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These days, there are so many different styles and types of replacement windows that choosing the best ones for your Cincinnati home is not easy. To ensure you choose the best windows, it’s important to read the window label, but window labels are not always as intuitive as you might hope. Abbreviations and obscure words can make a label seem like it’s in a foreign language! Read on for an explanation of common terms used on window labels so you can be a smarter, more informed window shopper.
The NRFC, or National Fenestration Rating Council, is an organization that tests windows and provides certification for windows’ performance and provides the results of those tests for customers’ consideration. If a window carries the NFRC label, you know that the window has been independently tested to ensure the manufacturer’s claims are true. On the NFRC label, you will see four categories of ratings.
Air leakage refers to the amount of air that passes through a certain window. Usually, this will be a number between 0.1 and 0.3. The lower the air leakage number, the less drafty a window will be – so you want a window with a low air leakage rating.
The U-factor indicates how much heat escapes from a window. You’ll find windows with a U-factor anywhere from 0.20 to 1.20, and you want as low a U-factor as possible for maximum efficiency.
SHGC stands for “solar heat gain coefficient,” a measure of how well the window resists heating up in sunshine. This number is very important if you live in an area like Cincinnati where the summers are warm. SHGC ranges from 0 to 1, and the lower the number, the better.
VT stands for “visible transmittance.” This number between 0 and 1 indicates the proportion of sunlight that travels through the window into your Cincinnati home. You want a high VT to minimize your use of artificial lights. A high VT with a low SHGC means a window lets in plenty of light, but not a lot of heat.
If a window carries the Energy Star label, that means it has met certain energy–efficiency standards set forth by the Department of Energy. The Energy Star label should be considered the bare minimum feature to look for in efficient windows. There are many that go above and beyond the Energy Star standards.
Here are a few other terms you may see on window labels.
This is a type of glass that has been treated with special metallic compounds that cause it to reflect more heat waves rather than allow them to pass through. Renewal by Andersen’s SmartSun™ glass is an example.
If a window label states “argon gas,” that means that argon has been placed between the panes. Argon is a better insulator than air, making argon windows very efficient in cold climates.
You’ll occasionally see the term R-value on a window label. It’s just the inverse of the U-factor. The R-value indicates how well the window insulates; a higher R-value is better.
If you need help comparing window options and choosing the best ones for your Cincinnati home, contact the experts at Renewal by Andersen. We offer free, in–home consultations, and our knowledgeable technicians will tell you everything there is to know about our various windows.