There are many different types of glass, and they all have relatively different energy efficiency levels. In this blog post, we’re exploring Low E glass to help you find out if it’s right for you. We’ll cover the basics of what it is, what it’s for and how it works, so read on if you want more details!
Low-E stands for ‘low emissivity’, which means it radiates less absorbed energy. Low-E glass has been the standard material for windows since around the 1980s, so newer glass is more likely to have Low-E coating already in place.
Essentially, Low-E glass works by blocking some wavelengths of light and allowing others; a lot of the extremes of the sun’s spectrum are left outside, while the sun’s visible light waves will pass through normally.
You’ve probably already heard of the different groups of light waves – ultraviolet (UV) light, visible light (VL), and infrared (IR) light. These categories each have a band of wavelength (measured in nanometres) that they are associated with – UV spans 310 to 380, VL 380 to 780, and IR is 780 and above. Low-E coated glass allows visible light from 380nm to 780nm to be transmitted through the glass.
The reason Low-E glass cuts out as much of the UV and IR light as possible is largely to prevent heat passing from one side to the other. This means it keeps your home cooler in summer by keeping heat inside, and warmer in winter by keeping heat in.
This is all thanks to the Low-E coating, a tiny layer of reflective material that is applied over the glass. It’s important to coat the right side of the glass, as this has an impact on performance. If you’re just coating a single pane, for instance, you’d want it on the inside. If it’s on the outside, it will wear off by exposure to the elements much faster than if it was on the interior.
In double-glazed windows, Low-E coating can be applied to the sides that face the vacuum on the inside of the window, keeping it safe from any exposure at all!
There is also a difference between soft-coat and hard coat Low-E glass. Soft-coat tends to be better at blocking heat, but only works for double glazing. Hard-coat is great for single panes of glass, and is still much more effective than no Low-E coating at all.
If you have double-glazing, you may already have Low-E glass. Today, we’re focusing more on single pane windows, since there’s a higher probability that these need to be updated.
Single pane Low-E glass coating is great for retrofitting into old windows. If you want to preserve your historic windows, but need to keep them from bleeding heat in or out of your home, Low-E glass is the perfect solution. There are a few ways you can achieve this, depending on the window in question.
For example, if your historic window already has exterior storm glass, swapping this out for hard-coat Low-E will provide an immediate and noticeable boost to the efficiency of your older windows.
If storm windows aren’t an option, you can always replace the glass in the windows themselves. While this doesn’t suit everybody (as it doesn’t preserve the original condition of the historic window design), it is the next best path to take, as it saves the basic structure of your older windows.
Finally, you can try a Low-E tint film. Using quick and easy film tints is a cheap and fast way to block heat. However, it is less efficient long-term.
Whether it’s summer or winter, Low-E is a great way to optimise your environmental efficiency, cut power costs, and make your home that much more comfortable.
To find out more about Low-E glass, retrofit double-glazing, timber joinery glazing and more, talk to the expert team at Atlas Glass. With over four decades of experience, we know we can help you get the windows your home deserves. Contact us today!
When it comes to retrofit double glazing, houses in New Zealand stand to benefit more than most. Almost two-thirds of NZ houses were built during the 70s or earlier, and many of them didn’t need to comply with mandatory insulation guidelines. This means most houses in New Zealand still have single pane windows, which retain less heat and are less energy efficient. It’s no wonder so many older NZ homes tend to feel cold and damp.
Windows are usually the weakest point in your home’s insulation, and underperforming windows are the leading cause of both heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, both of which make your home uncomfortable and expensive.
When a new home is built these days, double-glazing is mandated, as it’s much easier to integrate while a house is being built. But building new homes isn’t the answer to New Zealand’s housing woes. We also need to put effort into updating older housing, which still makes up the majority of all homes in the country.
It can be harder to justify retrofit double-glazing in older homes, so let’s dive into 0the five biggest reasons why it’s worth it.
The most obvious benefit for retrofit double glazing is the improvements to your home’s energy efficiency. Beyond that, though, there are a number of options for updating your windows that can improve the quality of life in your home in ways you might not initially expect.
For example, retrofit double glazing might involve replacing the pane of glass that is already in place, or it could involve just placing a second pane of glass behind the existing one. Both options improve insulation, but the latter also increases soundproofing. This is largely because there is more opportunity to insulate the frame itself, and it is easier to increase the size of the vacuum between the panes of glass, which is a major factor in how much soundproofing the window will offer you.
As previously mentioned, a majority of retrofit double glazing is carried out on older windows. Many of these may be heritage pieces that need preservation. Retrofit double glazing is the perfect option for retaining the style and feel of your home, while bringing it into the modern era and making it more liveable. If you want to keep the character of your home, but need to update it, retrofitting is the way to go.
As far as environmental concerns go, retrofitting can be a huge step toward sustainability for a few key reasons.
First, choosing not to entirely replace your old windows is less wasteful, and saves your original pane of glass winding up in the landfill. Second, the better your home’s insulation works, the less you run your heater or air conditioning, which saves on your energy bill and your carbon footprint.
If you plan to sell at some point, retrofitting existing windows is a great way to drive up the value of your house with minimal investment. It makes sense – everyone wants to live in a home that’s comfortable, and improving the thermal efficiency of your windows makes your space somewhere that is comfortable and peaceful not just for you, but for potential buyers too.
Finally, retrofitted double glazing doesn’t come in just one size – it can be cut to fit the window that needs it – ranch doors, awning windows, etc. It works for both timber and aluminium frames, and there is always a way to integrate it successfully, no matter the shape or aesthetic of your window.
Double glazed windows are the secret to a year-round comfortable home, lower power bills, reduced impact on the planet and a higher market price for your home. If you have old windows you want to preserve, but it’s time for your home to modernise, talk to the experts here at Atlas Glass. We have over four decades of experience in the greater Auckland area, so if you need a glazier that knows double glazing inside and out, come to us first.
