As the summer heats up, people are starting to realize that their air conditioning is simply not enough. This is in large part due to solar heat gain on untreated windows in homes here in San Antonio. Solar heat gain seeps through glass and heats up the air you are paying to cool. The two most common solutions are window tinting or window replacement with Low-E glass. Find the answer to which one is better for your home below.
Window Film Costs Less Than Low-E Glass
Based on current RSMeans data, removing existing dual-pane windows and replacing them with dual-pane Low-E glass will cost you about $40 and $55 per square foot. Low-E window film, spectrally selective specifically, is about $9-$30 and gives about the same results as Low-E windows. Making it a superior choice.
Window Film is Easier to Install
New windows are difficult to install and take a long time to get in. Existing windows need to be removed, some new windows need to be reframed or custom size windows are required. Window film is a less-expensive alternative and only takes about a day to install on nearly any size San Antonio home.
Window Film Comes With Added Benefits
Low-E windows work well to cut down on solar heat gain and glare–but two benefits you will get from them. Window tinting also significantly lowers solar heat gain, keeping your home cooler, but comes with a lot of other benefits. It cuts down on glare, blocks UV rays, adds privacy, and turns any window into tempered glass.
Low-E windows are effective for battling solar heat gain but they are not as well-suited for most homeowners that want to reduce heating bills and have a speedy ROI.
For more information on Low-E and spectrally selective window film, contact us at Window Film San Antonio today!