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Glass & Window Frames
Did you know there are two elements to a window? The glass & window frame, each has its own performance information that you should know!
The glass & the window frame has their own independent U values and the glass has SHGC values:
U is the measure how a window conducts and losses heat. This measure is expressed by a number from 10 to 0. the lower the number the better it is at losing less heat. The SHGC, which stands for Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, is the measure of the windows ability to control heat transfer from solar radiation, in other words, how much light & heat passes through it. This measure is expressed between 0 and 1, the lower the number, the less solar heat passes through the window.
The U value of the glass alone will the quiet high, while the window frame will be high. While only the glass has the SHGC, but the frame affects it due to its thickness. So when looking up at the window specs, make sure you look at the combined U and SHGC values of the entire window system, which includes the glass and window frame.
There is however a third value that is also important, which is VLT, it is a value of the percentage of natural light passing through the window. The lower the value the less light the window will allow making the house darker.