How Window Glass Affects a Home’s Comfort and Efficiency

Is your furniture faded? Have you ever gotten sunburn sitting indoors in your favorite reading chair? Do you want to enjoy the warmth of the sun without being harmed by damaging UV rays?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you (and your home) would benefit from replacing your current windows with Infinity® replacement windows installed by Callen. Infinity from Marvin Fiberglass replacement windows feature Low-E (low emissive) energy-efficient glass, which helps block heat as well as damaging UV rays.

The Down-Low on Infinity® Low-E Window Glass

In order to make them as energy-efficient as possible, Infinity windows include Low-E glass manufactured with microscopic metallic coatings, allowing natural light to pass through while blocking heat and harmful UV rays, all without blocking visible light. The extremely thin coatings are applied to the inside layer of the insulating glass. The different glass options are Low E1, Low E2, Low E3 and Low E3/ERS. Infinity’s Low E3/ERS glass is the most energy-efficient glass option available because it has four layers of metallic Low-E coating.

High-performance Low E3 lass has been rated to be 70% more efficient in the summer and 45% more energy-efficient in the winter. This glass also blocks 95% of harmful UV radiation, which is what causes carpet, furniture, drapery, and artwork to fade. On occasion, UV rays can even cause a sunburn if a homeowner were to relax indoors too near an unprotected window.

Energy-Efficient Window Glass Performance

The following are three factors used to measure insulated window glass energy efficiency:

• Solar Heat Gain: The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures how much heat from the sun enters a house. The lower the number, the less heat the window lets in. While a lower SHGC is preferable if you have high cooling costs in the summer, in colder climates, a higher SHGC can help keep the home warm in the winter.
• U-Factor: This is a measurement of how well a window keeps heat inside the house. While a higher number indicates that more heat will escape, a lower number means that less heat will leak out. In a colder climate, look for a low U-factor.
• Visible Transmittance (VT): Measuring the amount of visible light that passes through window glass, a high VT maximizes daylight.

Discover What Callen Can Do for You

If you have questions about your window replacement project and would like to schedule a FREE in-home consultation, call Callen today at (414) 867-2207 or complete our online form.