A well-installed window can protect your home from the elements and keep your energy bills low. However, not every window is created equally, and some provide better energy efficiency than others. If your windows could use an efficiency boost, window coatings can help. Learn how window coatings affect energy efficiency and how to select the window coatings that will work best for your home.
What Is a Window Coating?
You’ve probably seen a car with tinted windows before, but did you know that residential windows can be tinted, too? Window coatings are films applied to window panes for various purposes, including improving energy efficiency. The right window coating can positively impact your energy bills while offering several other benefits to your home. Learning how window coatings affect energy efficiency is an excellent place to start.
Low-E Coatings
Low-e coatings are an extremely popular choice for homeowners concerned with energy efficiency. A low-e (or low-emission) coating is an invisible metal coating applied to individual panes of glass within a window. These coatings can help your home retain its internal temperature by preventing heat from transmitting through window panes. A low-e coating is invisible to the naked eye and can reduce your home’s energy loss by a significant margin.
Insulating Coatings
If you’re trying to improve your home’s warmth during winter or keep the air-conditioned air inside during summer, an insulating coating for your windows is an affordable and effective option. An insulated coating is a layer of plastic applied to a window pane to keep the inside of the home or building adequately insulated and avoid unwanted temperature fluctuations. Unlike heavy thermal curtains or other window treatments, an insulating coating will provide additional protection from the elements without interfering with your view.
Tinted Coatings
Low-e coatings and insulating coatings are typically made to be as transparent as possible so they don’t block the view from your home. But what if you want a window coating that will provide you with some privacy? Tinted window coatings can be designed to allow an unimpeded view from the inside while preventing strangers from looking into your home. There are also tinted coatings that offer two-way coverage, blocking the view in both directions. While the primary benefit from these coatings is privacy, they offer protection from UV rays and additional insulation to window panes.
Glare Control Coatings
Some windows need different kinds of coating than others to effectively prevent heat transfers. For example, windows that are directly hit by the sun can cause uneven heating in your home and irritation from the bright light. While a pair of curtains can help, you can keep your view and cut the glare with a glare control coating. These coatings let natural light into your home while reflecting ultraviolet rays and heat back into the atmosphere. They can keep your energy bills low and make any room more comfortable.
Security Coatings
If you live in an area where inclement weather is common, a security coating might be a good idea for your window. That’s because a security coating is made to prevent a window from shattering when it experiences an impact. A security coating makes windows more resistant to flying debris. This can help you avoid temperature issues caused by cracked panes and other weather-related damage.
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Now that you know how window coatings affect energy efficiency, are you ready to update the windows in your home? Contact the experts at American Window Company, and we’ll help you find the right options for your design and budget.
When you’re in the market for new windows, American Window Company can assist you in locating your perfect window. Whether you’re wondering about R-values and U-factors or debating the merits of vinyl vs. aluminum, our team of experts is happy to answer your questions. With our extensive selection of windows from trusted manufacturers, we’re sure to have the ideal window for your needs. Contact us today to discuss your project.