When in the market for replacement windows, you will want to assess certain performance values for energy efficiency in order to achieve optimal thermal comfort for your home. In this blog, our window specialists shed light on the main differences between solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and U-value.
SHGC measures the amount of heat from direct sunlight that can pass through the window. This measurement includes the amount of sunlight that passes through the glass and the amount of sunlight absorbed by the glass and then reradiated to the room at a later time. The SHGC rating on labels is represented as a number from 0 to 1. Windows with lower SHGC ratings cut down solar radiation significantly, resulting in lower cooling bills and making them great in warmer climates. On the other hand, homes in cool climates can benefit from windows with high SHGC ratings because they allow for greater solar heating.
While SHGC has to do with solar heat, U-value concerns non-solar heat. U-value also represents how well a window insulates by measuring how quickly heat from hot air can pass through the glass. U-values for windows generally range from 0.20 to 1.20. The lower the U-value rating is, the better the insulating properties of the window, meaning it is better at keeping unwanted heat or cold out. In all cases, regardless of the local climate, windows with good insulation will help boost the comfort of the home.
Roof Masters installs vinyl replacement windows that are custom-made to fit perfectly in the openings of your home. Give us a call at (301) 230-7663, or fill out our online form to get in touch with one of our specialists.