Window Low e Glass

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Low-e Window Glass Intro

Low-e window glass is actually a pretty fascinating subject given all of the advances in the technology over the past several years. There are now lots of options available to consumers in terms of the right low-e glass for your home and climate. While a knowledgeable contractor or window company should be able to suggest the right low-e option for your window replacement project, it's never a bad idea to understand the basics of how this works.

Dane - Site Editor - Original Publish Date - March 15, 2015
Page Last Update: February 22, 2026

Page Sections

• Window Low-e Glass Introduction
• Low-e Glass Basic Information
• Low-e Windows Cost And Prices
• Window Low-e Glass Q And A

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Low-e Window Glass Basics

Low-e stands for low emissivity, which is a measure for how much heat is tranferred through the surface of the glass. Clear glass is the least expensive and most simple home window glass available. It has no layers or coating applied to the surface and is therefore does not filter out any of the heat from the UV rays. Low-e glass has one or more thin layers of coating (made up of metallic particles) that are applied to the surface that act similarly to a sieve. These layers help to filter out heat (long wavelengths), while allowing light (short wavelengths) to filter through.

However, recent advances in the actual materials that make up the coating, the number of layers and how the layers are stacked on top of one another opens up lots of different options. Low-e glass manufacturers can get lots of light into a room, while still keeping the U-factor low. They can help reduce fading to carpet and furniture that comes from the UV rays. They can increase the insulating value by adding an argon gas to the coats. They can raise or lower SHGC, solar heat gain co-efficient, by altering the layers and adding a tint. In addition to the SHGC, manipulating the tinting can affect performance etc.

Low-e Windows Cost

Some window manufacturers have five or six different glass options, which are all priced out slightly differently. The cost of low-e glass will depend on the grade and thickness of the glass, the number of layers or coating, as well as any tinting that is added. A simple low-e glass often comes standard on many windows, although some manufacturers try to lower the initial price of the window by only including a clear glass.

In general, a window low-e glass upgrade can run anywhere from $50 to $150 per window (depending on how many layers or how many upgrade levels you go). So this is $50 to upgrade from a clear glass to low-e. $75 to upgrade from low-e to low-e2, and $125 to $150 to upgrade to a low-e 3. Of course, most manufacturers have clever names for their glass package upgrades so the price point will vary by manufacturer.

-- Price Range: $50 to $150 upgrade per window --

Window Low-e Glass Q And A

Explore our window low-e glass questions and answer sets, glass options, issues, upgrades, and much more. Additionally, we welcome your questions on the topic - please send these our way and we're more than happy to give you our two cents (that will hopefully send you hundreds).

Dane - Site Editor

Arizona Recommendations

Hi, I am searching for a good replacement window for the hot Arizona climate. I want something that is energy efficient but not too bulky because I want to be able to install flush mounted shutters after the windows are installed. What would you recommend in a low to mid price range? Vinyl vs aluminum windows?

Mary Jo - Homeowner - from 2026

[Site Editor's Answer]

Mary Jo, first off I would say don't get a low end vinyl window, not in the hot Arizona sun, this will likely cost you more money in the long run. A mid range vinyl window should suffice. I would recommend you get a bid from a local company that sells the Milgard Tuscany window. Ask them if they sell aluminum as well and if so have them bring a sample for you to pick up etc. and get a price on both of those.

Anlin services Arizona and is a good brand. They offer several nice models. Amerimax Windows And Doors also should have local reps and I would get a bid from them. Finally, find a Simonton dealer who sells the Impressions Series and/or the Simonton Reflections window series. These are the two series that I like from Simonton.

Explain to the reps that you want to flush mount your blinds and assuming you know the dimensions, have them show you how deep by measuring the vinyl windows and how deep they will sit and whether that will leave enough room for the blinds. Do this with each of the companies that comes out. By the third bid you will have a good idea whether this is going to work or not.

Remember that bulky and energy efficient stand in direct contrast -- a bulky vinyl frame typically offers good performance, while a thin frame will usually sacrifice some performance.

- Site Editor - from 2026

IntelliGlass Plus Triple Pane Question

Dane, the brochure I have says the Edison is made by Vinylmax windows. The glass is called IntelliGlass Plus Triple Pane Low E/Argon with a U-factor of .20, SHGC of .27, DP35 and VLT of 44. Are these any good?

Cathy - Homeowner - from 2025

[Site Editor's Response]

The Edison Window, which is promoted on their site as the Ideal Window, looks to be one of their upgraded models. The triple pane numbers look good - do you need triple pane windows, I would be curious how the double pane window numbers compare. In general, vinylmax is a solid mid range manufacturer that makes good straight forward vinyl windows.

I think in terms of the actual window, you should be good to go with the Edison model. Now, what about window installation cost? Make sure to find a good company that you feel comfortable with and who is going to provide you with quality installation, a fair price and provides a 1 or 2 year labor warranty on the work.

Good luck and let me know how it all goes!

Dane - Site Editor - from 2025

Low-e Window Prices

My other question is do I upgrade the DLA to the DLA_UV_HC for $99/window? or from DLA to DLA_UV for $49/window.?

Mark - Homeowner - from 2024

[Site Editor's Answer]

Mark, I tend to think their low-e glass option is just fine myself. If you did value better energy efficient replacement windows (at the cost of a slightly darker glass tint), then an upgrade makes sense. I would stick with the DLA to DLA_UV for $49/window myself.

Dane - Site Editor - from 2024

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