Low-E Windows vs. Clear Glass Windows: Which One to Choose?

Did you know that 25% of your energy costs can come from your windows? That's why many homeowners are starting to invest in replacing their old windows.

If you're considering replacing your windows, you may be wondering which window glass you should buy. In this blog, we'll tell you the difference between clear glass and high-performance Low-E glass!

Low E Glass

So what is "Low-E" glass?

The term "Low-E" stands for "low emissivity". It is specifically designed to reflect the heat coming into your home while still allowing light to enter. Clear glass, on the other hand, is not. Instead, it absorbs a lot of the heat from the sun and keeps it in your home, which is why your house may have trouble staying cooler.

Low-E windows are not only more financially beneficial than clear glass windows, but they also offer better returns, making them more cost effective.

You may be thinking, "Great, it insulates, but what about the cold?" Low-E glass windows do both! In fact, they're great in the heat of summer and the cold of winter. They're dedicated to keeping you comfortable in your home all year round!

Do you have plants in your home? This is one thing that some homeowners worry about when considering Low-E glass. But don't worry, as we mentioned before, Low-E glass is designed to block heat, not light.

Low E Glass

Clear Glass or Low-E?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, up to 25 percent of heating bills can come from windows. Many people see the need to replace old single-pane windows with new ones to save energy. However, storm windows placed on interior or exterior windows will produce greater energy efficiency without replacing the original windows. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises that "adding storm windows to historic windows with weather stripping can achieve essentially the same, and sometimes better, energy performance than new insulated dual pane windows."

According to the Department of Energy, low-e (short for low emissivity) windows can do the same thing, but with a tiny metal coating that reflects heat back into the house while still allowing light in. Because of this, low-e storm windows are more economically advantageous than storm clearance windows.

In a study in Chicago, clear storm windows saved about 13% of the thermal energy and low-e storm windows saved about 21%. The same study concluded that the simple payback period for clear storm windows ranged from 8.4 to 12.1 years, while the simple payback period for low-e storm windows ranged from 3.5 to 5.1 years. This suggests that low-e storm windows are more cost effective.

Low E Insulated Solar Control Glass For Office Building

Low-e windows do slightly limit the visual quality of the windows. It is difficult to see the difference when compared to a close up of a clear window. However, when the windows are viewed from a greater distance in sunlight, the Low-e coated windows have a slight gray tint. the Low-e coating also reduces the amount of visible light entering the interior space (technically known as visible light transmission).

Low-e windows work ideally in extremely hot or cold climates to maximize their insulation quality. According to the Department of Energy, there are two types of low-e windows: high solar heat gain, which maximizes solar energy in cold climates; and low solar heat gain, which blocks solar heat for cooler homes in hot climates. Because of their insulating properties, both types work well in all seasons. High solar heat gain low-e windows are suitable for cold weather, but still help keep homes cool in the summer.

We hope this blog has given you a better understanding of the difference between clear glass and high performance Low-E glass. For all your window replacement needs, please contact us .