Glazing Surfaces
For Southern Ontario homes Trust Build Windows and Doors are using soft coating LowE. Lets discuss glass which surface of glass unit LowE coating is applying to. For double glazed units, If you’re looking from outside, surfaces are: number one, two, three, and the last surface facing inside ofthe room is surface number four. For triple glazed units:
Surfaces are: exterior glass (surface 1 and 2), center glass (surface 3 and 4) and interior glass ( surface 5 and 6) For Double Glaze Units Usually lowE coating applied to the surface either or and ( 2 or 3 or 2 and 3)
For Triple Glaze Units surface (2 or 5 or 2 and 5) for triple glass. For Greener Home Government Rebates, U-Factor (Related to LowE coating) must meet the government criteria. What is the purpose of LowE Coating? Before we discuss LowE
we need to understand 3 lights are known. Also lights could be called radiation.
Light 1:
light delivering visibility ( visible light). It measures in lux (lumens per square meter) or foot-candles (fc).
1 foot candle is just a bit more than 10 lux. We would like to increase amount of light penetration trough
the glass, still reduce heat ( in warm climate) and UV light.
Light 2:
UV light. This light is not visible to human eye. UV (Ultra Violet) light is damaging furniture, floors, etc. LowE
coating is reducing the amount of UV getting trough the glass. When you are deciding on amount of UV Light elimination, beside furniture, you need to take for consideration plants
inside the house and pets live with you.
Light 3:
Infrared (IR). This light also related to delivering heat and LowE Coating will block or reduce amount of IR Light penetrating trough the glass.
1.Hard coating usually good for colder climate, where solar heat is important and coating must maximize penetration trough the glass. LowE coating usually apply to surface number two or a surface number three. It’s different opinions, what surface will be the best for the coating. Lets say coating will apply to surface number 2. In this case
the sun impact or (heat waves (IR) heat will be reduced before
getting in contact with the spacer and glass unit will last longer. Disadvantage: the grills between the glass will be darker. By applying the coating on surface number 3 and having front glass clear, the colour of the grills will be as desired, but with
more heat impact on the spacer.
Me personally will defiantly recommend to apply lowE coating on surface number 2 for either double or triple glass units. Soft coating is usually using for warmer climate as its better blocking Infrared Radiation.
Lets to discuss different type of coatings.
LowE 180- applies one layer of silver with 80% of visibility. Minimum amount of UV and IR will be blocked.
LowE 272- applies 2 layers of silver with 72% of visibility. LowE 366- applies 3 layers of silver with 66% of visibilities. Each LowE will block heat accordingly. The bigger the number
of coatings, the lesser heat will penetrate trough the glass. For very hot rooms customer can combine coatings to achieve
max result in reducing heat waives.
For example, customer can combine for lowE180 plus LowE366 or can combine LowE366 plus LowE366.
Customer needs to choose glass inits according to climate they
live, humidity level in the area and side of the house. For example, for North Side, were no sun exposure, in my opinion, for region like Barrie, in my opinion, LowE180 will be the good choice. For South side of the house I will recommend lowE 272 or
LowE 366. Please keep in mind, that higher coating will block more heat waves and excessive amount of humidity inside the house will create more condensation on the glass.
To make the right choice of glass coating and how to apply for
Greener Home Grant contact Trust Build Windows and Doors.