Installing energy-efficient and insulated glass in your home will reduce your energy bill significantly. It will also help you protect your furniture, floors, paintings, and other valuable items in your home. Energy efficient windows are not created equal. Each window type has a different price, style, and function. Before you purchase and install windows on your home, you should thoroughly review your options so you can buy in confidence.
Low-E glass is a common type of energy efficient window that a person can find in almost any home-improvement store. The “E” in Low-E stands for emissivity which refers to the amount of heat the glass radiates. Low-E means low radiant energy, which also means the glass will reflect more heat that it will absorb.
People desire low-e glass in their homes because of it’s ability to insulate well. It does a good job of reflecting the sun’s heat during the summer months and keeping the cold air out during the winter months. Low-E glass is usually double-paned glass that is slightly tinted. The space between the glass is filled with a gas, such as argon, which acts as an insulator.
Glass windows covered with solar film or window tint are energy-efficient as well. Manufacturers place the tint on the interior glass to keep it from peeling or scratching. It is common to find tint on single pane windows because single-paned windows have high emissive qualities. Placing tint on a high emissive window reduces the amount of sunlight that enters into the home. It also prevents the discoloration of drapes, furniture, and wooden floor panels.
Storm windows and lead glass windows are effective insulators also. Storm windows keep excessive noise and wind out of the home while lead glass windows keep high levels of heat and sunlight out. Lead glass windows come in decorative styles but most of them are opaque or semi-clear. Storm windows are transparent but they provide little protection against furniture and floor discoloration. A person who prefers storm windows can add a layer of solar film to the glass for sunlight protection. A person who prefers lead glass can purchase triple-paned lead glass windows for maximum efficiency.
It is important to know how a window will function before you install it on your home. Double-paned insulated glass provides the best efficiency but it usually comes at a higher price. To save money, you can choose to apply solar film to your existing windows. If you need more sound protection, storm windows and triple-paned lead glass windows will help. All of these options are effective enough to provide basic energy-efficiency. The one you choose will depend on your budget, preference, and taste.
