One of the most common questions from someone who is interested in buying new windows is in regards to the appearance of Low-E glass. There is a misconception that Low-E glass is very dark and hard to see through.

Over the years, glass manufacturers have made significant strides in increasing the thermal performance of Low-E glass while minimizing the darker tints.

Technically “clear” glass only transmits 81% of visible light. Most standard Low-E glass allows 72% of the visible light through, while the higher performing Low-E glasses might allow 64% through.

Although it might sound like that is stopping a lot of the visible light, consider your car. The top 6 inches of your windshield is more tinted than the rest and the side windows are far more tinted than clear glass. Most people don’t find those levels of tint “too dark” when they consider the thermal and UV benefits that this tinting offers.

Also think about the windows in your office building. Many office buildings are built with or recently renovated to have Low-E glass. Does it look “too dark” when you look out of your office window?

While “dark” is a matter of personal preference, most people don’t even notice that their windows have Low-E glass once they are installed. If you have any concerns, speak with the salesperson that you are working with. They will have several glass samples for you to review to make the decision of what will work best for your home.