Back in 2000 I was wowed by a demonstration of low-E windows and had a few local window companies come out and give me quotes to replace my windows and patio doors. Carl from Advanced Windows gave me the best price and vibe as someone I wanted to work with. I purchased 2 Milgard patio doors and an International window. The benefits of the dual pane low-E glass made my townhouse warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. At the time I had to get window frames made out of aluminum due to vinyl frames not matching the color of the aluminum frames per the HOA. The problem with aluminum frames is they conduct heat very well so during the summer the aluminum got hot and transferred some heat inside. In the winter the aluminum got cold and made it chilly next to the window/patio door.
Low-E 3 specifications
Now temperatures have been rising due to global warming and it gets uncomfortable during heat waves. I looked into replacing my original window in the kitchen which was the last original construction single paned window and the International window in the hottest room in the townhouse.
Advanced Window quoted me Milgard windows with low-E3 glass with vinyl frames, EdgeGuardMAX spacers, and argon gas fill. The technology behind low-E glass is now in it’s 3rd generation. The solar heat gain rating would decrease from the original .36 to .21. That and the vinyl frames which don’t conduct much heat should make it cooler in the summer.
The Milgard kitchen window is a huge improvement. Normally you can feel the cold radiating from the glass and the aluminum. Now the glass is cool but the vinyl frame is at room temperature.
39F outside
At night I put a car sun shield against the glass.
Then I position car sun shields over the window opening. With dual layers of car sunshields I measured the temperature at sunset and sunrise. It was 2-3 degrees colder at sunrise. The dual pane window also made my kitchen quieter. The car noise outside is less noticeable.
The Milgard bedroom window has also been a huge improvement. The room was freezing late at night and in the morning due to cold seeping through the window frame and glass. Now the frame is room temperature and the glass is cool instead of cold. Inspecting the room in the morning during this cold wave the room is cooler than I’d prefer but no longer freezing. The downside to the low-E3 glass is in the winter the sun isn’t warming it in the daytime as much as before.
Advanced Window has great customer service after the install. Maggie noticed they didn’t caulk the outside of the window. I contacted them about it and now it’s nicely caulked.
The new windows are moderating the temperature fluctuations. I am looking forward to being cooler this summer.
My other posts about what I’ve done to avoid using the AC:
Very cool the improvements continue! And it sounds like you found a great company to work with. I’ve thought about doing more home improvements but the negotiation/bid process always turns me off – I’ve had some real duds stop by to do walk-throughs and give quotes!
Thanks! Now that I’m home almost all the time I’m getting more unhappy about the cheap parts my place is constructed with. I’m much more motivated now to make everything just the way I want. The low-E 3 windows are making a big difference in our comfort level.
I hear you. My motivating factor is the resale value of my home. A project I started last year was redoing the floors, but I only got half the rooms done since the contractor turned out to be a nightmare. If you’ve got a flooring person you trust and recommend please let me know!
Not moving now but planning ahead. I’d rather renovate and get to enjoy some of it rather than pouring thousands of dollars into the house exclusively for the next people to benefit. I managed to get the kitchen and one bathroom done last year before firing the contractor nut lol.
They’ve done such a great job with the new window installation! I look forward to the sliders being done in the future as I’m sure they will be stellar. Upgrading the home is such a good investment as it increases the value.
Very cool the improvements continue! And it sounds like you found a great company to work with. I’ve thought about doing more home improvements but the negotiation/bid process always turns me off – I’ve had some real duds stop by to do walk-throughs and give quotes!
Thanks! Now that I’m home almost all the time I’m getting more unhappy about the cheap parts my place is constructed with. I’m much more motivated now to make everything just the way I want. The low-E 3 windows are making a big difference in our comfort level.
What are you looking to upgrade?
I hear you. My motivating factor is the resale value of my home. A project I started last year was redoing the floors, but I only got half the rooms done since the contractor turned out to be a nightmare. If you’ve got a flooring person you trust and recommend please let me know!
Are you looking into moving? I haven’t done the floors. Sorry. That sucks your place is half done.
Not moving now but planning ahead. I’d rather renovate and get to enjoy some of it rather than pouring thousands of dollars into the house exclusively for the next people to benefit. I managed to get the kitchen and one bathroom done last year before firing the contractor nut lol.
I plan on staying. The property taxes are too high now.
They’ve done such a great job with the new window installation! I look forward to the sliders being done in the future as I’m sure they will be stellar. Upgrading the home is such a good investment as it increases the value.
The quality of the windows and the installation is impressive. 🙂