Window Coatings

A transparent or translucent material (glass or plastic) that may be applied to directly to the glass surface or to thin sheets of plastic film that are suspended in the air cavity between the interior and exterior glazing layers that determine how easily heat can move through the window—or the U-factor. Coatings can be used on windows, skylights, or greenhouses.
 

 What Makes It Green:

Coatings are used to admit light and/or to reduce heat transfer.
On the south, we want the winter sun to be able to enter the house so use a coating that transmits the most sunlight.
On the west and east, more summer sun enters windows so a coating that transmits less sunlight.
Low-emissivity (LOW-E) coating prevents heat loss in winter months and has a metallicized look.

Window Glazing

Windows can be purchased with single, double, or triple panes. The temperature on the outside of the glass will be almost the same as on the inside due to heat conduction through the glazing or glass. Double and triple pane windows have two or more layers of glazing separated by layers of air or inert gasses such as argon or krypton

What Makes It Green:

These layers of gas greatly increase the insulation value of double and triple pane windows. They provide a more comfortable environment and lower heating and cooling costs

Window Frames

The materials used in the construction of window frames affect the overall insulation capability of the window and the quality of their installation determines how much air leakage occurs through them. Wood and vinyl frame windows are the most popular; other windows are framed with aluminum.

What Makes It A Green Product:

Wood should come from properly managed forests or be certified by a third-party organization. Certified wood is widely available.
Recovered and Salvaged wood is widely available and should be used provided all appropriate documentation is presented.
To reduce the negative environmental impact of using vinyl windows (see below) be sure the windows are made from waste or recycled vinyl instead of virgin material.
Aluminum windows can and should have high-recycled content.

 

8 types of Renewable energy