If your house faces east there may be times when you wake up in the morning, walk into your living room, and wish you were wearing sunglasses because it is so bright.
Either that, or you stub your toe on a piece of furniture because your window blinds have blocked out all of the bright light. What if your house had windows like sunglasses? Low-Emissivity glass windows are just like having sunglasses for your house that filter the brightness of the light.
Low-Emissivity glass, commonly called low-E glass, is a type of reflective glass that is gaining in popularity, especially in residential and office applications. Windows with low-E coatings resist ultraviolet light. Low-E coatings are very thin metallic coatings that reduce visible light transmission by about 10 percent compared to uncoated glass. They are applied using either the vacuum (sputter) or pyrolytic process.
Because it resists ultraviolet light, low-E glass prevents sunlight exposure from damaging carpets, draperies, sofas and other furnishings. Plus, low-E glass reduces sunlight glare in a room. Most importantly, low-E windows reduce energy costs by helping to control the climate in the house.
Low-E glass allows sunlight into a room without letting heat inside. In the summer this keeps rooms cool and lowers air conditioning costs. In warmer southern areas, low-E coatings are usually applied to bronze, green or gray tinted glass. The coatings reduce glare and reflect the sun’s heat away from the structure.
If you're ready to replace your windows with new low-E glass windows, consult with your local Glass Doctor® professional to find the best solution for your home.