All You Need to Know about Window Glass and Glazing

Many homeowners look into window replacements when they want to improve indoor air quality and lower energy spending inside the house. But what really makes a unit energy-efficient? In this entry, we focus on these important factors: glass and glazing.

Through the Looking Glass

Put simply, glazing refers to the glass cased within the window frame. Some traditional WestChester window designs feature single glazing, but newer models can have double or triple thicknesses. As a general rule, thicker glazing has better energy performance, but other factors (such as glass coating, which is discussed below) play significant roles too.

Two Panes Are Better Than One

In the case of double glazing (or double-pane) windows, energy efficiency relies heavily on the air space between the two panes. This space acts as an insulator that reduces solar heat gain through the unit. The two flanking panes are also sealed with glazing putty for better security and protection.

Replacement window experts Renewal by Andersen® optimizes this space to give their units the best thermal properties possible. The panes are spaced just wide enough to prevent convection and filled with an argon gas blend. Aside from being inert and totally safe, this gas has a greater insulation value.

Cover Up

Some manufacturers apply specialized coating on their units to boost performance. Renewal by Andersen, for example, uses metal oxide coatings on the exterior glass surface of their windows. They make maintaining your windows much easier—the coated glass is practically self-cleaning and reduces water spots up to 99% when activated by the sun’s rays.

Coatings can provide significant insulation, visibility, and UV protection benefits for your WestChester windows as well. You’ll want to own a unit that features low-emissivity (low-E) glass coatings. Low-E is spectrally selective, which means it can reflect back excess heat and let in maximum visible light. This highly efficient coating also protects against UV rays that can cause your interiors to fade.

Renewal by Andersen replacement windows use multiple layers of Low-E coating. They come in three different glass options:

• High-Performance™ Low-E4® glass – Standard offering. Blocks up to 83% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. Depending on your climate, it can help lower your bills by up to 25%.
• High-Performance Low-E4 SmartSun™ glass – Most efficient in cool weather. UV protection of up to 95%. Performs superbly in hot climates as well.
• High-Performance Low-E4 Sun™ glass – Highest rating against solar heat transfer in warm weather. Has a special tint coating to allow just the right amount of sunshine indoors.

Not sure which package to pick? Call Renewal by Andersen of WestChester at (866) 609-5033 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Rest assured we will help you find the best replacement windows for your home.