The glass
Energy-efficient windows.
Low-E, argon, warm-edge spacer. What the words mean and what they do to your rooms.
What it is
What the glass does.
Three parts, one job.
Low-E is a thin metal coating on the glass you cannot see. It reflects heat. In July it bounces the sun's heat back outside before it gets into the room. In January it bounces your furnace's heat back inside instead of letting it out through the glass.
Argon is a gas that is heavier than air, sealed between the two panes. Heat moves through it slower than through plain air, so the space between the panes insulates better.
The warm-edge spacer is the strip that holds the two panes apart around the edge. Old windows used aluminum, which is cold and sweats. Ours is a low-conductivity spacer, so the edge of the glass stays warmer and condensation stays off the sill. See the cutaway.
Where it fits
What you feel in the house.
Comfort first.
- Rooms that face west stop cooking at 4 pm.
- The glass is not cold to the touch in January, so the room next to it is not either.
- Less condensation on the inside of the glass on cold mornings.
- Curtains, floors and furniture fade slower because the coating blocks most UV.
- Less outside noise. Two panes, a sealed gas space and a tight install all help. More on that.
Straight talk
Straight talk on savings.
We do not put a number on your bill.
- Every house is different. Insulation, ducts, how many windows face west, how you set the thermostat. Anyone who promises you a percentage over the phone is guessing.
- What we can tell you: good glass and a tight install let less heat through the window, both directions, and that is the part of the house you can see and feel.
- Ask us for the performance label on the exact unit you are quoted. Two numbers matter: U-factor, which is how well it holds heat in, and SHGC, which is how much sun heat it lets through. Lower is better for both in our climate.
Fair questions
Questions people ask.
Do not see yours? Call or text (601) 966-0319 and ask.
Is double pane enough, or do I need triple?
For Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi, Low-E argon double pane is the standard answer. Triple pane adds weight and cost for a smaller gain here than up north. Ask us and we will show you both.
What is a U-factor?
How fast heat moves through the whole window. Lower is better. It is on the label of the unit we quote.
What is SHGC?
Solar heat gain coefficient. How much of the sun's heat comes through the glass. Lower means a cooler room in summer.
Does Low-E make the glass look tinted?
Barely. There is a faint change you notice only side by side with clear glass.
Does the argon leak out?
Over many years a small amount can, slowly. The spacer and the seal are what hold it, which is why the spacer matters.
Which one is yours?
Tell us how many openings and where. We measure, write one number, and install.
More
Other styles and where we work.
Pick the page you need.
Double hung · Sliders · Casement · Awning · Picture · Special shapes · Low-E glass · Quiet windows · Patio doors · Nashville · Memphis · Bowling Green · What windows cost · When to replace · Full-frame vs pocket · FAQ
