Efficient Windows: Glass

Characteristics of Low-E Glass

• Transparent metallic coatings reflect certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation
• Low-E glass has little or no color; Low-E is not a tinted glass product
• Reduces UV transmission
• Usually has high visible light transmittance
• Can either transmit or reflect solar infrared
• Reflects long wave energy to lower
• U-factors, improves insulating properties

Low solar heat gain low-E glass can cut about one half of solar heat gain and heat loss while letting most daylight through.

Clear Glass

Spectrally Selective Low-E

Photos Source: Efficient Windows Collaborative (EWC)

For additional information on this topic, please consult the Low-E Coatings and Glazing Types sections of the Efficient Windows Collaborative website.