Windows & Doors Review: Peak PerformaceHigh-tech window glazings reduce energy costs and keep houses more comfortable.

  • By Jeffrey Lee

Continued from page 2

Low-E4 glazing, now standard on all 400 series windows, deflects radiant heat, reduces glare, and cuts ultraviolet light by 83 percent, while incorporating a sunlight-activated exterior coating that reduces dirt buildup and water spots, the maker says. The 400 series also includes a clear protective film applied to the interior and exterior sides of the glass, removed after installation, to provide additional protection against installation hazards and construction site debris. 800-426-4261.

Anderson Windows


Andersen Windows. Low-E4 glazing, now standard on all 400 series windows, deflects radiant heat, reduces glare, and cuts ultraviolet light by 83 percent, while incorporating a sunlight-activated exterior coating that reduces dirt buildup and water spots, the maker says. The 400 series also includes a clear protective film applied to the interior and exterior sides of the glass, removed after installation, to provide additional protection against installation hazards and construction site debris. 800-426-4261.

The manufacturer's standard glazing options include insulating Low E II glass with argon gas fill; triple-pane glazing is available as an upgrade. The manufacturer also offers simulated divided lites with or without spacer bars; authentic divided lites; removable grilles; and grilles between the glass. 888-537-7828.

Marvin


Marvin. The manufacturer's standard glazing options include insulating Low E II glass with argon gas fill; triple-pane glazing is available as an upgrade. The manufacturer also offers simulated divided lites with or without spacer bars; authentic divided lites; removable grilles; and grilles between the glass. 888-537-7828. www.marvin.com.

ClimaGuard SPF, a glass coating technology proven to block 99.9 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays, according to the firm, is available on almost all of the company's wood and vinyl windows. ClimaGuard SPF windows will prevent sun damage to typical household furnishings for 15 years or more, the maker adds. 800-433-4873

Hurd


Hurd. ClimaGuard SPF, a glass coating technology proven to block 99.9 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays, according to the firm, is available on almost all of the company's wood and vinyl windows. ClimaGuard SPF windows will prevent sun damage to typical household furnishings for 15 years or more, the maker adds. 800-433-4873. www.hurd.com.

Maxuus 10 is a triple-pane assembly combining two lites of multilayered vacuum-deposition soft-coat low-E insulating glass with an interior glass substrate, creating two insulating chambers of krypton gas. The result is an insulated glass unit that is nearly 10 times more energy efficient than single glass, according to the manufacturer. 419-666-5555.

Great Lakes Window


Great Lakes Window. Maxuus 10 is a triple-pane assembly combining two lites of multilayered vacuum-deposition soft-coat low-E insulating glass with an interior glass substrate, creating two insulating chambers of krypton gas. The result is an insulated glass unit that is nearly 10 times more energy efficient than single glass, according to the manufacturer. 419-666-5555. www.greatlakeswindow.com.

WinGuard impact-resistant and vinyl and aluminum windows and doors are available with a choice of high-performance glass tints that reduce solar heat gain, increase comfort, and help manage energy costs, according to the manufacturer. WinGuard units with vinyl frames feature heavy-duty multi-chambered construction and come standard with laminated insulating glass. Laminated insulating glass is an option for WinGuard with aluminum frames. 877-550-6006.

PGT


PGT. WinGuard impact-resistant and vinyl and aluminum windows and doors are available with a choice of high-performance glass tints that reduce solar heat gain, increase comfort, and help manage energy costs, according to the manufacturer. WinGuard units with vinyl frames feature heavy-duty multi-chambered construction and come standard with laminated insulating glass. Laminated insulating glass is an option for WinGuard with aluminum frames. 877-550-6006. www.pgtindustries.com.

Electronically tintable skylights allow control of the amount of light and heat that enters a room. Applying a safe, low DC voltage via a control switch, remote, or automatic timer causes the electrochromic layers on the skylight to darken, and reversing the voltage polarity causes the layers to lighten. The skylight allows 62 percent light transmission in its clear state, and 4 percent light transmission in its darkened state. 800-888-3589.

Velux


Velux. Electronically tintable skylights allow control of the amount of light and heat that enters a room. Applying a safe, low DC voltage via a control switch, remote, or automatic timer causes the electrochromic layers on the skylight to darken, and reversing the voltage polarity causes the layers to lighten. The skylight allows 62 percent light transmission in its clear state, and 4 percent light transmission in its darkened state. 800-888-3589. www.veluxusa.com.

The manufacturer offers several glass packages. The triple-glazed glass package features krypton-filled, triple-paned glass; two double-strength, low-E surfaces; a single-strength clear divider; a solid silicone foam spacer; and a 1-inch insulating glass unit. It offers a center-of-glass U-value of .11, an R-value of 9.09, and a solar heat gain coefficient of .33, the manufacturer says. 800-746-6686.

Simonton


Simonton. The manufacturer offers several glass packages. The triple-glazed glass package features krypton-filled, triple-paned glass; two double-strength, low-E surfaces; a single-strength clear divider; a solid silicone foam spacer; and a 1-inch insulating glass unit. It offers a center-of-glass U-value of .11, an R-value of 9.09, and a solar heat gain coefficient of .33, the manufacturer says. 800-746-6686. www.simonton.com.

Prestige series Ultra films are clear, metal-free window films that help hold the glass together to protect against would-be intruders and flying glass during severe weather, while measurably reducing the heat and UV rays that enter the home, according to the manufacturer. Because the films are clear, they do not change the appearance of the home. 888-364-3577.

3M


3M. Prestige series Ultra films are clear, metal-free window films that help hold the glass together to protect against would-be intruders and flying glass during severe weather, while measurably reducing the heat and UV rays that enter the home, according to the manufacturer. Because the films are clear, they do not change the appearance of the home. 888-364-3577. www.3m.com.

Series 9500 replacement double-hung windows come with standard double-strength, LoE2 glass that provides both energy savings and improved sound control, according to the manufacturer. The 7/8-inch insulated glass uses Intercept Warm-Edge spacers and is Energy Star-compliant in all 50 states. Other options include tempered glass, tinted glass, obscure glass, laminated glass, and argon gas fill. 800-234-4228.

Silver Line


Silver Line. Series 9500 replacement double-hung windows come with standard double-strength, LoE2 glass that provides both energy savings and improved sound control, according to the manufacturer. The 7/8-inch insulated glass uses Intercept Warm-Edge spacers and is Energy Star-compliant in all 50 states. Other options include tempered glass, tinted glass, obscure glass, laminated glass, and argon gas fill. 800-234-4228. www.silverlinewindows.com.

LoE3-366 glass is now available as an option for the manufacturer's windows and doors. Providing year-round, all-climate comfort, the specially formulated glass allows 66 percent visible light transmittance, minimizing exterior reflectance to avoid heavy bronze or smoke-colored tints that may darken a home's appearance and view, the maker says. It also blocks 95 percent of the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays. 800-955-8177.

Kolbe


Kolbe. LoE3-366 glass is now available as an option for the manufacturer's windows and doors. Providing year-round, all-climate comfort, the specially formulated glass allows 66 percent visible light transmittance, minimizing exterior reflectance to avoid heavy bronze or smoke-colored tints that may darken a home's appearance and view, the maker says. It also blocks 95 percent of the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays. 800-955-8177. www.kolbe-kolbe.com.

The ImpactGard window system includes laminated glass, which has an interlayer sandwiched between two sheets of glass to deliver extra impact resistance. The interlayer is 100 times more rigid than the industry standard, according to the manufacturer, so it delivers five times the tear strength. Even if the glass cracks under pressure, the fragments will adhere to the interlayer. The insulated version also uses a low-E coating. 800-535-3936.

Jeld-Wen


Jeld-Wen. The ImpactGard window system includes laminated glass, which has an interlayer sandwiched between two sheets of glass to deliver extra impact resistance. The interlayer is 100 times more rigid than the industry standard, according to the manufacturer, so it delivers five times the tear strength. Even if the glass cracks under pressure, the fragments will adhere to the interlayer. The insulated version also uses a low-E coating. 800-535-3936. www.jeld-wen.com.

The manufacturer's windows are available with numerous glazing options: a sound-reduction system; the StormForce series; and Heat-Smart Plus Window Systems 1, 2, and 3, which use argon gas and Low E2 technology. Each of the three systems delivers a different level of thermal performance, according to the manufacturer. 800-563-9367.

Loewen


Loewen. The manufacturer's windows are available with numerous glazing options: a sound-reduction system; the StormForce series; and Heat-Smart Plus Window Systems 1, 2, and 3, which use argon gas and Low E2 technology. Each of the three systems delivers a different level of thermal performance, according to the manufacturer. 800-563-9367. www.loewen.com.

The Designer series collection has both double- and triple-pane glazing options to help keep a home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, according to the manufacturer. Windows and doors with triple glazing and laminated glass can reduce exterior sounds by more than 80 percent, the maker adds. The series also offers snap-in/snap-out blinds, shades, decorative panels, and grilles. 800-374-4758.

Pella


Pella. The Designer series collection has both double- and triple-pane glazing options to help keep a home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, according to the manufacturer. Windows and doors with triple glazing and laminated glass can reduce exterior sounds by more than 80 percent, the maker adds. The series also offers snap-in/snap-out blinds, shades, decorative panels, and grilles. 800-374-4758. www.pella.com.

Zo-e-shield glazing systems are custom engineered to improve a home's energy usage while protecting and enhancing comfort levels according to the manufacturer. They use multiple layers of low-E coating and inert gas-filled airspaces. Zo-e-shield is available in three performance levels, and also comes with EasyCare easy-clean coating. 800-222-2995.

Weather Shield


Weather Shield. Zo-e-shield glazing systems are custom engineered to improve a home's energy usage while protecting and enhancing comfort levels according to the manufacturer. They use multiple layers of low-E coating and inert gas-filled airspaces. Zo-e-shield is available in three performance levels, and also comes with EasyCare easy-clean coating. 800-222-2995. www.weathershield.com.

SunCoatMAX low-E insulating glass is now an upgrade option on the manufacturer's full line of windows and patio doors. The triple-coating technology provides a new level of solar heat gain control, energy efficiency, optimal UV protection, and year-round comfort, and it will yield up to a 34 percent solar heat gain reduction over two-coat low-E technology, the manufacturer says. 800-645-4273.

Milgard


Milgard. SunCoatMAX low-E insulating glass is now an upgrade option on the manufacturer's full line of windows and patio doors. The triple-coating technology provides a new level of solar heat gain control, energy efficiency, optimal UV protection, and year-round comfort, and it will yield up to a 34 percent solar heat gain reduction over two-coat low-E technology, the manufacturer says. 800-645-4273. www.milgard.com.

The manufacturer's newest and best-performing triple-glass system, Ultra Master III, features two of the industry's most advanced low-E coatings, a proprietary spacer system, and krypton gas between the glass panes. The system achieves U-values as low as .15 and excellent solar heat gain coefficient ratings, according to the company. Ultra Master III is one of five glass systems offered. 724-465-1800.

Gorell


Gorell. The manufacturer's newest and best-performing triple-glass system, Ultra Master III, features two of the industry's most advanced low-E coatings, a proprietary spacer system, and krypton gas between the glass panes. The system achieves U-values as low as .15 and excellent solar heat gain coefficient ratings, according to the company. Ultra Master III is one of five glass systems offered. 724-465-1800. www.gorell.com.

Using high-performance material from Cardinal Glass Industries, windows featuring the Windsor glazing system include 3/4-inch dual-pane LoE2 insulated glass with argon gas and are designed to meet or exceed Energy Star guidelines in all zones. The windows will use all-foam Super Spacers that reduce heat and cold conduction. 800-283-3399.

Windsor


Windsor. Using high-performance material from Cardinal Glass Industries, windows featuring the Windsor glazing system include 3/4-inch dual-pane LoE2 insulated glass with argon gas and are designed to meet or exceed Energy Star guidelines in all zones. The windows will use all-foam Super Spacers that reduce heat and cold conduction. 800-283-3399. www.windsorwindows.com.

The Thermaflect glazing system was created to balance all the benefits of low-E glass-saving heating and cooling costs, protecting against UV damage, and keeping the room bright, according to the manufacturer. The system is a double-pane insulated unit with low-E coating on the inside surface, an argon gas fill, and a spacer between the panes made of low-conductance material. 800-233-8990.

CertainTeed


CertainTeed. The Thermaflect glazing system was created to balance all the benefits of low-E glass-saving heating and cooling costs, protecting against UV damage, and keeping the room bright, according to the manufacturer. The system is a double-pane insulated unit with low-E coating on the inside surface, an argon gas fill, and a spacer between the panes made of low-conductance material. 800-233-8990. www.certainteed.com.

Heat Mirror, a technologically advanced low-emissivity and solar-reflective film, can be applied inside an insulating glass unit to provide insulating values ranging from R-6 to R-12. For maximum insulation, the dual-film unit creates three insulating cavities that provide 95 percent of the insulation performance of an R-19 insulated wall. 800-365-8794.

Southwall


Southwall. Heat Mirror, a technologically advanced low-emissivity and solar-reflective film, can be applied inside an insulating glass unit to provide insulating values ranging from R-6 to R-12. For maximum insulation, the dual-film unit creates three insulating cavities that provide 95 percent of the insulation performance of an R-19 insulated wall. 800-365-8794. www.southwall.com.

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