If you are in the market for some new windows or new replacement windows in Wyandotte Michigan for your home, you know that there are lots of options to choose from. Styles, sizes, add on features and materials are all important decisions that you need to make. But something that is often overlooked is the glass itself. Not all glass is the same for windows, and if you don’t look at the labels, you may end up getting less than you bargained for.

What The Labels On Windows in Wyandotte Michigan Really Mean For You

Most windows come with a National Fenestration Rating Council, or NFRC sticker that gives you more information about the glass and how it responded to testing. To make sure you are getting what you want out of your new windows, you need to understand the different scores and test results provided and how it impacts performance. Talking with your windows contractor can help you better understand how each rating can affect your home and the performance of the windows once they are installed. Here are some details about the information that is provided on the window label:

What Is The NFRC?

Most people know to look for the Energy Star rating when searching for new windows or appliances. But something that will tell you far more about the windows you are looking at is the NFRC label. This is because they are a not- profit organization that tests windows independently to assess how well they will perform.

Window Label Name

While you will see the name of the window and the company that manufactures it on the top of the label, there is also some crucial information that is overlooked in favor of the scores provided. Under the company name and title of the widow model, you will also see what material the frame is made of, if there is any glazing, gas fillings, or coatings. This means you are buying windows that already have some of the additional features that provide greater efficiency to your home. If nothing is listed, you will need to look into getting them added on yourself as a custom feature.

U- Factor

Even though your windows will be surrounded by insulation when installed, it is still important to get glass that is well insulated. The U- factor rating measures how insulated the glass pane is and how well it will keep heat inside your home. U-factor scores range from between 0.20 and 1.20. The closer to 0.20 the score is, the better the insulation is.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

If your windows are not able to properly block the sun’s rays from getting in through the glass, it can end up impacting the temperature inside your home. This also means increased cooling costs as you run your air conditioners and fans more. To prevent this, you want to find a window with a low solar heat gain coefficient score. The scores range from zero to one, so the closer you are to zero, the better for preventing unwanted heat gain.

Visible Transmittance

For darker homes that need more natural light, you want to pay attention to the visible transmittance score. The score ranges from zero to one, and the closer to one the windows are, the more light they let in. Tinted windows, windows with coatings and stained glass windows will all have less visible transmittance than a purely glass window.

Air Leakage

Ideally, no air should be flowing through your windows when sealed shut and locked. But there will still be a small bit that gets through. To prevent as much air leakage as possible, you should look for the lowest possible score. Air leakage scores range from 0.1 and 0.3, so aim to get as close to 0.1 as possible.

Condensation Resistance

When the temperatures outside are drastically different from inside your home, you can see condensation on your windows. With condensation comes moisture on your windows, which can lead  to warping, rotting and molding of porous materials. To prevent condensation in your home, you want to find windows that have greater condensation resistance. Scores range from zero to 100, and the closer to 100 they are, the less condensation you can expect to see on your windows.

Get Help from a Qualified Contractor

In order to better understand how each window will perform in your home be sure to talk with a licensed contractor before purchasing. Many times the contractor will be able to get better pricing and can pass those savings on to you as well. Call All Point Construction today at 734-407-7110 for a free quote on windows for your home and get a free consultation as well to help you determine which windows are best for your home.