Thoughts on Low-E coatings on windows?
Yolanda
15 days ago
last modified: 15 days ago
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oberon476
15 days agolast modified: 15 days agomillworkman
14 days agoRelated Discussions
Difference between low-E low-E4, SunCoat low-E
Comments (3)There are basically five types of LowE coatings currently on the market. Three are "sputter" or softcoats and two are "pyrolytic" or hardcoats. Of the three softcoat products, basic LowE would be considered a high solar heat gain product. LowE2 would be considered a low solar heat gain product, and LowE3 would be considered an even lower solar heat gain product. Andersen's LoE4 has a standard LowE2 coating between the lites and argon gas for energy performance, but it also includes a titanium dioxide coating on the exterior of the window that makes the glass "self-cleaning". Although some folks might cringe at the term self-cleaning, the coating does work quite nicely and you will notice a difference in how they look and in how often you will have to clean the glass. Finally, the "4th" feature of the LoE4 is a plastic film that is applied to the glass in the factory that protects it from dirt and debris and even minor scratches during shipping and handling and install. Andersen's SunII glass is a tinted LowE2 that has very nice solar heat gain blocking ability and also it is nice because it cuts down on glare as well. Milgard's SunCoat is a standard LowE2 product - much the same as the LowE2 that Andersen offers as their standard. SunCoatMax is a LowE3 product. The LowE3 product is very new and has only been around for maybe 3 or 4 months - this doesn't mean avoid it because it is new - it means that it is an advancement of a proven technology and it works really well. LowE3 has the same heat blocking ability as a tinted LowE2 (such as SunII), but with visible light transmittance very similar to a standard LowE2 product - without tint. In the case of a west-facing door that has both heat and glare issues, then you may prefer a tinted LowE but with the understanding that the view thru the door will be less. SunII has either 38% or 40% visible light transmittance (I forget which version they use) and SunCoatMax has 66% visible light transmittance - again with very comparable solar heat blocking capability. Standard LowE2 (including SunCoat) has about a 70-72% visible light transmittance. Standard LowE has about a 78% visible light transmittance, but it also passes significant solar heat which is an advantage in places other than where you live. I didn't mention anything about hardcoat coatings because none of the products you mentioned use them. Also, they are much less appropriate in your environment (primarily cooling) than are sputter coats. No LowE coating has an affect on sound propagation thru the glass....See MoreWindow World, argon & low-E windows?
Comments (21)earthwormies, Heat enters and leaves thru your windows in three different ways - conduction, radiation, and convection. When dealing with west-facing windows that are cooking you when the sun is shining on them your primary concern is radiation. You need to block the direct solar gain. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient or SHGC represents the percentage of solar heat that is directly passed (radiated) thru your window when the sun is shining directly on it. The lower the number the less direct solar heat gain. In your case you need a very low SHGC number. When the windows arrived they should have had an NFRC tag on the glass that listed the SHGC (as well as U-value and other ratings). Do you still have the tags or did anyone note what the ratings were? Using argon, or krypton, or any other gas between the two lites of glass does nothing to block solar heat gain; you need a low solar heat gain LowE coating to block radiant heat. I am very curious about Window World's claim that they couldn't gas-fill one window because it was too big? How big is that window? Do you know if your windows were manufactured using LowE glass?...See MoreIndoor Plants and Low-e/SunCoat Tinted Windows
Comments (1)SunCoat max (i.e. Cardinal Low-e 366) will cut down on the SHGC to the extent that it will certainly impact any passive solar heating ability of the sun. If you rely on passive solar, you need to re-examine your choices. Where is the home located? Read the article linked below.... Here is a link that might be useful: Zero Energy Article...See Morehigh SHGC values in CGI windows with low-e coating
Comments (3)These are NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) stickers. I believe the window has to be tested to carry a lower than default value. I think the SHGC of .55 is a default value so the other products with the lower number have been tested and the .55 products or sizes have not. Oberon would probably be able to answer this better....See MoreWindows on Washington Ltd
14 days agoWilliam Rossman
14 days agochispa
14 days agoBeverlyFLADeziner
14 days agochloebud
14 days agoYolanda
13 days agoYolanda
13 days agoShadyWillowFarm
13 days agooberon476
13 days agojane__ny
13 days ago
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