When shopping for new windows, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the options. Modern windows come with low-E coatings, tempered or laminated glass, gas fills, and so much more. The benefits of these features aren’t always intuitive to the inexperienced shopper. New Jersey Siding & Windows, Inc. helps you make the right selection with our guide on how to choose window glass.
Key Takeaways
- Low-E glass features an invisible coating that reflects thermal rays to reduce heat transfer.
- Gas fills act as invisible insulation between glass panes. Argon is the standard option, while krypton is used in premium window products.
- More panes improve energy performance, safety glass enhances security, and obscure glass provides privacy without blocking light.
What Is Low-E Glass?
Low-emissive or low-E glass is a design feature to look for when buying energy-efficient vinyl windows. The glass has a microscopically thin coating that acts like a thermal mirror. Visible spectrum light can pass through the coating, allowing for great natural light and uninhibited views of the outdoors. Long-wave light, however, is reflected by the coating. This reduces heat transfer across the whole glass surface, keeping your home cool in warm weather and warm in cold weather.
Thermal reflectivity offers numerous benefits. By preventing heat transfer, it helps your home stay at a consistently comfortable temperature. It also reduces “hot spots” in sunlit rooms. Your furnace and air conditioner don’t have to work as hard to keep your home comfortable, either. This improves your home’s energy efficiency to keep power bills low year-round.
How Do Gas Fills Insulate Glass?
Another feature to look for is a gas fill. Modern windows aren’t actually made with a single pane of glass. They’re made with two glass layers with a space in between. This space is pumped full of an inert gas that has lower thermal conductivity than air. The gas acts as an invisible layer of insulation, slowing down heat transfer. There are two primary gases on the market:
- Argon: The cheaper option, argon, has about 34% lower thermal conductivity than air. It is often used in double-pane windows for its cost-effectiveness and excellent performance.
- Krypton: Denser than argon, krypton is ideal for insulating thinner gaps, such as those in triple-pane windows. It is a premier option that is popular in high-performance windows.
Both gases are nontoxic, invisible, and odorless, so they don’t impact your safety or your view. You can enjoy your new windows with the satisfaction that you are saving on energy bills every month.
What Are the Most Common Window Glass Options?
We’ve covered the coatings and fills; now it’s time to discuss the glass itself. You’ll want to think about pane count, safety features, and whether you want the glass to be transparent or obscure.
Double or Triple Panes?
Double-paned windows are the standard option for most consumer-grade windows. They feature two glass panes that are separated by a gas-filled gap to reduce thermal transfer. Triple-pane windows work similarly but add an extra pane and an extra gas layer. The additional pane offers even better efficiency than double-pane glass. Most windows on the market cannot hold the weight of an additional pane of glass; any that do marks a quality manufacturer.
Tempered or Laminated Glass?
Both tempered and laminated glass are classified as safety glass, but they are manufactured differently and offer different benefits. Tempered glass is heat-treated for high impact strength. When it breaks, it shatters into blunt pebbles that don’t cut. Laminated glass, on the other hand, features a layer of plastic within the glass. The plastic holds together to maintain a barrier when cracked.
What Is Obscure Glass?
Obscure glass is treated to reduce visibility while allowing natural light transfer. It can be frosted, fluted, or patterned, delivering three distinctive looks. The reduced visibility makes obscure glass a good choice for bathrooms and entry doors, where it replaces blinds as a privacy screen.
Learn More About How to Choose Window Glass in NJ
Are you still unsure what type of glass you need? Trust your window experts at New Jersey Siding & Windows, Inc. We can help you understand the options we have available and decide when premium selections are worthwhile. Contact us to learn more about how to choose window glass or to request a quote on your replacement project in New Jersey.
FAQs about Window Glass
What do Low-E coatings and gas fills actually do?
Low-E coatings and gas fills are two features that improve energy efficiency. Low-E coatings reflect thermal energy, while gas fills have low conductivity to slow heat transfer.
Which window glass features matter most for comfort and efficiency?
Low-E coatings, gas fills, and the number of panes all matter for home comfort and energy efficiency.
How can homeowners choose the right glass without overpaying?
To choose the right glass without overpaying, start by defining your priorities. Double-pane glass with an argon fill, for example, may be sufficient for most residential applications. Consider premium features only when your space needs the extra protection.
When do premium window features make sense?
Premium features like triple-pane glass and krypton fills are ideal for windows with heavy sun exposure, where they will provide the most benefit.
When can I get away with affordable options?
You can get away with standard options in rooms that don’t have sun exposure and ones that don’t have hot spots or drafts.
