Visible Light Transmission vs Solar Heat Gain?
Visible Light Transmission vs Solar Heat Gain? Summer vs Winter U-Value? Exterior vs Interior Visible Reflectance? SN68 vs SB70 vs LoE 366 or other Low E coatings?
High-performance glass has so many variables that affect aesthetics, energy performance, comfort, and cost — so how do you choose?
Let’s break down some of the key variables I help clients understand when selecting glass for luxury hurricane-rated homes:
Vitro, Cardinal, Guardian, St. Gobain, Viracon – What differentiates the glass manufacturers vs the fabricators?
Coatings vs Tint – "Tint" is just the apparent color of the glass, usually Clear or Gray. But coatings control performance, and there are far more options than most people realize.
Low E Coatings – These surface-applied coatings are the most complex variable. Every manufacturer has multiple coating options that affect:
energy performance,
daylight transmission,
interior light color,
reflectivity (inside and out),
and cost.
Insulated Laminated vs Non-Insulated Laminated – Do you need insulated glass to hit your targets? What's the added cost and how does it interact with your HVAC design?
NFRC Ratings vs Real-World Performance – The NFRC label is based on standard-sized windows. It doesn't reflect the size or complexity of the glass in your actual home — and that can be seriously misleading.
I spend my time independently studying all the major hurricane-rated window and door manufacturers to stay on top of this rapidly evolving landscape. New glass types, coatings, and sizes are being tested every month — it’s an arms race to push performance while reducing visual compromises.
This is where I bring value to the process: helping you understand the nuanced tradeoffs between products and how glass choice impacts both the budget and the look of your home.
Visible Light Transmission vs Solar Heat Gain?