If you’re about to embark on a window replacement for your Kirkland, WA home, you need to start thinking about glass. Your windows are around 90% glass, so no matter how well the windows themselves are made or installed, they won’t work properly if they don’t have high-quality glass.
Luckily, it isn’t that hard to find well-made and high-quality window glass. There are a few types of glass you should look for, especially if you’re hoping for good energy efficiency. Be sure to check out insulated glass and low-E glass when shopping for your window replacement.
Insulated glass is actually two or more panes of glass separated from the others with sealed air chambers for increased insulation. These chambers can contain air or gas, but the chambers are usually filled with gas such as:
- Argon Gas – a colorless, odorless, nontoxic and nonflammable inert gas. Heavier than air, it’s completely safe to be in your home. Argon insulates window glass by reducing heat and cold conduction between the panes, and acts as a noise depressant due to its density.
- Krypton Gas – Krypton gas is much denser than Argon gas, and shares many of the same properties. Its higher density, however, means its even more insulating and noise reducing for a tougher window or door.
Low-E glass, on the other hand, is regular glass with a special coating. This extremely thin, almost undetectable metallic coating covers this glass to serve as an extra thermal barrier that reflects temperature into your indoor space. For example, in the winter, low-E glass reflects heat back into a room, effectively keeping the room warm while reducing your energy use.
Another easy way to find high-quality window glass is to look at the ratings. Window glass comes with general ratings to help buyers determine efficacy, quality, and value. The following values are very important:
- R-Value – R-Value is a window or glass panels’ resistance to heat flow. A high R-Value means the window is more effective and highly insulating.
- U-Factor – U-Factor, or U-Value, is a measurement of heat flow rate through a glass pane’s glazing system. Lower U-Values mean less heat and cold get through the glass, keeping your home comfortable.
- SHGC - The SHGC, or Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, measures the amount of solar radiation that gets through glass. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat gets into the home.
Its not that hard to get good quality window glass for your window replacement once you’re armed with the right knowledge.
If you want more information about replacement windows or their glass, Puget Sound Window & Door can help. We offer a range of Kirkland, WA window replacement services, and would be happy to give you more information about what we do, or the industry in general. Please stop by our showroom located at 445 E Main Ave Puyallup, WA 98372 to visit us in person. You can also give us a call at (253) 904-8658 to schedule a consultation.