| If you are purchasing windows, either for new | | | | hard coat and a soft coat. A hard coat is created |
| construction or as replacement windows, you | | | | by applying tin directly to the molten glass. For a |
| may be amazed at the number of options | | | | soft coat, silver is applied after the glass has set. |
| available, ranging from the very simple to the | | | | Of the two, soft coat low-E glass has better |
| very complex. One feature you will most likely | | | | insulating properties. |
| encounter among these options is low-E glass. | | | | Even the placement of the low-E coating is |
| Low-E stands for low emissivity, which is the | | | | important. The specific placement of the metallic |
| ability of a surface to radiate energy. Low-E glass | | | | coating makes a significant different in how the |
| is made by applying a non-visible, microscopic | | | | window directs heat. For this reason, different |
| metal coating or metallic oxide to the surface of a | | | | placements should be used in different climates. In |
| pane of glass. This coating reflects the part of the | | | | colder areas, where retaining heat is a priority, the |
| light spectrum that transmits heat, reducing the | | | | low-E coating should be applied to the interior pane |
| amount of heat the escapes or enters the home | | | | of glass. This keeps heat from escaping the |
| through the windows. This maintains a more | | | | home, and saves on winter heating bills. In |
| comfortable, consistent temperature in your | | | | warmer climates, the goal is to keep heat from |
| home year-round. Low-E windows also block UV | | | | entering the home, so the coating should be |
| rays, reducing fading to furniture and other items. | | | | applied to the exterior pane of glass. This reflects |
| There are two types of metallic low-E coating: a | | | | heat back outward and keeps the A/C bills low. |
