Energy Efficiency
Choosing the Glass Matters for Energy Efficient Windows
Our partnership with Cardinal Glass Industries’ has created advanced glass technologies that go beyond ordinary low-e glass to make our windows able to handle the weather — any weather. Our ENVIROGUARD™ windows are made with a patented coated glass that delivers year-round comfort in all types of weather. Hot or cold outside, ENVIROGUARD windows keep the climate perfect inside. When the temperature is heading to the top of the thermometer, ordinary window glass simply welcomes in the heat. ENVIROGUARD windows, however, have been specially formulated to reject the sun’s heat and damaging rays and keep homes cool and comfortable. In the winter, ENVIROGUARD windows help homes stay warm and cozy by blocking heat loss to the cold weather outside.
Choose between ENVIROGUARD LoE²-270 for most climates or LoE³-366 for all climates including zone 8 (cold) and zone 1 (hot). LoE³-366 is also a great choice for greater fade resistance by blocking 95% of the sun’s damaging ultravioletrays. Both the LoE²-270 and LoE³-366 windows are available with either air or argon fill.
LoĒ²-270 Glass
Go beyond ordinary low-e glass. Let LoĒ²-270 help you handle the weather – any weather. Solar control for just about the coolest windows under the sun.
The patented LoĒ²-270 coating provides high performance solar control and visual clarity. The sun doesn’t stand a chance against LoĒ²-270. It’s the perfect glass for fighting the heat. It reduces solar heat gain by 50% or more when compared to ordinary glass. In fact, its solar heat gain coefficient is better than code requirements. And because of its clarity, LoĒ²-270 outperforms tinted glass typically used in sunny climates.
The superior insulating capability of LoĒ²-270 is a key factor in the construction of comfortable windows for cold climates. The dramatic comfort improvement from windows with warm glass surfaces also means the relative humidity of the indoor air can be controlled and maintained properly. Proper humidity levels (not too much, not too little) will improve comfort and promote a healthier living environment.
EnviroGuard LoĒ²-270 windows are ideal for all weather conditions in most climates. In summer, its patented coating blocks 86% of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and 63% of the sun’s heat. It even outperforms the tinted glass often used in warm climates. You can see out and the light shines in, with no heavy bronze or smoke colored tints to darken the personality of your home. In winter, it reflects heat back into rooms.
Inside Glass and Outside Temperatures
This table compares the room-side center of glass temperatures of different glass types against two different winter conditions.
Performance
LoĒ³-366 Glass
EnviroGuard LoĒ³-366 windows have the ultimate performance glass. It just might make all other low-e glass obsolete. LoĒ³-366 delivers the ideal balance of solar control and high visibility. And it provides the highest levels of year-round comfort and energy savings. It’s also the one glass you can use to be compliant in every ENERGY STAR zone – in a double-pane window. Its low SHGC makes it compliant throughout the rest of the country as well. It’s the perfect glass wherever you live.
Beats the heat. Keeps the view.
When the temperature soars, ordinary window glass just can’t handle the heat. And tinted glass spoils the view. EnviroGuard LoĒ³-366 windows, however, has been specially formulated to reject the sun’s heat without affecting the view. It lets more light in and keeps more heat out. So your home stays cool and comfortable. Our patented LoĒ³-366 coating provides the ultimate in performance of all our LoĒ products. What’s more, LoĒ³-366 provides exceptional fading protection as well. It blocks 95% of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays (a leading cause of fading), so it will help your furniture, carpets, curtains and wall coverings stay beautiful for years to come.
The superior insulating capability of LoĒ³-366 is a key factor in the construction of comfortable windows for cold climates. The dramatic comfort improvement from windows with warm glass surfaces also means the relative humidity of the indoor air can be controlled and maintained properly. Proper humidity levels (not too much, not too little) will improve comfort and promote a healthier living environment.
Inside Glass and Outside Temperatures
This table compares the room-side center of glass temperatures of different glass types against two different winter conditions.
Performance
Energy Efficiency Terminology
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is the organization that tests and rates all windows in the US. The NFRC energy performance label can help you determine how well a product will perform the functions of helping to cool your home in the summer, warm your building in the winter, keep out wind, and resist condensation. By using the information contained on the label, consumers can reliably compare one product with another, and make informed decisions about the windows they buy.
NFRC logoNFRC performance labels list the manufacturer, describe the product, provide a source for additional information, and include ratings for one or more energy performance characteristics.
U-Factor
U-factor measures how well a product prevents heat from escaping. The rate of heat loss is indicated in terms of the U-factor (U-value) of a window assembly. U-Factor ratings generally fall between 0.20 and 1.20. The lower the U-value, the greater a window’s resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures how well a product blocks heat caused by sunlight. The SHGC is the fraction of incident solar radiation admitted through a window (both directly transmitted and absorbed) and subsequently released inward. SHGC is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a window’s solar heat gain coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits in the house.
Visible Transmittance
Visible Transmittance (VT) measures how much light comes through a product. The visible transmittance is an optical property that indicates the amount of visible light transmitted. VT is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The higher the VT, the more light is transmitted.
Air Leakage*
Air Leakage (AL) is indicated by an air leakage rating expressed as the equivalent cubic feet of air passing through a square foot of window area (cfm/sq ft). Heat loss and gain occur by infiltration through cracks in the window assembly. The lower the AL, the less air will pass through cracks in the window assembly.
Condensation Resistance*
Condensation Resistance (CR) measures the ability of a product to resist the formation of condensation on the interior surface of that product. The higher the CR rating, the better that product is at resisting condensation formation. While this rating cannot predict condensation, it can provide a credible method of comparing the potential of various products for condensation formation. CR is expressed as a number between 0 and 100.
* This rating is optional and manufacturers can choose not to include it.
R-Factor
R-Factor is a measure of the resistnace of the insulated glass unit to heat flow. A high R-factor window has a greater resistance to heat flow and thus, a higher insulating value than a window with a low R-Factor.
Ultra Violet Light
The invisible rays of the light spectrum at its short-wavelength violet end. U.V. Ras are found in everyday sunlight and can cause fading and damage to paint, carpet, furniture and fabrics.
Visible Light
This is the fraction of the visible specturm of light weighted by the sinsitivity of your eyes that is transmitted through the window. Simply put, it represents the amount of daylight that the window lets in.
Low-E Stacked
Low-E Stacked Glass keeps you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. The overall U-Factor (insulating value) and R-Factor (resistance to heat and cold transfer) of windows with Low-E stacked glass is considerably better than stand clear insulating glass and also better than standard Low-E products.
Argon Gas Filled
Argon is a colorless oderless gas that is 6 times heavier than air. Argon insulates better than just air and also reduces the amount of convection that goes on between the panes of glass.
Our Line of Quality Windows
Precision Millworks makes quality building products for new construction and renovation projects. Our products have industry leading warranties.