LoE Glass
What is LoE glass?
The term LoE means low emissivity. Put simply, a piece of LoE glass has a metallic coating that filters long wavelengths (heat) and allows short wavelengths to pass through. Cardinal LoE glass delivers a proprietary, state of the art sputtered coating on the glass that creates the ideal balance between light control, visibility, and energy efficiency. With Cardinal LoE glass in your Window Mart windows, you can rest assured that you will have beautiful, high-quality windows that fit your budget and your needs. At Window Mart, we exclusively use Cardinal LoE glass.
In Winter
Low emissivity glass, or LoE glass, serves to significantly reduce your home’s energy costs in the bitter cold of Canada’s winter months. The proprietary coating works as a reflective layer that effectively prevents interior heat loss by radiating heat back into your home.
In Summer
In the heat of summer, LoE glass windows help reduce the flow of hot air into the cool interior. The expertly formulated LoE coating applied to the exterior of the glass reflects radiant heat away from your home, so every room in your home stays comfortably cool all summer long. Additionally, LoE coatings effectively deter ultraviolet (UV) rays from damaging your home’s interior furnishings.
There are 4 main things to consider when looking at new windows for your home:
- Affordability,
- Quality,
- Visual Appeal, and
- Energy efficiency.
What many homeowners do not realize, however, is that energy efficiency is not a one-size-fits-all rating. There are several factors that influence the energy-efficiency of windows. Depending on your local climate, budget, and aesthetic preferences, some window options will be more suitable for your unique needs than others.
Terms
When researching windows and energy-efficiency, there are several common terms that you may come across. It is important to understand what these mean so that you have a better awareness of what each type of glass has to offer and how that will impact your decision-making process.
This refers to the amount of solar radiation (in the form of heat) that passes through the glass into your home. A low SHGC value means that the glass effectively blocks solar radiation and thus reduces heat transference, as well.
This term refers to energy that is transferred through glass that represents relative fading rates. The lower the fading transmission value, the greater the ability of the glass to reduce fading on indoor furnishes, such as carpets and window coverings.
The U-Factor is the measurement of heat flowing through the glass. When you see a U-Factor value, it is important to know that the smaller the number, the better insulation the glass provides (less heat transference).
An air leaking rating, or AL, refers to the amount of air (measured in cubic feet) that passes through a window. AL ratings are essential for window manufacturers to obtain ENERGY STAR certification. A lower AL measurement indicates less air leaks through the window and thus you can expect better energy efficiency.
Visible transmittance, or VT, describes the level of visible light that passes through the glass. For example, a VT of 0.5 would indicate that 50% of light is getting through the window into your home, whereas VT 0.98 would mean 98% of light is dispersed.
The condensation resistance of glass is rated on a scale of 1 to 100, where 100 represents the highest level of resistance. While the condensation resistance rating is not always included on energy efficiency labels, it is still an important factor to consider.
LoE Glass Options for Windows
LoE 180
Blocks out the cold, lets in the light.
Cardinal’s LoE 180 glass features a single layer coating that delivers outstanding performance in cold climates. These passive solar windows effectively retain, reflect and diffuse solar energy.
LoE 180 glass is designed to improve the overall comfort levels of indoor environments by evenly balancing indoor and outdoor temperatures.
Key Features:
U-factor of 0.26
- LoE 180 is optimally rated at a U-factor of 0.26, which is one of the best achievable ratings for window insulation and heat transfer.
SHGC rating of 0.69
- With an SHGC rating of 0.69, LoE 180 prevents dramatic transmission of solar heat, allowing you and your household to feel comfortable indoors, whether you are in the heat of summer or the cold of winter.
- Compared to double pane clear windows, LoE 180 glass windows are 10% less likely to gain solar energy in the summer – that means long-term savings for you.
Blocks 71% UV rays
15% internal and external natural light reflectance
- With an internal and external reflectance of 15% of natural light, more daylight can enter your home than with ordinary LoE coated windows.
Recommend for:
- Cold weather climates
- North facing windows
| Inside glass and outside temperatures | ||
| IG Type and Coating | -30ºC Very Cold Outside |
-10ºC Cold Outside |
| Single-pane, Clear | -19º | -3º |
| Ordinary low-e | 2º | 9º |
| Double-pane, Clear | 7º | 13º |
| LoĒ-180 (air fill) | 9º | 14º |
| LoĒ-180 (argon fill) | 10º | 15º |
LoE 272
Glass for all climates
With an advanced coating, LoE 272 glass has incredible all-season performance. On hot days, both heat and UV rays are blocked so you and your family will stay nice, and cool. Alternatively, in the dead of winter, the warmth inside your home is maintained and does not escape thanks to LoE2 technology.
If greater solar control is your preference, than the LoE2-272 is the better fitting option. LoE 272 delivers superior year-round comfort and long-term energy savings. In fact, the LoE2 coating outperforms many tinted glass options installed in warmer regions.
Key Features:
Reduces window heat gain by 50% compared to ordinary glass
- SHGC for LoE2-272 is 0.41. Comparatively, a single pane of ordinary glass has an SHGC of 0.86. A number that high suggests an extremely hot and sweaty indoor environment…or an A/C bill that is through the roof. LoE2 technology significantly improves indoor comfort levels and reduces summer energy costs.
U-factor – .03 air filled; .25 argon filled
- Remembering that the lower the U-factor the better insulating properties glass has, LoE2 coating significantly reduces heat loss in the colder months.
LoE2 glass coating protects the interior of your home from fading due to UV exposure
- LoE2-272 has a UV Fade Transmission rating of only 0.16. Regular, uncoated glass only offers a UV fade transmission rating of 0.71.
Recommend for:
- Windows for entire house
- Moderate solar control for all weather conditions in most climates
| Inside glass and outside temperatures | ||
| IG Type and Coating | -30ºC Very Cold Outside |
-10ºC Cold Outside |
| Single-pane, Clear | -19º | -3º |
| Ordinary low-e | 2º | 9º |
| Double-pane, Clear | 7º | 13º |
| LoĒ²-272 (air fill) | 9º | 14º |
| LoĒ²-272 (argon fill) | 10º | 15º |
LoE 366
Ultimate glass for all climates
With a third layer of proprietary glass coating, Cardinal’s LoE3-366 glass adds solar control without sacrificing clarity. This high-performance glass lets more light in while keeping the heat out so that you can enjoy the comfort of your home, year-round.
When used in a double-pane window, LoE3-366 glass can achieve compliancy in all 4 ENERGY STAR climate zones. It is the ultimate glass to protect your home from the damaging effects of UV rays, reduce heat transfer (and in turn save you money on energy bills), and still provide a clear view.
Key Features:
UV Fade Transmission is 0.05
- 95% of sun’s damaging UV rays (which are responsible for fading of your window coverings, upholstery, and other furnishings in your home) are filtered. Comparatively, original LoE coating offers 50% UV Fade Transmission
65% VT
- Visible light transmittance through a LoE3-366 glass window is 65%. External reflectance is 11% and internal reflectance is 12%. With LoE3-366 you have the benefits of tinted glass, without sacrificing natural light in your home.
SHGC is 0.27
- Low SHGC makes LoE3-366 ENERGY STAR compliant in most places. The lower the SHGC rating, the more solar energy that is being blocked, which keeps your home cooler and more comfortable on hot days. For comparison, a regular single pane of glass has a SHGC of 0.86 – that is a significant difference!
U-factor of 0.24
- The lower the U-factor, the less heat that is escaping your home. LoE3-366 glass is extremely efficient at insulating. In a double-paned argon filled window, the U-factor for LoE3-366 is only 0.24. Comparatively, a single pane of regular glass has a U-factor of 1.04, indicating incredible heat loss.
Recommend for:
- South and west facing windows
- All climate regions
| Inside glass and outside temperatures | ||
| IG Type and Coating | -30ºC Very Cold Outside |
-10ºC Cold Outside |
| Single-pane, Clear | -19º | -3º |
| Ordinary low-e | 2º | 9º |
| Double-pane, Clear | 7º | 13º |
| LoĒ³-366 (air fill) | 9º | 14º |
| LoĒ³-366 (argon fill) | 11º | 15º |
LoE i89
Heat is reflected, not lost
Cardinal’s proprietary LoE i89 coating is a smooth, scratch resistant addition to the 4th (inner most) surface of your windows. With the addition of LoE i89, you can rest assured that your windows will meet the strictest energy guidelines.
The LoE i89 coating significantly improves the U-factor of your windows. This means that the glass reflects as much heat as possible back into your home, so you never have to worry about the bitter cold outside. LoE i89 perfectly compliments other LoE glass options, boosting energy efficiency and ultimately saving you money.
Key Features:
Significantly reduces U-factor of glass
- The proprietary LoE i89 coating gives LoE 180 coated glass a U-factor of 0.21 compared to LoE 180’s original U-factor rating of 0.26. This means less heat escaping your home and, ultimately, more money in your pockets – even in the coldest of climates.
Can improve SHGC rating
- LoE 180 glass alone has an SHGC of 0.68 whereas LoE 180 + LoE i89 rates at 0.62. A lower SHGC rating means a cooler home on hot, summer days.
Easy to clean and scratch resistant
- Enjoy clarity with LoE i89, as it delivers a haze free coating that makes it easy to clean and protects against scratching.
Annealed glass option
- Annealed glass provides you with a more affordable option for your windows.
Recommend for:
- Coldest climates
- Improving U-factor and SHGC without having to upgrade to triple-paned windows
- Added fading protection
- Combining with other LoE options for ultimate performance
| Visible light | Fade Transmission | Solar | U-Factor | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG Type and Coating | Trans-Mittance | External Reflectance | Internal Reflectance | UV | ISO | Heat Gain Coefficient | Air Fill | Argon Fill |
| LoĒ-180, LoĒ-i89 |
77% | 15% | 14% | 0.27 | 0.61 | 0.62 | 0.24 | 0.21 |
| LoĒ²-272, LoĒ-i89 |
70% | 11% | 11% | 0.16 | 0.53 | 0.41 | 0.23 | 0.20 |
| LoĒ²-270, LoĒ-i89 |
69% | 12% | 12% | 0.14 | 0.51 | 0.36 | 0.23 | 0.20 |
| LoĒ³-366, LoĒ-i89 |
63% | 11% | 11% | 0.05 | 0.41 | 0.27 | 0.23 | 0.20 |
| Visible light | Fade Transmission | Solar | U-Factor | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG Type and Coating | Trans-Mittance | External Reflectance | Internal Reflectance | UV | ISO | Heat Gain Coefficient | Air Fill | Argon Fill |
| LoĒ-180, LoĒ-i89 |
70% | 8% | 20% | 0.13 | 0.84 | 0.50 | 0.26 | 0.20 |
| LoĒ²-272, LoĒ-i89 |
63% | 15% | 18% | 0.08 | 0.75 | 0.44 | 0.25 | 0.20 |
| LoĒ²-270, LoĒ-i89 |
62% | 17% | 19% | 0.07 | 0.68 | 0.43 | 0.25 | 0.20 |
| LoĒ³-366, LoĒ-i89 |
57% | 11% | 18% | 0.02 | 0.43 | 0.36 | 0.25 | 0.20 |
LoE Neat+
Cleaner. Greener. New Neat.TM
Cardinal’s patented Neat+ coating helps keep your windows cleaner, longer. It is an environmentally friendly addition to your windows, as it reduces the need for excessive use of cleaning products and water to remove dirt and other contaminants. This exclusive technology uses the power of nature to break down greenhouse gases and other pollutants that attach themselves to the surface of your windows.
Additionally, Neat+ can be applied at the same time as other LoE coatings, lessening the total amount of energy required for the application process.
Key Features:
Does not impact benefits of other LoE coatings
- Neat+ only reduces the need to wash your windows and nothing else. Fade transmission, VT, SHGC, and U-factor remain unchanged with the additional layer.
40% less dust on your windows
- The special coating provided with Neat+ technology makes the glass surface more conductive than uncoated glass. Due to the dissipation of static charge, dust is far less likely to cling to the surface. The result is a window that requires far less maintenance than windows without Neat+ technology applied.
Breaks down greenhouse gases and other pollutants
- In a special double-sputtering process, titanium dioxide and silicon are applied to the glass surface. When the titanium dioxide is exposed to UV radiation, a chemical reaction begins and greenhouse gases and other pollutants that are on the window begin to decompose.
| Visible light | Fade Transmission | Solar | U-Factor | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product/ Coating |
Trans-Mittance | External Reflectance | Internal Reflectance | UV | ISO | Heat Gain Coefficient | Air Fill | Argon Fill |
| LoĒ²-272 | 72% | 11% | 12% | 0.16 | 0.55 | 0.41 | 0.30 | 0.25 |
| NEAT+ with LoĒ²-272 | 72% | 11% | 12% | 0.16 | 0.55 | 0.41 | 0.30 | 0.25 |
| LoĒ³-366 | 65% | 11% | 12% | 0.05 | 0.43 | 0.27 | 0.29 | 0.24 |
| NEAT+ with LoĒ³-366 | 65% | 11% | 12% | 0.05 | 0.43 | 0.27 | 0.29 | 0.24 |
Request Consultation
Windows are an essential part of your home and deciding which type of glass is the best fit requires consideration of several factors. Your design and style preferences, the climate where you live, the orientation of your home, and what kind of budget you must work with will all impact which glass option will provide the most value.
Our friendly and knowledgeable team can help you with your decision. Contact Window Mart today for a FREE window and glass consultation!
