A Clear View On Glass
Things in the glass world, they are a’changin’, according to Reed Construction Data!
Down in Florida the building codes are changing to require high impact-resistant glass to be installed in both commercial and residential buildings. Meanwhile, high energy efficient glass is becoming a more common choice for both commercial and residential builders.
Energy efficient glass reduces glare and UV light passing through the pane. It also keeps heat on the side of the glass it’s on much better than standard glass. So if it’s hot outside, it keeps the heat "out there". If it’s cold outside, it keeps the cold "out there" and the heat inside.
Property owners are finally cottoning on to the money that can be saved on heating and cooling by upgrading their windows.
But not all windows are created equal. To aid home-owners in rating the energy efficiency of the windows they’re considering for their homes, a rating system has been devised. You can read more about the rating system and how it’s used here. Energy Star also has some good information on energy efficient windows you may wish to look over.
As usual, just as not all (energy efficient) windows are created equal, so too are not all (energy efficient) windows suitable for all applications. To give but one simple example, low-E coated window would be a poor choice for the south face of a passive solar home, for instance, but an excellent choice where that heat is undesirable.
As always, ask your contractor to help you make the best choice for your application.
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