What Are Low E Glass Windows

Low e glass is a new type of glass that can block heat from the outside and reduce heat loss from the inside. Low e glass windows are quickly becoming a popular choice for eco-friendly and budget-conscious homeowners who want to keep their home comfortable while reducing their energy bill. But just what is low e glass and how does it work? Read on to learn all you need to know about low e glass windows and find out if they’re a good choice for your home. 

Low E Glass Explained: What is It?

Low e glass is a special type of glass that has been coated with invisible layers of metallic oxide. This special coating allows light to pass through it—just like regular glass—but deflect UV rays and infrared light. 

Infrared light is what warms the air in your home in the summer—despite your air conditioning being on full blast! UV rays, in contrast, are the tiny waves present in sunlight, known to fade upholstery and damage building materials over time, as well as cause sunburn and increase your risk of skin cancer. For those who care about their health, their upholstery, or the energy bill, low e glass is big news, since it allows the good stuff (natural light) to enter your home, while keeping the bad stuff (infrared light and UV radiation) outside it. What’s more, by deflecting infrared light especially, low e coated windows can keep your home cool in the summer, and warm in the winter, without your HVAC system having to work overtime. 

How Do Low e Glass Windows Work?

Low e glass is made from “low emissivity” coating. What’s that? Let’s break it down: “emissivity” refers to a material’s ability to radiate something—especially light, heat, or radiation. Low emissivity means that the material emits low levels of thermal energy or heat. Low e coating—the stuff that low e glass is made with—effectively reflects both short (UV) and long-wave (infrared) rays—ensuring that the only light that passes through it is visible light. 

In this way, low e glass coated windows reflect the sun’s infrared light back outside, while it repels the heat inside the room from escaping outside it. This helps maintain the room’s temperature by blocking heat from outside the room, and increasing the room’s ability to insulate, or ‘lose the heat,’ inside it. 

What Are The Benefits of Low e Glass Windows?

Low e glass windows can be beneficial to homeowners in a variety of ways. For one, low e glass can significantly lower your energy bill, by blocking heat transfer into the building and reducing heat loss out of it. Your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature in the summertime, while your heater won’t have to work as hard in the winter. Similarly, because you’ll be using less energy to heat or cool your property, e glass is also significantly more eco-friendly, sustainable, and better for the environment long-term. 

Moreover, because e glass coating shields your home from harmful UV rays, it can preserve your furniture and upholstery, as well as safeguard your health. In fact, with e glass windows, you’ll never have to worry about getting sunburn from inside your home again. 

Low e glass is also invisible—no one will notice the difference—and durable—the coating can’t be wiped away or damaged because it’s embedded inside the glass. Finally, because many modern homeowners are interested in buying homes that are energy-efficient, e glass windows are an easy way to increase your home’s value. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Low e Glass Windows

Does It Perform Well Year Round?

Yes! In the summer, e glass windows reflect heat back outside—instead of it entering the home. In the winter, the e glass windows insulate the home, by keeping more heat inside and making your house more comfortable. 

Can It Help Lower Energy Costs?

You bet! By keeping unwanted heat outside the home in the summer, e glass windows can reduce the amount of energy it takes to cool your home. By retaining heat inside the home and keeping it from escaping, low e glass can keep it warmer in the winter and reduce the burden on your furnace. 

Are Low E Replacement Windows More Expensive?

E glass windows tend to be slightly more expensive than standard windows without low e coating. That said, because they can help your home use less energy over time, as well as protect your home from harmful UV rays, they can contribute to significant cost-savings over time. Moreover, by making it easier for your HVAC system to keep your home comfortable, they can also extend the life of your air conditioner and furnace, contributing to ever greater savings. 

Are Low E Replacement Windows Worth It?

Low e glass windows can reduce heat transfer inside your home, reduce heat loss by as much as 50%, and safeguard your furniture, upholstery, and health from harmful UV rays. While slightly more expensive in the short-term, they can contribute to significant cost-savings in the long-term. All these factors should be taken into full consideration when replacing your home windows, so it’s best to consult with a professional window supplier to consider all your options. 

Work With A Professional

Interested in learning more about the costs and benefits of low e glass windows? Curious to replace your home windows or sliding glass doors, or with those made from e glass coating? Contact Southwestern Home Products today to learn more about e glass windows and what we can do for your home!