Installing New Windows? What to Know About Low-E Glass Coatings
Are you in the process of shopping for new windows to install for your home? If so, you may have heard about Low-E glass coatings and wondering what they are. Here are some things to know about this type of glass coating before you select the windows to have installed.
What Are Low-E Glass Coatings?
The E in the name Low-E coating stands for emissivity, which is a way of measuring how much a surface transfers heat. When you have glass without a Low-E coating, the heat passes through the window when the sun shines through. When you have glass with a Low-E coating, there is a low emissivity, which causes much of the heat to reflect off the glass and not transfer to the inside of your home.
Can You Install Low-E Glass Coating After The Windows Are Installed?
Unfortunately, it is ideal to install a Low-E glass coating as the windows are being manufactured. This is because the coating is applied to the glass on the inside of a double pane glass window. This causes the coating to be protected so it can never be removed or scratched off the surface, which helps the coating last a very long time.
Will Low-E Glass Coatings Make Your Home Colder In the Winter?
Some people have concerns about Low-E glass coatings because they are worried it is going to make their home colder during the winter since it does not let as much heat from the sun inside when you need all the warmth you can get. Thankfully, the Low-E coating actually helps insulate your home during the winter.
The heat transfer in the summer that prevents heat from getting in also applies to heat transferring out of your home in the winter. All of the heat that your furnace creates is going to stay in your home rather than transferring out of your home through the window glass.
Do Low-E Glass Coatings Look Different?
One thing to be aware of is that Low-E glass coatings are going to slightly tint your windows, which may or may not be noticeable to you. The tinting becomes more noticeable as you install a stronger Low-E coating as well. It is one of the downfalls of Low-E glass coatings, and it is something you must consider before moving forward.
Reach out to a window installation company to learn more about Low-E glass coatings.
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