Window repair in Evanston

Window repair entails a very wide range of processes – from chiseling out minor rotten parts to replacing whole window frames in decrepit houses that are being reinvigorated – to replacing the glass broken by a stray ball. We’ve gone over certain aspects of window repair in other posts, and now, for the first time, we’d like to touch upon the types of window glass.

Window glass replacement is sometimes required when the glass pane breaks, whatever the reason may be, or as a part of window insulation services offered by many companies. Aside from other steps that need to be taken to achieve greater energy efficiency, glass may be replaced.

If you think that glass is just glass, and there’s no difference between any two glass panes, think again. Different types of glass vary greatly in their thermal and solar performance, and one of the most recent developments in the window glass industry is low emissivity (low-e) glass. What’s different about it and how are its features conducive to greater energy efficiency?

Low emissivity glass types and differences

The solar energy spectrum comprises ultraviolet, visible and infrared light, with different wavelengths. Low-emissivity coatings act to minimize the amount of infrared and UV light that’s allowed to pass through glass. Meanwhile, the amount of visible light that passes through it remains unchanged.

The general idea is to keep UV and infrared light out, while keeping the heat inside in the winter and not letting excessive heat inside in the summer. Emissivity is the ability of any given material to radiate energy. Low emissivity coatings allow to lower the amount of heat loss manifold. That is achieved by reflecting the heat energy trying to escape through the glass surface back inside, basically making it act as a thermos. The insulating benefits are apparent, as are the savings on the heating bill.

Wood window repair in Evanston

There are two types of low-emissivity coatings, passive and solar control. They differ in the way they treat solar heat – the former aims to maximize the gain from solar heat for a ‘passive heating’ effect, while the purpose of the latter is, on the contrary, to keep excessive solar heat out. Coatings have other characteristics that affect he performance of the windows, and we suggest you contact us for a comprehensive evaluation and a consultation on window repair in Evanston.