-
Jul17
Fine Tuning Low-E Glass
Filed under: About windows & glass, Energy Efficient Windows; Tagged as: cooling loads, heating loads, insulated glass, Low-E glass, solar energy1 CommentMark Meshulam is an expert witness and consultant for windows, low-e glass and building exteriors.
I feel sorry for anyone charged for the responsibility for choosing or specifying Low-E glass. The choices are nothing short of overwhelming.
Reading glass performance charts can be overwhelming
See for yourself:
Guardian Glass
PPG Glass-Residential
PPG Glass-Architectural
Viracon Glass
Although I have been “doing windows” since 1981, I am still staggered by the volume of information and array of choices available. What seems to be missing in these presentations, and what I hope to provide here, is a starting point and a framework for understanding. Here are some initial thoughts:1. Different Low-E glass makeups are designed for particular climates, and even whether the building is residential or commercial.
2. Low-E Glass has evolved to a point of being so spectrally selective that if you were to tweak your system to the utmost, you would not only make selections based on climate and desired appearance, but you might select different glass by building exposure. This is where we could be in the future, but is not commonly practiced now.
3. U-Values and SHGC of .30 are governmentally encouraged this year through tax credits. Next year they could be mandated in building codes. See resources below.
4. Although the Federal Government is pushing for a universal standard of .30 for U-Value and SHGC, regional differences and specific applications might suggest selected deviations.
And so, in an attempt to de-mystify glass selection, I am putting forward the Chicago Window Expert’s Low-E Glass Design Guide. I invite any commentary you care to contribute. Remember, these are simply guidelines. As opinions come in, as new products are developed and as new codes are implemented, this simple chart is sure to evolve. But for now, her it is…
Design Concepts for the Selection of Low-E Glass
RESOURCES:
International Green Construction Code (IGCC) Now in the Works
International Green Construction Code (IGCC) FAQs
U.S. Green Building Council (LEED)
Green Building Initiative (GBI)
ASHRAE – The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Mark Meshulam, Chicago Window Expert can help you with Low-E glass selection
Confused about Low-E glass?
Even if you are in ,
call me, Mark Meshulam,
the Chicago Window Expert
For the expert attention you deserveMark@ChicagoWindowExpert.com
847-878-8922Subscribe to Chicago Window Expert
Download BrochureBuilding Facade & Glazing Consultant
Expert Witness- Building leaks, window leaks
- Personal injury due to glass breakage, window problems
- Construction defects
Current client locations:
California, Florida, England, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New York, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Wisconsin.
Coming soon to your areaUpcoming travel:
California, New York.
If you are in these areas and need help with your building, call now and save consultant travel expenses.
One Response to “Fine Tuning Low-E Glass”
-
Victor July 22nd, 2009 at 3:48 am
Did Mark see the solar eclipse today?
Leave a Reply
Most Popular Posts
- My Windows Leak!: 44 comment(s) | 15551 view(s)
- Window Glazing Leaks: 19 comment(s) | 6537 view(s)
- Aluminum Window Leaks: 7 comment(s) | 4056 view(s)
- Preparing for a Window Leak Survey: 2 comment(s) | 3181 view(s)
- Leaks and Problems with Vinyl Windows: 10 comment(s) | 2795 view(s)
- Window Sealant Failure: 17 comment(s) | 2715 view(s)
- Window Condensation: Top 10 Fixes: 10 comment(s) | 2681 view(s)
- Annealed, Heat Strengthened, Tempered and Insulated Glass: 6 comment(s) | 2616 view(s)
- Diagnosing Glass Breakage: 23 comment(s) | 2573 view(s)
- Bill Baker of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP: Tall Buildings and the Burj Khalifa: 4 comment(s) | 1470 view(s)
- Testing Leaking Brick Walls: 15 comment(s) | 1421 view(s)
- Insulated Glass Seal Failure: 16 comment(s) | 1407 view(s)
- An Interview with Viracon: 4 comment(s) | 1164 view(s)
- Leaks Through Split Face Block: 6 comment(s) | 1156 view(s)
- The Lowdown on Low-E Glass: 3 comment(s) | 1138 view(s)
- Curtainwall Leaks: 6 comment(s) | 1108 view(s)
- Historic Window Renovation: 9 comment(s) | 1102 view(s)
- Wood Window Leaks: 2 comment(s) | 1060 view(s)
- Window Repair or Window Replacement?: 7 comment(s) | 947 view(s)
- An Interview with Guardian: 4 comment(s) | 942 view(s)
- Chicago Energy Conservation Code for Dummies: 8 comment(s) | 929 view(s)
- Welcome to Chicago Window Expert: 4 comment(s) | 859 view(s)
- Designing Buildings for the Very Windy City: 11 comment(s) | 796 view(s)
- The Future of Windows: 5 comment(s) | 782 view(s)
- Field Museum Window Replacement: 2 comment(s) | 762 view(s)
- Fixing Window Leaks in Tall Buildings: 4 comment(s) | 762 view(s)
- An Interview with Historic Mike Jackson: 2 comment(s) | 728 view(s)
- Thermal Images of Insulated Glass Types: 2 comment(s) | 670 view(s)
- Leaks and Mold in Walls: the dirty little secret: 1 comment(s) | 625 view(s)
- 2009 Web Statistics Revealed!: 4 comment(s) | 612 view(s)
- The Dynamic Water Test: 3 comment(s) | 575 view(s)
- Wynning in Glass Vegas: 3 comment(s) | 478 view(s)
- Does Chicago Code Require Low-E Glass?: 5 comment(s) | 413 view(s)
- Creating a Leak Survey Form: 4 comment(s) | 408 view(s)
- Choosing a Window Consultant or Exterior Building Consultant: 1 comment(s) | 395 view(s)
- Test Your Mettle at Construction Research Lab: 20 comment(s) | 374 view(s)
- Storm Damage to Windows and Glass: 0 comment(s) | 361 view(s)
- Legal Claims and Disputes in Construction: 0 comment(s) | 358 view(s)
- Performing Window Survey: 0 comment(s) | 324 view(s)
- Chicago Window Expert Goes Solar: 8 comment(s) | 301 view(s)
- An Interview with PPG: 1 comment(s) | 288 view(s)
- Documentary Photos for Curtainwall Survey: 0 comment(s) | 286 view(s)
- Fine Tuning Low-E Glass: 1 comment(s) | 261 view(s)
- Low-E Glass for Cooling Loads: 2 comment(s) | 246 view(s)
- News from the Green Front: 3 comment(s) | 233 view(s)
- Documentary Photos for Window Survey: 0 comment(s) | 226 view(s)
- Drowning Worms? An Olympic Eulogy: 0 comment(s) | 223 view(s)
- Keying for Window Leak Survey: 0 comment(s) | 216 view(s)
- CWE Visits Solar Power Plant: 1 comment(s) | 212 view(s)
- Envision the Wind in a Blizzard: 1 comment(s) | 134 view(s)
Recent Comments