MAJOR Myths about Low-E Windows

[@ladylyonteeth3952]

I’ve heard some companies have a darker low e window. How do I find the ones that are not as dark? Also, I notice that it can mess with the visual element when one has internal grids or even white shades. How does one avoid that? Some houses seem to, others not so much. Thanks! Great video as always. :) ❤

[@gregcorwin8316]

Great info!. One quick clarification, the decimal number associated with LowE glass heat transfer through the glass/coating is the percentage that passes through the glass, not the percentage that's being blocked.

[@americanwindowconcepts5510]

That's not what I said?? Uh oh! I will have to watch it again and verify that.

[@gregcorwin8316]

@@americanwindowconcepts5510 LOL! I listened to it several times to make sure that I heard it right before posting, but now I need to watch again to be sure.

[@MGheen]

Q: is the high exterior reflectivity sometimes bothersome to people outside your house? Would it reflect light like a Death Star beam into your neighbor's home? Or into the eyes of driving passers-by and pedestrians?

[@Greatday68]

Low=E does not last forever, It can and has broken down, I've seen plenty of failed low-e, Also never put window tint on the inside pane of glass, this will cause you to have a seal failure between the glass,

[@PureEnergy6549]

Any Lowes associates out there in Millwork? These videos are so helpful with explaining to a customer what they are buying.

[@americanwindowconcepts5510]

Glad to be of help!

[@PureEnergy6549]

@@americanwindowconcepts5510 No Ty. I now am more literate to the product without bs'ing the customer.

[@steveswoodworking2504]

Great video!

[@aprilgann8100]

Would you still recommend low-e windows if you have a porch to block the sun?

[@americanwindowconcepts5510]

Great question! That depends on the city building permit requirements. If a customer does not need one, then I would say no need for the LowE if there is a large porch area, and no direct sunlight actually hits the windows. Most cities here in California make it mandatory to get a permit if changing the windows, in which case LowE on all windows is a MUST, due to Title 24 compliance.

[@citticat2]

BS, I put in low E windows and noticed very little difference in the winter and now two windows blew out and a replacement cost of $1800 - I want my single pane glass back that last for years.

[@edwardlouie]

Can you do a video about low iron glass and how it affects U-value, SHGC, and VT?

[@seanyahn7158]

Yes, I will work on that for you. Thanks Edward.

[@TBoy1247]

Is there a way to confirms that he argon gas is intact?

[@jorgevazquez590]

What about at night? Is the low e glass highly reflective in the interior of the home at night? Can I see outside at night or is there an obstructive reflection at night when looking outside?

[@kowen5323]

A low E coating should be a complete pass-through for visible light. That's why it's hard to tell if glass is coated.

[@ronaldreese292]

Good video. Thanks. Do impact widows with low-E save on cooling (AC) cost in a hot climate? Have any studies on this been done, where cooling cost reductions have been measured or estimated?

[@americanwindowconcepts5510]

Hi Ronald, the LowE coating would be between the panes on the exterior panel of glass. The performance would be the same as any other dual or triple pane window with like LowE.

[@wolfnestyne9563]

I was told by my dad that the lowe has gases in the glass .

[@jrkin]

So with there being a reflection, there are different low e glass for different climates? Say one to keep heat in vs one keeping heat out?

[@gregcorwin8316]

Yes, there are different options for different climates. At it's simplest, all coatings improve U factor performance but there are different levels of Solar Heat Gain - high gain coatings, moderate gain coatings, and low gain coatings.

[@americanwindowconcepts5510]

Yes, and to touch on what Greg stated, there are other ways the LowE help, along with the Argon Gas or Krypton, whichever you choose. During the day, the LowE will help slow the transfer of the suns radiant heat waves, and at night, the LowE will keep the inside warm (if you so choose) by reflecting the "wanted" heat back into the home. The Argon helps by also slowing the transfer and acts as a blanket, so to speak.

[@stevenluna2627]

Do low-e windows completely block looking outside at night when lights are on inside the house?

[@americanwindowconcepts5510]

Good question, and sorry for the late response. Not completely, but you will have to try a little bit more than normal. It is inherently reflective.

[@rdoubled1384]

Does Low-e block heat or does it block light? I think it blocks the light which gets converted to heat.

[@americanwindowconcepts5510]

It slows the heat transfer by huge margins. It will also inherently block some of the natural light as well, but not near what you would block with window tint, and with a better performance overall.

[@dimitria8585]

Is argon gas safe?

[@jaysonlarson7237]

Hey Sean, since it’s 2 panes sandwiched together with the low e in the middle, what if I wanted it for freestanding railing? The exterior edge is going to show those two panes, not a smooth, solid edge, correct?

[@americanwindowconcepts5510]

For a railing, I think that is a completely different animal altogether. But yes, you will see the two panes of glass with a spacer edge showing....I would hope for everything to have a frame around it to preserve that spacer.

[@RemmikRotus]

Not only is it a rough edge but the space between the glass is an air gap sealed with a wide spacer to keep the two glass pieces separated. This spacer created a gap between the glass that can be small to large depending on the IGU ordered but typically it’s close to 1/2”. So you would have the rough sharp edge of the glass, unless it was sanded smoother. Tempered glass has this sanded smooth before tempering but it’s not a pretty edge. Then the back side of the spacer shows and that is not pretty either. The edge of IGU’s are not designed to be an exposed edge and since they are not structural, they can’t be used as railing. The IGU can actually come apart pretty easy with heat and force. I’ve seen IGU’s shear when e one lane of glass is 1” past the other. This was due to the bottom support of the glass shifted and only one pane of glass had proper support and the other shifted down, even though it’s supposed to stay adhered to the spacer.