When shopping for replacement windows and doors for your San Diego home, it is important to have a basic understanding of window glazing systems so you can compare window products, and also accurately compare the quotes you receive from various replacement window companies.
A term you should become familiar with when it comes to replacement window glazing systems is Low-E. Low-E (short for low emissivity) coatings are the coatings on glass products designed to help keep out heat rays and the UV rays that can fade fabrics and wall coverings. Most window systems will have a Low-E rating.
Outlined below are five different types of window glazing systems you will likely come across when shopping for replacement windows, along with the pros and cons of each type.
Standard Dual Pane Glass
This glass unit will have two panes of glass, but no Low-E coating.
Pros:
- Glass is very transparent, because there is no added coating
- Fairly inexpensive
Cons:
- It does not meet Title 24, which is a set of energy efficiency standards in California. When applying for a building permit in the state of California, you are required to submit a Title 24 report showing that your proposed building design complies with the California Title 24 energy standards.
- Usually manufactured with a metallic spacer, which over time can cause seal failure
Standard Dual Pane Glass with Single Layered Low-E
This unit has a single layer of Low-E coating, also known as LOWE, LOWE266, LOE and LOE2.
Pros:
- Widely available in big box home improvement stores
- Usually meets Title 24 standards
- Most vinyl window manufacturers, like Milgard, Simonton, Plygem and Amsco, have it as a standard energy-efficient package on their windows
Cons:
- Replacement windows with this type of glazing often have a basic design, and not many upgrade options
- Usually manufactured with a metallic spacer, which can cause seal failure over time
Double Strength Dual Glass Unit with High Performance Triple Layered Silver Low-E366, Argon Gas Filled
This unit is built with two panes of double strength glass connected by a silicone memory foam spacer. It is equipped with three layers of high performance silver Low-E coating and flood filled with argon gas, which guarantees a 90-95% fill rate.
Pros:
- Highly energy efficient, dramatically reducing the amount of heat or cold that passes through the glass
- Blocks up to 95% of harmful UV rays
- Low conductance warm-edge spacer reduces heat transfer and condensation
- Available in Monte Verde
Cons:
- Usually only available through authorized dealers
- Cost of windows with Low-E366 is usually higher than those with Low-E coating
Available in Monte Verde window and door products.
Double Strength Dual Glass Unit with High Performance Triple Layered Silver Low-E366, Argon Gas Filled, with Easy-Clean Coating
This window unit contains all of the features listed in the above description, with the addition of an easy-clean coating that decomposes dirt and other organic materials, allowing them to be easily rinsed away.
Pros:
- AnlinArmor ™ – From manufacturing and delivery, to jobsite through installation,
Homeowners are guaranteed to receive their new windows in pristine condition. - INFINIT-E ™ Triple-Layer Silver Coating – Reflects and substantially reduces the
amount of solar heat entering the home, from a hot summer sun. - PLUS ™ Easy Clean Coating – A permanent exterior coating that harnesses the sun’s
UV rays to break down dirt, keeping your windows cleaner longer. - Platinum Elite ™, Next Generation Spacer – Known as Aviation alloy, Platinum Elite’s
patented 2-piece, laser welded corrugated design, is the most advanced, thermally
efficient, commercial rated warm edge spacer in the industry. - True Dual Seal – An engineered thermoplastic moisture vapor barrier (black), fused
with a commercial rated 2-part structural silicone (gray), assures lifetime durability. - Moisture Stop – Advanced Silica drying agent continuously extracts any moisture
vapor from within the unit. - Argon Gas – An invisible layer of insulation slows the transfer of heat through the
Insulated glass, increasing thermal efficiency up to 15%. (Optional in Infinit-e Plus,
Included in QuadraTherm)
Cons:
- Usually available only through authorized dealers
- Cost is most likely higher than LOW-E366 window units
Available in Anlin’s Catalina Series.
Double Strength Dual Glass Unit with Multi-Layer Heat Retention Coating, Argon Gas Filled
The industry’s most advanced energy-efficient dual pane system.
Pros:
- AnlinArmor ™ – From manufacturing and delivery, to jobsite through installation,
Homeowners are guaranteed to receive their new windows in pristine condition. - INFINIT-E ™ Triple-Layer Silver Coating – Reflects and substantially reduces the
amount of solar heat entering the home, from a hot summer sun. - PLUS ™ Easy Clean Coating – A permanent exterior coating that harnesses the sun’s
UV rays to break down dirt, keeping your windows cleaner longer. - Platinum Elite ™, Next Generation Spacer – Known as Aviation alloy, Platinum Elite’s
patented 2-piece, laser welded corrugated design, is the most advanced, thermally
efficient, commercial rated warm edge spacer in the industry. - True Dual Seal – An engineered thermoplastic moisture vapor barrier (black), fused
with a commercial rated 2-part structural silicone (gray), assures lifetime durability. - Moisture Stop – Advanced Silica drying agent continuously extracts any moisture
vapor from within the unit. - Argon Gas – An invisible layer of insulation slows the transfer of heat through the
Insulated glass, increasing thermal efficiency up to 15%. (Optional in Infinit-e Plus,
Included in QuadraTherm) - QuadraTherm ™ – Multi-layer heat retention coating helps keep more warmth inside
your home on cold days and nights. (Optional Upgrade)
Cons:
- Usually available only through authorized dealers
- Cost of windows equipped with QuadraTherm is likely to be higher than Infinite-Plus windows
Available in Anlin’s QuadraTherm window and door products.
