Rating Terms In The Window Replacement World

When you are planning on window replacement in Las Vegas, NV, there are a lot of things that will be important to the project. You want the right style for functionality and appearance. You want the right color for aesthetics. And you definitely want the right ratings for efficiency. But have you ever bought new windows before? Do you really know that much about the ratings on the labels? Here are some of the ratings you’ll see and what they mean to give you a head start on reading the important labels.

SHGC

The SHGC stands for the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. This measurement ranges from 0 to 1 and smaller numbers are better. You can tell how much solar radiation will come into your home from the sun’s heat based on this reading. Some windows will take in more heat than others and you’d probably like for your window to transfer as little heat as possible into the house.

U-Factor

The U-factor is another important rating that ranges from 0 to 1. Low numbers are also good here as it will tell you that the window resists heat flow. Windows with high insulation might have something like a nice low .15 rating while mid-range windows could read more like .4. You’ll save more money when you see a lower number in this rating category.

VT

VT stands for Visible Transmittance and it doesn’t have as much to do with efficiency, but rather how much light comes through the window. The ratings are between 0 and 1 again and if you want something that dims the light, getting a rating closer to 0 is better. If you want more natural light, look for something close to 1 instead. You can also have an impact on this rating with tinting, glazing, and other changes.

Air Leakage

This rating indicates just what is sounds like—the amount of air that moves through the window. You want a low rating here because no one wants air leaks on replacement windows.

When you look over the numbers on a few different window replacement options, you will quickly start to notice the variances. One good place to start is by looking for windows with Energy Star labels. These labels ensure that the window has met a standard in your area. There are better windows under this label, but starting there and comparing at that point can help you quite a bit.

If you’d like professional help reading labels, contact Master Craftsmen Inc. for window replacement in Las Vegas, NV. Whether you’re just starting to look into things, or you know basically what you want for the project, we’re here to help. We treat your home like our own and we make recommendations as professionals that we feel would best suit your goals. Give us a call for a free consultation at (702) 330-7907 or you can meet with us in person and see labels yourself at 7850 Dean Martin Dr Ste 502 Las Vegas, NV 89139.