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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a low-E coating do?
It reflects long-wave infrared.
That is the heat warm objects radiate.
Visible light still passes through.
The coating is effectively invisible.
It is microscopically thin.
Why does the surface position matter?
It decides which way heat is reflected.
On the inner pane it keeps warmth in.
On the outer pane it keeps solar heat out.
The same glass does opposite jobs.
Orientation is a specification, not a detail.
Which arrangement suits my climate?
Heating-dominated climates keep warmth in.
The coating faces the cavity from inside.
Cooling-dominated climates reject solar heat.
The coating faces the cavity from outside.
State the surface number when ordering.
What is the difference between hard and soft coat?
Hard coat is applied as glass is made.
It is durable enough to handle and cut.
It can even be used single-glazed.
Soft coat performs better thermally.
But it is fragile and needs a sealed unit.
Why is soft coat edge-deleted?
The coating would interfere with the seal.
It is removed in a band around the edge.
The sealant then bonds to bare glass.
That protects the unit's service life.
It is done at the fabricator.
Does it reduce daylight?
The stronger solar-control coatings do.
Rejecting heat also cuts some visible light.
A faint tint or reflectivity can result.
Compare light transmittance figures.
Not just the thermal numbers.
Can one glass solve summer and winter?
Not really, and it is worth accepting.
Winter wants solar gain admitted.
Summer wants it rejected.
A fixed coating cannot do both.
Shading resolves what glass cannot.