Beat the heat with efficient window treatments
Both low-E glass and window film can help insulate windows.
Low-E glass filter out heat while allowing light inside.
Window film is a lower-cost option but may impact your view.
What is right for your home: low-E glass or window films? You should keep several factors in mind when you are deciding between low-E and window film. Low-E glass windows increase your home’s value while also fixing drafty windows, and this is an attractive alternative to putting plastic on your windows. However, window film offers a quick, low-cost, less permanent solution for reducing UV rays.
Should you pick new windows with low-E coating or heat-blocking film? Take a look at the pros and cons of both.
A permanent, built-in solution, low-E windows are "low emissivity" windows that filter out the long wavelengths of heat while allowing the short wavelengths of light to pass through. Windows with low-E coatings deflect UV and infrared light back outside.
Increase energy efficiency
Won't obscure your view
Won't obscure sunlight
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that low-e windows reduce heat loss by up to 50%
Durable
"Invisible" benefits that don't alter the look of your window
Keeps window cleaning costs and efforts low
Repels dirt and sand
Repels water particles from sticking to glass surface during rain
Reduces condensation
Protects floors, walls, and furniture from UV damage
These energy-efficient windows cost $300 to $1,000 per window
Expensive installation compared to normal glass
It's necessary to upgrade all windows in a home for a uniform look
Upgrading just one window won't boost efficiency by much
View can be mildly hazy compared to normal glass—most people say it’s unnoticeable
A sun-blocking window film or tint can be a good cost-saving option. The film comes in sheets or rolls that you can buy at home improvement stores or online. You cut the film to size as needed, then simply peel the window film and stick it to the window. The average cost of solar reflective films on the market is between $6 and $14 per square foot.
Inexpensive
You can pick and choose which windows to cover
Doesn't require window removal and replacement
Can peel after a few years
May darken your view
Can make windows look shiny
Won't fix the problem if the underlying heat-loss cause is window fit
You'll need to fix drafty windows first to get the benefits
Applying aftermarket films can void the window manufacturer's warranty
Heat-blocking, low-emissivity (low-E) windows and films both work to reduce your heating and cooling bills by blocking out UV rays. They also prevent the general transfer of heat. That means that you're preventing heat loss in the winter and stopping heat entry in the summer.
When choosing between low-E glass and window film, the difference comes down to how big you want the project to get and the quality of your window frames.
If you have an older home with drafty windows, installing low-E glass along with repairing the frames is a great option. You won’t get any benefit from applying a film if the window itself is poorly fit and allows heat transfer. If your windows are well-fit, you can opt to apply a blocking film instead.
Upgrading to low-E glass means hiring a local window repair contractor for a total house upgrade to avoid mismatched windows. Applying film is a DIY project that lets you just cover the windows that need blocking.
Although you can find window film with decorative patterns and styles, a big benefit to low-E glass is that the views from the window aren’t darkened or blocked like they are with film. Just make sure to update all of your windows at the same time for the best look.
Most attractive: Low-E glass
Wondering which energy-saving window solution is right for your home? Take a look at the key categories to consider when strategizing for lower energy bills. While both options can help reduce heat loss, low-E glass is a more effective solution for improving efficiency.
Most efficient: Low-E glass
If you have an older home, a window film may not be enough to reduce your energy bills. Your heat loss could come down to insufficient window frames, which you will replace when installing new windows with low-E glass. Before spending money on heat-blocking window films, have a pro assess your windows for energy loss.
Best for older homes: Low-E glass
If you recently built a home without low-E windows, your newer windows are probably still energy efficient. While replacing your newer windows may not be economical, adding window film can boost the energy efficiency that's already there.
Best for newer homes: Window film
If you're ready to replace the windows in your entire house, this is an opportunity to upgrade to low-E windows. While the project cost will be higher, this is a chance to "seal in" the entire house and lower your lifetime energy costs.
Best for the entire home: Low-E glass
Adding low-E windows to just one room or portion of your home because you need a window repair or replacement won't create a "sealing" effect the way that redoing all of your windows will.
As a result, replacing just one window with low-E glass may not give you a good return on investment. This is where sun-blocking window film allows you to enjoy the benefits of reducing heat transfer in a strategic area of your home without the big financial investment. You can simply measure the window you need to cover, then go buy the appropriate amount of window film.
Best for one room: Window film
With an average expected cost of $730 per energy-efficient window, you can expect to pay $300 to $1,000 per window during your low-E upgrade. Compare that to $150 for each 3 by 5 window when installing window film in a house.
Best price: Window film
If you plan to stay in a house for the long term, you'll get back your investment in low-E glass through reduced energy savings. While high-efficiency windows do help resale value, you're not guaranteed to recoup the full return on investment if you do a whole-house window upgrade.
Also, remember that window film is better as a temporary solution. This film may peel off after a few years, and it won’t last nearly as long as low-E glass.
Best for the long-term: Low-E glass
