Glass Tints and Coatings: Your Options Explained
Solutions with ImpactWhen considering new impact windows and doors, a critical decision to be made it what your glass will look like. Impact resistant glass is available with a variety of tints, energy coatings and even textures! With all of these options, it's important to understand which glass features best match your goals and design style.
When reviewing glass specifications, three measurements will be provided. These measures always evaluate the whole window, frame included. They are explained below.
U-Factor: A measure of how well the entire window unit insulates the home. This refers to the transfer of non-solar related heat (like that of an A/C system)
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): A measure of how much solar radiation (UV Rays) is transmitted or absorbed by the window or door, directly related to how much heat is allowed through the opening
Visual Transmittance (VT): A measure of how much visible light is allowed through the window or door
Types of glass options:
Tints: Add color to the final glass product and limit the VT
Varieties include: Gray, Bronze, Blue, Green, Dark Gray
Low-E coatings: A silver oxide coating that adds a reflective finish to the exterior of the glass; blocks UV rays lowering SHGC and preventing fading of items in the home like furniture, flooring and art
Varieties include: Low E 270, Low E 366 and Low E 340 (these numbers indicate the number of layers and what percentage of UV rays are blocked)
Obscure: Also referred to as privacy glass, these options include colored interlayers or texture to make it more difficult to see the window or door. Typically used for entry doors, bathroom windows, or cabana doors.
Varieties include: Rain or mist textures; white interlayer
Turtle glass: If on oceanfront property, a very dark tint, usually referred to as ‘Turtle Gray’ or ‘Dark Gray’ must be used on openings facing the water due to Florida Building Code. This tint has the lowest VT rating to prevent confusing turtle hatchlings when attempting to return to the ocean.
Combos: Glass types are chosen based on the goals of your projects or prevailing building codes. If you are trying to achieve several goals, our manufacturers offer glass with combinations of the above. For example, Gray Low E 366 glass is often used in easterly openings in bedrooms because owners want to prevent both the early morning sun and prevent the transfer of heat into their home.
Impact Resistant glass also has inherent UV protection protective properties, which you can read more about here. No matter the goals of your replacement project, or the location of an opening, there is a glass option that will be ideal for you. Speak with a Window & Door Replacement Company remodel consultant today at 561-623-8446 to determine the glass that will work best for your new windows and doors.
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