What Are Low-E Glass Windows?

If you think about it, your windows and doors are just big holes in your house. Even though glass or wood covers these holes, hot or cold air can leak in or out of your home – that’s where Low-E glass windows come into play.

Low-E stands for low emissivity, meaning low amounts of radiant thermal energy are admitted through this window type. Although windows with Low-E glass typically cost more than the average window installation, the benefits outway the investment down the road.

At Apple Exteriors in Minnesota, we offer convenient financing options for your window installation so you can pay later at a fair price! Learn all about Low-E glass windows from our experts, then give us a call for your free estimate.

We’re happy to help you determine whether Low-E glass windows are right for your home, so let’s get started!

What’s in Low-E Glass?

By the law of nature, glass is highly emissive to the sun’s heat. Low-E glass is a thin coating of silver and other low-emissivity materials to reflect the sun’s heat away from your home.

While natural sunlight is beautiful, you don’t want too much sunlight to get in your home and impact energy efficiency. Low-E glass windows have a small coating that keeps harmless sunrays out and reflects heat so that you can save money during the summer, and because the coating is so small, it doesn’t impact how the windows look or function.

Low-E Glass Windows Keep Air In

While Low-E glass windows reflect the sun’s heat away, they will also keep warm or cool air in! The thin coating acts as a shield inside and out to keep your cool air circulating and your warm air toasty, depending on the season.

Because of this, low-E glass windows help you save on your utility bills. They make for a more insulated home that’s less impacted by outdoor temperatures. Plus, if you want to help the environment, low-E glass windows are also very environmentally friendly.

2 Types of Low-E Glass Windows

There are two types of Low-E glass windows: passive and solar. These two options are meant to cater to different climates, as some places can benefit more from heat from the sun than others.

Passive Low-E

Passive Low-E glass coating can act as a natural heat source by absorbing as much of the sun’s heat as possible. This type of coating is great for cold winter days with plenty of sun as it can reduce your dependence on artificial heating.

Solar Low-E

Solar coating is the exact opposite of passive Low-E, as it does its best to reflect the sun’s UV rays. This type of coating would work best in hot climates where you primarily need to keep your house cool for the majority of the year.

Are There Disadvantages of Low-E Glass Windows?

Despite their many benefits, Low-E glass windows have their drawbacks. Once installed, you will notice a significant reduction of natural light in your home. The light reduction may be small, like 25%, but it could get as high as 80%.

If you like a lot of natural light, have many indoor plants, or both, then Low-E glass windows may not fit your lifestyle.

Contact Apple Exteriors for Low-E Glass Window Installation

If your home has windows that let in too much air or sunlight, low-E glass windows could be your energy-efficient solution. So, if you’re considering installing Low-E glass windows, call on Apple Exteriors! We also specialize in storm damage repair for your roofing, siding, and gutters.

Schedule a free inspection or give us a call at 651-36-APPLE (651-362-7753) today.