Low e meaning low emissivity is an extremely thin layer of metallic particles or more commonly several layers applied to the glass that in simple terms allows the glass to act like a sieve.
Low e windows vs clear glass.
While the coating is thin it creates a surface that reflects heat and blocks uv light while allowing light to pass through.
The second option is to keep both panes of glass clear and with or without a low e coating on the exterior glass pane.
Compared to low e glass windows double glazed windows allow 47 more solar heat gain.
The glass facing the outdoors can be tinted so that those outside cannot see inside while the glass facing the interior is left clear so those inside can see outdoors.
Low e or low emissivity glass was created to minimize the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light that comes through your glass without minimizing the amount of light that enters your home.
Tinted windows and doors help reduce the amount of heat and light transfer while low e glass coatings reflect the heat back to the source allowing the short wave light to pass through for.
Now we have double and triple paned windows high efficiency windows and a wide variety of frame materials to choose from.
Low e glass is clear glass that has been treated with an invisible metallic oxide coating.
Why double glazing does it better.
Two types of low e glass soft and hard coat look and perform differently.
The coating is invisible to the naked eye.
The tints on the low e are green.
No longer do we simply choose a single pane wood window and call it a day.
This table will compare glass r values.
Clear glass windows vs low e.
To understand which one is better and solve the dilemma low e glass vs normal glass we need to look at the building needs.
The world of windows has come a long way from what it once was.
The coating is applied to the internal glass to separate both heat and light energy.
Soft coat low e glass has a higher r value.
Long wavelengths or heat are filtered out while short wavelengths the visible light spectrum are allowed to pass through.
Low e glass windows have a microscopically thin coating that is transparent and reflects heat.
I am probably too late to ask for opinions but we just ordered new windows for our home.
Needless to say during the winter chilly months every little ounce of heat helps.
Low e glass windows offer insulation against heat and cold.