Best Glass Window Options For Hot Climates

Climatic changes and global warming is becoming major issue in the world today. Hot areas are becoming even hotter now. The techniques that were used to lower the effect of heat in the houses are now losing   their impact. More rigorous measures need to be taken in order to maintain a suitable temperature inside the house. Investing in more robust air conditioning systems is not the only option. As it would lead to an increase in energy consumption which would eventually lead to a surge in your energy bills.
House Windows are responsible for most of the energy losses. Ordinary glass windows are ineffective in blocking excessive heat.

On the contrary, there are multiple energy efficient window glass alternatives. Nowadays, homeowners are actively looking for solutions to reduce their energy usage. This is particularly true for people living in extremely hot regions. Considering the significance of window glass, we will discuss the best windows for hot climates in this blog. Read on to pick the right one for your home.

What is Meant by Heat Reducing Windows?

Heat reducing windows employ glass that reduces or completely blocks the flow of heat through the glass. They usually have a multi-pane structure with an inert gas in between the glass panes  to block the flow of air through the glass. Some heat reducing windows also have a special window film coated over the glass surface. This window coating prevents solar heat gain and protects against glare and ultraviolet exposure. These window films are transparent. So they are a perfect pick for homeowners who are concerned about glare and solar heat gain but don’t want to restrict the view with other window treatments. These heat reducing films offer the best results when they are applied to the double glazed windows.

What Type of Glass Windows are Best for Hot Climates?

Windows occupy around 15% of the wall area of a house structure. Finding the ideal windows that will ensure energy savings and maximize the flow of natural light is very important to optimize the comfort level inside the house. You can find a number of great options for window glass. Here are a few recommendations from our side. Given below are the window types that ensure maximum energy efficiency and practical value. 

• Insulated Glass Windows

Insulated Glass is one of the best window glass options there is. It has two or more glass pans in its basic structure. The glass panes are separated by a spacer material which is typically an inert gas or just an air vacuum. The inert gas or vacuum doesn’t let the outside air travel through. Thus preventing the outside temperature to alter the interior temperature. The multi-pane structure along with the insulating spacer material makes insulated glass a very effective option against heat gain.

• Double Pane Glass Windows

Double pane glass windows are another prevalent style for home windows. It normally has a hollow area in between the two panes of glass. Argon or another inert gas is injected into the hollow cavity to increase heat insulation. Double-pane windows can cut heat transfer by up to 24% which makes them a great option to beat the heat. 

• Triple Pane Glass Windows

Triple pane windows have three panes of glass with insulation material in between the glass panes. An inert gas is typically used to fill the space. Due to the use of three glass panes, triple pane glass windows are unparalleled in strength and thermal insulation value. They are an effective option for very hot regions. However, condensation may appear in triple pane windows due to the difference in the interior and exterior temperatures. 

• Low-e Glass Windows

Low-e glass is one of the types of windows that reflect heat. It is among the best glass options for windows in hot regions. Traces of metal oxide are added to the glass in order to create a heat resistant coating. This coating restricts the harmful rays of light from entering the home. When the sun’s rays hit the Low-e window glass, they are reflected back into the environment. This prevents the home interior from becoming overheated by the sun. Thus keeping the temperature inside the house lower and reducing the energy bills. 

Does Thicker Glass Windows Reduce Heat?

Thicker glass windows have a very slight impact on heat reduction. There is a very small difference in the heat reduction value of a thin and a thick glass pane. The spacer material plays a vital role in this regard. The right spacer material can minimize heat gain to a great extent. However, the thickness of the glass is effective with respect to sound insulation. You can experience better noise reduction with a thicker glass pane as compared to a thin window glass. 

Cost Estimate of Heat Reducing Windows

Considering the global climatic changes, windows that reflect heat are the need of the hour. Therefore, heat reducing windows are quite easily available. The cost of a standard energy efficient window is around $300 to $800. However, the price would vary largely based on the size of the window, the location of installation, the extent of customization, and the type of window. A triple pane window would cost more than a double-pane counterpart. The local labor cost would also impact the overall project cost.

Concluding With Some Final Thoughts

Living in hot areas is a true struggle. It can easily become uncomfortable if you don’t take the right measures. Every homeowner living in an excessively hot area desires house windows that last for a long time, minimize midday heat gain, and maximize natural light. Heat reducing windows are the one-size fits all solution to this problem. They shield you from UV rays and glare while also minimizing energy costs. According to statistics, the  right window glazing can deliver a heat gain of 75% in the winter and a heat loss reduction of 70% in the summer. S it’s important to consider the functional value of your windows and find the best windows for hot climates to ensure comfort!