The Best Glass for Replacement Windows

On average, windows are 90% glass. That’s why, no matter how well your window frame is constructed or how well your windows are installed, your window won’t work well or even at all if the glass isn’t up to snuff. That’s why it’s imperative that you choose the right kind of glass for the replacement windows for your San Jose, CA home. But what makes window glass good or bad? How do you choose the right one for your home and windows?

Read on to learn more about what kinds of glasswork best to make replacement windows energy efficient, and why these kinds of glass are the best for your replacement windows.

There are two main types of glass that are ideal for replacement windows, insulated glass, and low-E glass. 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 a gas such as Argon gas, a colorless, odorless, non-toxic, 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. There’s also Krypton Gas. Krypton gas is much denser than Argon gas and shares many of the same properties. Its higher density, however, means it’s even more insulating and noise-reducing for a tougher window or door.

Low-E glass is another ideal type of effective and efficient window glass. An 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, when Tucson gets cold at night, low-E glass reflects heat back into a room, effectively keeping the room warm while reducing your energy use.

You can also shop for glass by rating rather than by type. 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 the glass. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat gets into the home.

You need to be sure you choose the best glass for your replacement windows to ensure energy efficiency and comfort. If you want to learn more about window glass or replacement windows, California Custom Creations can help. We offer expert San Jose, CA replacement window services. Please give us a call to learn more about replacement windows, glass, and what we can do for you and your home.