What Is a Low E Glass?
Important Point
Low-E Glass full name Low-Emissivity Glass, glass was created to minimize the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light that comes through your glass, without minimizing the amount of light that enters your home.
Low-E glass windows have a microscopically thin coating that is transparent and reflects heat. The coating is even thinner than a human hair!
The Low-E coatings keep the temperature in your home consistent by reflecting the interior temperatures back inside.
Also, read: What Is Window | Functions of Windows | Location of Windows | Standard Height of Windows
Types of Low E Glass
There are two types of Low-E glass:
- Hard coat (online)
- Soft coat (offline).
Hard Coat Low-E Glass
Hard coat Low-E glass is made by coating the glass during production with a thin metallic oxide layer, effectively welding it to the glass surface.
Soft Coat Low-E Glass
Soft coat Low-E glass, or sputter coating, is applied to glass that has already been formed.
Advantages of Low E Glass
Low E Glass Reduce Energy Costs
- Low-E glass has an invisible coating that reflects long-wave infra-red radiations towards the interior of the building.
- They keep the interiors cooler in summer and warmer in winter months; effectively decreasing the use of energy appliances by controlling the indoor temperature.
Low E Glass Reduce Destructive UV Rays
- Because it resists ultraviolet light, low-E glass prevents sunlight exposure from damaging carpets, draperies, sofas and other furnishings.
- And, low-E glass reduces sunlight glare in a room. The coatings reduce glare and reflect the sun’s heat away from the structure.
Low E Glass Do Not Block All Natural Light
- Low E windows block infrared light and UV light, but one other vital component makes up the solar spectrum, visible light. Of course, they will reduce visible light slightly, compared to a clear glass pane. However, plenty of natural light will brighten your room.
Low E Glass Reducing Electricity
- They help in reducing electricity bills, as they maintain the temperature of the room at the desired level.
Low E Glass Compared to Normal Glass
- Low e glass provides better performance as compared to single-glazing glass and double glazing glass. So it is extensively used in glass facade in cold climates.
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Disadvantages of Low E Glass
One of the disadvantages of Low-E glass is that it is more expensive than regular glass.
Windows that are designed to block out UV rays and infrared light are generally going to be more costly than traditional windows.
This means that you will have a larger initial investment to deal with.
What Is Hard Coat Low-E Glass?
Hard Coat Low E is applied at a very high temperature and is sprayed onto the glass surface.
The advantage to hard coat is that it can be tempered after the coating application and it offers to accessorize with the glass such as blinds in-between the panes.
What Is Soft Coat Low-E Glass?
Soft Coat Low E uses a thin layer of silver, applied using a ‘sputter’ process to a pre-cut section of glass in a vacuum chamber at room temperature.
The finish is referred to as ‘soft coat’ as the coating remains fairly delicate (which is why soft coat is always found on face two or three).
Low E Glass Cost Per Square Foot
A low-e window glass price will generally be around $14 per square foot.
Low E Glass Benefits
Low E applied to windows helps block infrared light from penetrating the glass from the outside. In addition, Low E helps keep in your heating/cooling energy. Bottom line: they are much more energy-efficient, helping you save on heating and cooling costs and costs associated with running your heating/cooling systems.
Low E Glass Vs Regular Glass
Low-E (low emissivity) glass and regular glass differ in their thermal properties and energy efficiency. Here’s a comparison of the two:
- Thermal Insulation: Low-E glass has a microscopically thin, transparent coating that reflects heat, allowing it to insulate better than regular glass. It reduces the transfer of heat through the window, keeping the indoor environment cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
- Energy Efficiency: Due to its enhanced insulation properties, low-E glass helps to reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling. It prevents heat from escaping during winter and minimizes heat gain during summer, resulting in lower energy bills and increased energy efficiency.
- UV Protection: Low-E glass also provides better protection against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. It reflects a significant portion of the UV radiation, which can fade furniture, carpets, and artwork over time. Regular glass offers little to no UV protection.
Low E Glass Windows
Low-E glass windows, also known as low-emissivity windows, are designed to improve energy efficiency and provide greater comfort in homes and buildings.
How Does Low E Glass Work?
Low-E stands for “low emissivity”. Low-E windows contain glass that has been coated in invisible layers of metallic oxide. This coating allows natural light to enter the home while deflecting UV rays and infrared light back out into the environment.
What Are Low E Windows?
Low-E glass, short for Low-Emissivity or Low-Emittance, contains a microscopic coating that makes a window more thermally efficient. The coating is thin, non-toxic and virtually colorless.
Types of Low E Glass
There are two types of Low E coatings – Hard Coat Low E and Soft Coat Low E. A hard-coat Low E glass is a version of the coating which is applied to the glass when it is just coming out of the furnace. The coating is fused onto the glass as it cools down.
What Are the Disadvantages of Low E Glass?
DISADVANTAGES OF LOW E GLASS: IT’S MORE EXPENSIVE
None of us like shelling out more than we have to – especially when there are cheaper alternatives out there. A soft-coat low E glass unit is generally more expensive to purchase for your windows than an uncoated standard toughened glass unit.
Low E Glass Windows
Low-E (low emissivity) glass windows are specifically designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce heat transfer, and enhance comfort in buildings.
What Is Low E Glass?
Low-E (low emissivity) glass is a type of glass that has a thin, transparent coating applied to its surface to improve its thermal properties and energy efficiency. The coating is usually made of metallic oxide layers, such as silver or tin, that are applied using a vacuum deposition process.
What Is Low Emissivity Glass?
Low emissivity (low-E) glass is a type of glass that has a thin, transparent coating applied to its surface to reduce its emissivity, which is the ability to emit radiant energy. The coating is typically made of metallic oxide layers, such as silver or tin, that are applied using a vacuum deposition process.
What Does Low E Glass Mean?
“Low-E” stands for “low emissivity.” Low-E glass refers to a type of glass that has a thin, transparent coating applied to its surface to reduce its emissivity. Emissivity is the ability of a material to emit radiant energy, particularly heat and infrared radiation.
What Does Low E Glass Look Like?
Low-E glass has a microscopically thin, transparent coating—it is much thinner than a human hair—that reflects long-wave infrared energy (or heat). Some low-e’s also reflect significant amounts of short-wave solar infrared energy.
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sir, the article is highly informative and increasing the desire to know more. I am curious to know how the Low-E glass can allow only visible light restricting UV and infrared rays while visible light exists between the two in the spectrum.