Keeping Your Home Comfortable and Energy Efficient
Insulation performance is measured to determine how effectively a
window keeps heat in a home. Better insulation in windows means
lower energy costs, and just as important: improved comfort on cold
winter days. Insulation performance is measured in R-values.
The R-value is a measure of resistance to heat flow, therefore a higher R-value means better insulation performance. In the past windows typically had R-values of around 2.0. Triple glazed windows with trigon gas are truly energy efficient, offering glass that is two, three or almost four times more energy efficient than typical dual pane windows. This superior performance will make your home more energy efficient and comfortable. The chart below compares the insulating performance of different glazing products.
Protect Your Home Furnishings From the Ravages of UV Radiation
We all know how dangerous ultra-violet radiation can be. We've read
about the depletion of the ozone layer and increased incidence of
skin cancer due to UV radiation.
In our home environments, UV is the main source of fading. Exposure to UV radiation can damage carpets, couches and draperies. It is now possible to select glazing products such as Heat Mirror, which almost eliminates the transmission of UV radiation. Reducing UV transmission means reduced fading, and longer fabric life and beauty.
Protecting Your Home From the Hot House/Greenhouse "Syndrome"
We've all had the experience of sitting in a room that was hot,
stuffy, and uncomfortable, because of too much heat from the sun.
Unfortunately, the increased use of large window areas in today's
homes has made solar overheating a much bigger problem than it was
ten or fifteen years ago. Fortunately, glazing products are now
available that can significantly reduce solar heat gain through
windows.
Solar control is measured by a value called the shading coefficient. The shading coefficient is a relative comparison of solar heat gain, with lower values indicating lower levels of heat gain therefore better solar control. Heat Mirror products cut heat gain in half compared to standard dual pane glass.
Creating a Refuge in a Noisy World
In today's society, noise is an almost constant factor. Noise
abatement projects are now common in urban environments. Just as
light and energy go through windows, so does sound.
Sound reduction is measured by Sound Transmission Classification (STC) ratings. Based upon a logarithmic measurement somewhat like Richter scale, small differences in measurement mean much greater protection from outside noise. Choosing glass with higher STC ratings will help make your home the refuge from noise that you want it to be.