What types of framing materials are available with energy efficient windows?
Typical framing materials include wood, vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, and composites. Manufacturers often combine materials to use the best features of each. For example, a variation of the wood-framed window is to clad—or cover—the exterior face of the wood frame with either vinyl or ...
- What type of window should I consider when building a new Florida home?
Limit windows facing East and West as these would be subject to the greatest amount of sun exposure. In general, the most efficient window designs start at a minimum of three feet off the floor and end a maximum of six to seven feet from the floor. This design allows people to see out of the win ...
- Sometimes I see ratings for windows, while other times just the glass rating is displayed—what's the difference?
A glass rating—logically enough—will indicate how the glass (glazing) itself performs. But a window is made of more than glass. The framing material, the number of panes of glass and air spaces between the panes, any coatings applied to the glass...all these are components of the win ...
- I want to replace my windows with more energy efficient ones. What is the Visible Transmittance (VT)?
This measures how much light comes through a product. The visible transmittance is an optical property that indicates the amount of visible light transmitted. VT is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The higher the VT, the more visible light that is transmitted. Dark tinted coatings can sign ...
- I want to replace my windows with more energy efficient ones. What is the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)?
This measures how well a product blocks heat caused by sunlight. The SHGC is the fraction of incident solar radiation admitted through a window, both directly transmitted, and absorbed and subsequently released inward. SHGC is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. A window with an SHGC rating o ...
- I want to replace my windows with more energy efficient ones. What is Condensation Resistance (CR)?
This measures the ability of a product to resist the formation of condensation on the interior surface of that product. While this rating cannot predict condensation, it can provide a credible method of comparing the potential of various products for condensation formation. CR is expressed as a ...
- I want to replace my windows with more energy efficient ones. What is Air Leakage (AL)?
This is indicated by an air leakage rating, expressed as the equivalent cubic feet of air passing through a square foot of window area. Heat loss and gain occur by infiltration through cracks in the window assembly. The lower the AL, the less air will pass through cracks in the window assembly. ...
- I want to replace my windows with more energy efficient ones. What is the U-Factor??
The U-factor or Value measures the amount of heat that escapes through the product. The lower the rating, the better the window is at preventing heat loss (as imagined, this is more of a concern in northern climates). NFRC certified products require U-Factor ratings. In Florida, always look for ...
- Are energy-efficient window designs tested for durability?
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA), and Keystone Certifications, Inc. conduct voluntary design pressure tests for structural pressure, air infiltration, water penetration, and operational force. For those living in hurric ...
- Can I get a rebate on the cost of solar window film to reduce my energy costs?
Although federal credits are not currently available for window films, our local energy provider, Progress Energy does provide an incentive for putting this technololgy to work in your home. Window films are like sunglasses for your windows. Cutting down on the solar load, thus heat, can help y ...
- What are “energy efficient” or “high performance” windows? How do I know which windows keep out the most heat (solar heat gain)?
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) provides energy performance labels (See illustration) on windows, doors, and skylights voluntarily tested by a third party for how well the product will perform the functions of cooling your home in the summer, heating your home in the winter, keep ...
