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!
The major disadvantage of low e glass is it is expensive as compared to normal glass. For facades, which are in direct contact with sunlight, low e glass will trap the heat radiating from objects inside, which may lead to overheating of interiors.
Low-E is a window coating that is completely transparent. It's not the same as tinted glass, which blocks out light but doesn't reduce heat transfer.
Windows Still Allow Natural Light
That means you can still get plenty of natural light in your room. Low-E glass does filter out a very small amount of visible light, but you won't notice much of a difference compared to normal windows.
Weaver said that, based on what he has been told, “the newer low-e coatings are much more durable and more securely bonded to the glass than the older-generation low-e's.” He said the sealant on the glass should last five to 10 years, and the coatings should outlast that by several years.
Low-E glass can filter 40 to 70 percent of the heat that is normally transmitted through standard window glass. It works by reflecting heat back to its source.
The Low-E coating is a one-time coating that is applied evenly to the entire surface of the glass. While most people think the coating makes the glass much more expensive, the truth is the initial cost of this additional coating is typically just a couple more dollars than regular glass windows.
Low-e storm doors can be a simple way to increase the energy efficiency of your entry door. This makes sense because low-e stands for low emissivity, and involves using a thin, invisible coating that minimizes the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light that come through the glass.
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.
Double glazing has been found to be more effective than low-E glass in areas where extremes of both heat and cold exist because it reduces heat transfer from both within and without. When heating the house during the colder months, double glazing helps prevent heat from escaping the house.
Low-e windows do limit the visual quality of the window slightly. When compared to a clear window close up, it is difficult to see a difference. But when the windows are viewed from farther back in sunlight, the low-e coated window has a slight grayish tint.
By the late 80s, window manufacturers began to use low-emissivity (low-e) glass containing a metal oxide layer that permitted visible light to pass through and also prevent heat from seeping outward. This glass was actually made with several thin layers of gold that created a green tinge.
A low-e window glass price will generally be around $14 per square foot. Additionally, in the long run, low-e coatings will help you save money on energy bills.
The effectiveness of low-e glass is dependent on the direction the coating is facing. For single pane windows it is recommended the low-e coating is always placed on the inside facing surface. Low-e coatings are sensitive to weather and pollutants making it difficult to clean without damaging the surface.
Low Emissivity Glass, also known as Low E glass, is glass that has a coating applied to it, making windows and doors substantially more energy efficient. Originally designed to keep in infrared light for colder climates, they're now a cost-efficient option that is effective in a variety of regions.
Building code requires that replacement windows include Low-E glass, which is very efficient at blocking solar heat and reducing damage from UV light. Unfortunately, Low-E glass provides a blue/green coloration to the glass that many homeowners find unattractive.
Cleaning Low E Glass
Consequently it is recommended that Windex® glass and surface cleaner (clear liquid) is used as this will minimise smearing. Do not use ammonia based glass cleaners or alcohol based cleaners, as these will leave smears on the glass.
Low E applied to windows helps block infrared light from penetrating the glass from the outside. In addition, Low E helps keep in your heating/cooling energy. Bottom line: they are much more energy-efficient, helping you save on heating and cooling costs and costs associated with running your heating/cooling systems.
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.
If the window contains low-e glass, one of the images will be a different color than the rest of the images. If the window does not have low-e glass, the four reflected images will be the same color.
During the 70's, multi-paned windows were introduced to the market, and they were more energy-efficient than other windows previously used. If you've got a home that was built prior to 1970 and have never had the windows replaced, your home most likely has those old energy-wasting windows with only one layer of glass.
Coated with an ultra-thin, virtually invisible layer of metal, low-e windows reflect infrared heat back into the home. This coating improves the window's insulation ability, in turn lowering your heating and cooling costs. On average, low-e storm windows can save you 10%–30% in heating and cooling costs.
Highly reflective low-emissivity or Low-E glass windows are great for the energy efficiency of your home, but they're not perfect. Low-E glass is more expensive than windows with regular glass but can help homeowners to save money on utility bills, so the investment pays off in the long run.
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.