Glass Options: Finding the right glass for your new replacement windows

You’ve decided to replace those old rotting windows, and you’ve chosen the right window frames to match your home on the inside and on the outside.

Now what?

Now comes a decision that’s just as important as picking new energy efficient frames. Now it’s time to consider what type of glass or glazing you should use to help improve your home’s energy efficiency. And depending on the climate, your home’s design, window orientation and other factors, you might choose different types of glazing for different windows throughout your home.

Let’s talk about performance

One way to improve the thermal performance of windows with insulating glazing is to fill the space between the panes with inert gas, like argon, that has a higher resistance to heat flow than air.

Insulating window glazing

With windows that have two or more panes, the glass panes are spaced apart and sealed to insulate the window, which leaves an insulating air space. Insulating window glazing primarily lowers the U-factor, but it also lowers the SHGC.

Low-Emissive coatings

Low-emissivity (low-e) coatings on glazing or glass control heat transfer through windows with insulating glazing. Windows manufactured with low-e coatings can reduce energy loss, according to energy.gov.

A low-e coating is virtually invisible and helps to lower the U-factor of the window, and different types of low-e coatings have been designed to allow for high solar gain, moderate solar gain, or low solar gain.

Reflective coatings

Reflective coatings on window glazing or glass reduce the transmission of solar radiation, blocking more light than heat. Therefore, they can help reduce a window’s glare (interior), as well as help reduce a window’s SHGC.

Reflective coatings usually consist of thin, metallic layers, and come in a variety of colors.

Reflective window glazing is commonly used in hot climates to control solar heat gain. The reduced cooling energy demands can be offset by the need for additional electrical lighting, so reflective glass is used mostly for special applications.

Pella Omaha’s glazing options

Pella offers a wide variety of insulating glass options for products. See all