Windows are about 90% glass, so no matter how carefully you choose the replacement windows for your Parker, CO home, they won’t do any good if the glass is bad. A window’s glass is a main part of its efficiency, safety and even appearance. Luckily, there are tons of different kinds of high-quality glass to choose from for your replacement windows. The best two are insulated and low-E.
Insulated glass is actually two or more panes of glass separated from the others with sealed air chambers for increased insulation. These chambers can contain air or gas, but the chambers are usually filled with gas such as:
- Argon Gas – a colorless, odorless, nontoxic and nonflammable inert gas. Heavier than air, it’s completely safe to be in your home. Argon insulates window glass by reducing heat and cold conduction between the panes, and acts as a noise depressant due to its density.
- Krypton Gas – Krypton gas is much denser than Argon gas, and shares many of the same properties. Its higher density, however, means its even more insulating and noise reducing for a tougher window or door.
Low-E glass, on the other hand, is regular glass with a special coating. This extremely thin, almost undetectable metallic coating covers this glass to serve as an extra thermal barrier that reflects temperature into your indoor space. For example, in the winter, low-E glass reflects heat back into a room, effectively keeping the room warm while reducing your energy use.
Keep an eye out for low-E or insulated glass when doing your window shopping, or look for windows by glass rating. Window glass comes with general ratings to help buyers determine efficacy, quality, and value. The following values are very important:
- R-Value – R-Value is a window or glass panels’ resistance to heat flow, or hot air getting into your home and raising your indoor temperature. A high R-Value means the window is more effective and highly insulating.
- U-Factor – U-Factor, or U-Value, is a measurement of heat flow rate through a glass pane’s glazing system. Lower U-Values mean less heat and cold get through the glass, keeping your home comfortable during winter and summer.
- SHGC – The SHGC, or Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, measures the amount of solar radiation that gets through glass. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat gets into the home. The less solar heat getting in, the less your air conditioner or heater has to work.
If you choose low-E or insulated glass, or look at the ratings carefully, you’re sure to get great glass for your replacement windows.
Do you want more assistance choosing glass for your windows? United Windows & Siding can help. We offer a range of Parker, CO replacement window services, and are happy to guide you to the best windows for your home. Pease pay us a visit at 12090 W 50th Pl Unit B Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 to see window options in person, or give us a call at 720-535-4767 for more information.
