How to choose between selective and low-e glass

In order to choose the most suitable glass for your home you need to know its characteristics: let’s discover the difference between selective and low-e glass

16-05-2024

When you build or renovate your home it is important pay attention to the fixtures. Among the choices to be made is the one regarding window glass, which must be carefully selected from all the available options. In particular, you may find yourself choosing between selective glass or low-emissivity glassbut to make an informed decision you need to know about it characteristics, differences, strengths and weaknesses and it is important to be clear about your needs.

Both selective and low-e glass offer important advantages, but a wrong choice can reduce energy efficiency and living comfort. Let’s find out how to avoid making mistakes and how to understand which is the best solution for your home.

What is selective glass and what advantages does it guarantee

Selective glass is a particular type of glass that is made with a magnetron treatment, i.e. through a chemical process that fixes silver ions on the glass. It is designed for allow optimal temperature control of the house and the sunlight that passes through the windows.

Select the air that can enter the interior of a property e blocks UV and infrared rays, allowing the passage of only light radiation. Due to its characteristics it allows you to reduce the use of systems for cooling and heating the home.

Reduces heat transmitted from windows during all the summer months, preventing the environment from overheating. In winter and in the colder seasons, on the contrary, they retain and conserve heat. For all these reasons, selective glass is called four-season glass or solar control glass.

The advantages are obvious: by avoiding overheating of rooms, it reduces dependence on air conditioning and heating, guaranteeing savings on bills. It also has a weakness. By filtering the sun’s rays, it may slightly reduce the natural lighting in your home.

What is low-emissivity glass and what advantages does it guarantee

Low-emissivity glass is the most frequently chosen. It is made by applying a special transparent treatment to one of the glass sheets leading to the reduction of thermal transmittancei.e. the diffusion of heat towards the outside, and which reflects the heat itself towards the inside.

It is, in fact, a solution specifically designed for avoid heat dispersion and improve the thermal insulation of the house. It maximizes living comfort especially in the colder months, helping to maintain the ideal temperature inside the house. Reduces condensation, mold and ice formation on windows.

Even in this case, the guaranteed advantage is one reduction in bill costs since in the colder months there will be less need to use heating systems.

Which one to choose between selective and low-e glass?

Both types of glass guarantee advantages, first of all the economic one resulting from a lower cost of the bill. Advantages obtained only if you select the right option for your home.

There are several factors that determine the best glass to install on the windows of your home. The location where the building is located it is certainly crucial. Who lives in areas where the climate is harsher and temperatures are low in most of the year, you must opt ​​for the solution that guarantees less heat dispersion towards the outside and reduces the use of heating. Yes deals with low-emissivity glass.

If the building is located in a geographic area where the climate is milder and in most of the year the temperatures are medium or high it is good to opt for a selective glasscapable of protecting against ultraviolet and infrared rays and limiting overheating in the home.

But it doesn’t end here. Also the exposure of the house can influence the choice of glass. On windows facing south, south-east and south-west of the house it is preferable to install selective glass. On windows facing north, low-emissivity glass is recommended.

In the same house it is not necessary or obligatory to insert the same type of glass, but a mix can be created to make the most of the characteristics of each and adapt them to the exposure of the building and the various rooms. It is always good to rely on qualified professionals, able to provide the right indications based on the user’s needs and the structure of the house.

Do you want to install new windows in your home? With PagineGialle Home you can get up to five free estimates directly to your inbox for consultation without obligation.