Energy-Efficient Window Vocabulary

New windows can be just as attractive as a beautifully landscaped yard. Sometimes consumers do not understand all the window jargon that goes along with making the best decision for your home. It can be confusing and frustrating to try and understand all the terms, but have no fear! I’m here to help! No longer do you have to be an engineer to make important decision for your updated home!

Ever see windows that are made with Low-E Glass? Low-E, or Low-emissivity, is a special glazing put on glass to control the heat transfer. The Low-E coating decreases the infrared radiation from a warm pane of glass to a cooler pane.

What’s the U-Factor of my windows? U-Factor is the rate at which a window conducts non-solar heat flow. Heat loss is one of the most important reasons to replace your windows. This rate is significantly lessened with Low-E glass. The lower the U-Factor, the better the window!

SHGC Factor- SHGC measures how well a window blocks heat from sunlight. The SHGC is the fraction of the heat from the sun that enters through a window. SHGC is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a window’s SHGC, the less solar heat it transmits.

These are just a few of the important terms to know when attempting to make your home more energy-efficient! Keep these in mind along with PARK PLACE DOORS & WINDOWS when you’re ready to update your home!