a very thin coating applied to one side of the glass.

How much more expensive is Low-E glass?

Low-e window film can be installed in most commercial spaces for between $5 and $8 per square foot. Some recently introduced high visible light transmission low-e films (70% visible transmission) are more expensive, with installed costs of $12 to $15 per square foot.

Do Low-E windows cost more?

Low-E coatings add up to 10% to the price of a window. If your windows are in relatively good shape but you'd like better insulation, you can buy and apply Low-E films to your windows. They're effective, but not as much as those put between glazing layers during manufacturing.

What are the disadvantages of Low-E glass?

DISADVANTAGES OF LOW E GLASS: IT'S MORE EXPENSIVE None of us like shelling out more than we have to – especially when there are cheaper alternatives out there. A soft-coat low E glass unit is generally more expensive to purchase for your windows than an uncoated standard toughened glass unit.

Which is better Low-E or double pane?

That's why we often say that Low-E glass options help to keep homes “cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.” We should note here that Low-E glass is only one element of an energy-efficient window or glass door. Double-pane glass is much more insulating than single-pane; triple-pane is even better.

Does Low-E glass scratch easily?

Why is that? The coating is actually very difficult to scratch and is harder than the glass. For example, if you scratch the coating with a coin, it is the metal from the coin you see deposited on the glass surface itself rather than a scratch.

Is double glazing better than Low-E glass?

Compared to low e glass windows, double glazed windows allow 47% more solar heat gain. Needless to say, during the Winter chilly months, every little ounce of heat helps.

Does Low-E glass help in winter?

Low-E windows, due to their coating, are more insulative than standard non-coated glass, because it helps reflect heat back into the home in the colder winter months and reflect heat to the outside in the hotter summer months.

What is the most energy efficient glass?

Energy-Efficient Glass With dual-pane or triple-pane glass, inert argon gas can be used between panes of glass to improve insulating properties. Laminated, tempered, tinted and obscure insulating glass can also add ultraviolet protection to help keep your home more comfortable and energy efficient.

What does low-e coating do?

Low-E coatings have been developed to minimize the amount of ultraviolet and infrared light that can pass through glass without compromising the amount of visible light that is transmitted. When heat or light energy is absorbed by glass, it is either shifted away by moving air or re-radiated by the glass surface.

Are low-e Argon windows worth it?

Glass Reduces Utility Bills Low-E windows reduce infrared light from the outside, but they also prevent heat transfer from the inside. They'll keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. You'll be more comfortable and save money on your energy bills in the process.

What is low-e coating made of?

The low-e coating is comprised of microscopically thin chemical layers organized in a stack. Among these tiny components are microscopic layers of silver and dielectric (ceramic) materials, which contribute significantly to the performance properties of the coating.

What is Low-E Glass?

The “E” in low-E glass stands for emissivity, or the amount of energy radiated from a surface. Emissivity is measured from 0 to 1, with 0 being a reflective mirror and 1 being a fully blacked-out surface.

Why is low E glass so popular?

Low-E glass is becoming a more popular choice among windows and doors because it offers energy-saving structures without sacrificing quality or clarity. But is low-E worth it, and should you use it for your business?

How much energy loss occurs through windows?

Did you know that up to 70% of energy loss in buildings occurs via windows and doors—and that most of it happens through the glass? Whenever you’re considering installing new windows or doors in your commercial space, there is a lot more to think about than just aesthetics. The types of materials you choose can have a significant impact on the efficiency of your windows and doors.

What are the disadvantages of low E glass?

The most significant disadvantage to low-E glass is its upfront cost. Because there are more steps and materials in the manufacturing process, low-E glass costs more to produce.

Does low E glass radiate heat?

In other words, low-E glass radiates less energy, allowing it to transmit less heat.

Why do you need to install double glazing?

Double glazing cleans like ordinary glass because the coating is enclosed within the unit. Double glazed units do need to be installed a certain way to support their performance, your window installer or glazier should ensure this when building your windows.

Why is coating glass important?

Coated glass helps provide a more comfortable temperature in a room, more window area can be used as an added bonus, and heating and cooling costs are reduced. Combining better insulated products into our homes makes sense and contributes to reducing greenhouse emissions. There are two types of Low E coatings - Hard Coat Low E and Soft Coat Low E.

What is low E glass?

Low E means ‘Low Emissivity’ – emissivity is defined as the amount of radiation emitted or absorbed from a surface. The main difference between a Low E glass and an ordinary glass is that Low E glass has a very thin coating applied to one side of the glass. This enables a reduction in the transport of heat or cold through the glass.

Why is glass important in a home?

Not only for performance, but also for your lifestyle and maintenance habits. Glass gives you the opportunity to get much more out of your home than you may think – so make glass choice a priority alongside your colours, appliances and design finishes.

Is glass a piece of glass?

You may think a piece of glass is just a piece of glass, but glass has evolved to be so much more than something that keeps the rain out. People often look through glass rather than at it, and don’t offer it too much consideration.

Does glass clean without coating?

The glass does not clean like ordinary standard glass without a coating, we have cleaning instructions on our website with more information.

How Can I Tell If My Windows Have Low-E Glass?

Low-e coatings aren’t always visible, if you suspect that your windows have Low-E Glass, a good way to tell is by holding a lit match or a pen up to the window’s reflection. Follow the steps below from Geo Shield↗ to test for Low-E coating in a double-pane window:

Who Makes Low-E Glass?

The biggest manufacturer of Low-E glass is Cardinal Glass Industries, in fact, Cardinal provides glass for most window companies. Cardinal makes insulated, coated (Low-E), laminated, tempered, and float glass. Its Low-E options include the following:

What is the ability of a material to emit energy as thermal radiation?

Emissivity is the ability of a material to emit energy as thermal radiation.

What is solar control coating?

Solar Control Low-E Coatings, otherwise known as a soft-coat, are made using the magnetron sputtering method. In this process, glass is placed in a vacuum chamber and alternating layers of silver and antireflective properties are applied. The soft-coat has lower emissivity and superior solar control performance while delivering the highest performing solar control.

Why are low E windows important?

Understanding your climate is an important factor when considering Low-E coatings. Manufacturers offer a variety of options because Low-E windows are designed to be effective in specific climates. Low-e windows are made for high, medium, and low solar heat gains.

Why is it important to reflect heat back to the side?

2 - Reflects the temperature back to the side it originated on. Reflecting heat or cold back inside the house improves energy efficiency and lowers energy bills. Additionally, it helps keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

Which is more expensive, clear glass or low E glass?

1- Glass with Low-E coatings is more expensive than clear glass. The advantages of Low-E glass come at a higher initial cost but may result in more savings and comfort over time.

What does it mean when a window is low E?

Just keep in mind that when someone says a window is Low-E, they mean that the glass in the window is good at reflecting heat. To see how well a window does this, check the ratings. At Glass-Rite we’re proud to display our ratings and values of our windows because the efficiency of our product is hard to beat! The best way to compare different Low-E glasses is to look at their U-Value and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient numbers. Check out our posting about why you should check NFRC labels to better understand what those numbers really mean!

What is low E coating?

All surfaces reflect, absorb, and transmit heat. So, a Low-E coating reduces the amount of that heat transfer. When talking about replacement windows the term Low-E really applies to the glass being used. Low-E glass is made by applying a thin coat of metallic particles to the glass. The most efficient type of Low-E coating is called ...

How is low E glass made?

Low-E glass is made by applying a thin coat of metallic particles to the glass. The most efficient type of Low-E coating is called a “soft coat low-e”. With the soft coat type, the metal is applied to the glass in a vacuum chamber so that an even and consistent coating is achieved. In that type of construction the coated face of the glass is on the inside of a double-pane unit. This way the coating cannot be touched or scratched in any way. The Low-E coating has been made not only to reduce heat transfer, but to also stop UV radiation waves while still letting in visible light.

Why is low E coating used?

The Low-E coating has been made not only to reduce heat transfer, but to also stop UV radiation waves while still letting in visible light. All Low-E coatings are not the same! Even within the last few years there have been advancements and improvements to the coatings and the processes.

What is low E window?

“Low-E” literally means low emissivity, which in turn means a surface that emits low levels of radiant heat. All surfaces reflect, absorb, and transmit heat. So, a Low-E coating reduces the amount of that heat transfer. When talking about replacement windows the term Low-E really applies to the glass being used.

Is tinted glass darker than smaller windows?

Tinted glass can also appear to be different colors depending on the size of the window. You use thicker glass on larger units, so they would appear darker than smaller windows next to them. Since Low-E is a coating that is applied to the glass, the appearance will not vary from window to window. Just keep in mind that when someone says ...

Is low E the same as tinted glass?

Low-E is not the same as tinted glass. Tinted glass blocks only the light that you see, but not the heat or UV waves. Tinted glass has a tendency to get very hot so be careful about where and why you would want it. Tinted glass can also appear to be different colors depending on the size of the window.

What is Low-E?

A low emissivity (Low-E) coating is a microscopically thin metallic layer. When applied to a glass lite, it can enhance the window’s thermal performance through filtering different solar energies on the solar energy spectrum.

How Does Low-E Glass Benefit Homeowners?

Low-E glass packages for northern climates are designed to allow thermal energy into the home , correlating with lower heating bills. Low-E glass packages in southern climates are designed to do the opposite, reflecting thermal energy away from the home, resulting in reduced air conditioning costs. The effects of the two different glass packages can be seen in Vitro’s “How does Low-E Glass Work?” video using the Crookes Radiometer experiment.

What is solar control low E coating?

Solar Control Low-E Coatings (Soft-Coat): Solar control Low-E coatings are manufactured using the Magnetron Sputtering Vapor Deposition (MSVD) process, which means the coating is applied off-line to pre-cut glass in a vacuum chamber at room temperature. This coating, which is also referred to as “soft-coat,” needs to be sealed in an insulated glass (IG) or laminated unit. The soft-coat has lower emissivity and superior solar control performance. This coating offers the highest performing solar control.

What is passive low E coating?

Passive Low-E Coatings (Hard-Coat): The passive Low-E coatings are manufactured using the pyrolytic process, which creates a pyrolytic coating. The coating is then applied to the glass ribbon while it is being produced on the float line, which causes the coating to “fuse” to the hot glass surface. This fusion creates a strong bond, or “hard-coat,” that is very durable.

What is the best low E glass?

Are you unsure which type of Low-E glass is best for you? Before you decide, it is important to consider your area’s climate: 1 If you live in an extremely cold climate, the hard-coat Low-E glass may be an option for you, because it allows some of the sun’s short-wave infrared energy to pass through the glass. This helps to heat your home in the winter and allows the glass to reflect the interior long-wave heat energy back inside. 2 However, if you live in a cold to hot climate, which covers nearly all of the United States, the soft-coat Low-E glass is best, since it offers better UV protection and has a better overall U-value. The soft-coat Low-E coating also reflects the warm and cool air back into your room instead of allowing it to leak outside.

What is the SHGC in glass?

According to the Vitro (formerly PPG) Glass Education Center, there are several factors used to measure the effectiveness of glass with Low-E coatings: Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): This is the fraction of incident solar radiation that is admitted through the window. This can be either directly transmitted and absorbed or radiated inward.

What is the role of low E coatings in window design?

Low-E coatings play a pivotal role in the performance of your windows, can save you money on energy costs and can drastically reduce fading to furniture and décor by blocking UV rays.

Why is low E glass used in winter?

If you live in an extremely cold climate, the hard-coat Low-E glass may be an option for you, because it allows some of the sun’s short-wave infrared energy to pass through the glass. This helps to heat your home in the winter and allows the glass to reflect the interior long-wave heat energy back inside. However, if you live in a cold ...

What percentage of energy loss is in windows?

When it comes to windows, the type of glass you choose is a critical consideration. Experts estimate that 70 percent of energy loss occurs in windows and doors, and that 90 percent of window heat loss occurs through the glass.

What does the U factor mean in a window?

U-Factor Values represent how well a window prevents heat from escaping a building (a lower u-factor indicates the glass is better at keeping heat in).

What are low E replacement windows?

Homeowners have a lot to consider when choosing new low-e replacement windows for their home. The most crucial consideration is choosing the right windows for your climate, depending on whether you're most concerned about keeping your home cool during warm weather, or keeping it warm in the winter. The right combination of windows, when installed correctly, can do both.#N#While glass with a passive low-e coating is great for northern homes, and solar control low-e windows are great for hot southern locations, there's still a lot of grey area in which it can be challenging to choose. In these cases, it's helpful to have a knowledgeable glass professional to help guide you through the selection process. It's also important to know some of the terminology that manufacturers often use to grade their low-e windows:

What is the bond between metal and glass?

This causes the metal to essentially become welded to the glass, creating a very strong (i.e. "hard") bond.

What are the two types of low E glass?

Still, with all the possible combinations, there are two basic types of low-e glass coatings: passive low-e coatings, and solar control low-e coatings. There's a crucial difference between the two.

What type of energy has a long wavelength?

You see, different types of energy have different wavelengths. Infrared, for example, has a long wavelength, while the visible light spectrum has a relatively short wavelength. Different metals will "filter out" different wavelengths, so by adding thin layers of various metals onto the surface of the glass, it's possible to choose what types of energy get through.

How is low E glass made?

Soft coat low-e glass is made through a process known as Magnetron Sputter Vacuum Deposition (MSVD). That's a complicated way of saying that with this method, the particles that make up the metal layer are applied to pre-cut sheets of glass, at room temperature. This is done in a vacuum-sealed chamber filled with an electrically-charged inert gas. The resulting metal coating is extremely thin and somewhat delicate (i.e. "soft").

What is low E glass?

What Is Low-E Glass? From the beginning: the "E" is for emissivity. When heat or light energy is absorbed by a surface, such as glass, it's either reflected off the surface, or radiated through the surface. A material's ability to radiate energy is known as emissivity.

What does E stand for in glass?

First, the “E,” which stands for emissivity. Emissivity is a measure of how much thermal energy (such as sunlight or indoor heat) is absorbed by or reflected away from a material. In the case of ordinary clear glass, emissivity is pretty high: The glass absorbs heat from the sun and transfers that heat through to the other side of the glass. ...

What is turtle glass?

Turtle Glassreduces glare and is tinted to allow a visible light transmittance of 45% or less from inside a home. Ideal for use in all coastal climates, turtle glass can be mandated by local building codes, especially for beachfront homes, because it helps prevent hatchling sea turtles, which navigate based on moonlight, from moving inland toward manmade light sources.

What is the best glass for hotter climates?

A great choice for hotter, sunnier climates, SunResist features advanced, triple-coated glass that is suitable for all climates and blocks more than 90% of UV rays, a greater percentage than other Low-E glass options.

How does low E glass work?

Low-E or “low-emissivity” glass is achieved by applying one or more extremely thin layers of metallic particles to the glass, allowing it to act like a sieve: Long wavelengths, or heat, are filtered out, while short wavelengths (the visible light spectrum) are allowed to pass through. By changing the types of particles used in the layers of Low-E, ...

What is heat save?

HeatSave™ interior Low-E coatingreflects heat back into the home. It’s used in combination with other energy-efficient glasses to increase heat retention without sacrificing light transmittance. HeatSave™ helps maintain a more comfortable home in the coldest climates and at higher altitudes.

What does low E coating do?

On an exterior glass surface, a Low-E coating can reflect the heat of the summer sun or the cold of winter away from the home. On an interior surface, a Low-E coating reflects back the existing indoor temperature.

Is double pane glass better than single pane glass?

Double-pane glass is much more insulating than single-pane; triple-pane is even better. Insulation is also improved with the addition of argon or krypton gas in the sealed space between the panes of glass. Multiple glass panes allow for multiple surfaces to receive Low-E coatings, depending on performance needs.

What Is Low-E Glass?

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