Windows play an important role in a home, both aesthetically and functionally. They provide natural light and ventilation and can also help you save money on energy bills. To ensure your windows are allowing your home to stay at its most comfortable and efficient state, it’s important to consider the SHGC rating of the window.
What Are SHGC Ratings?
SHGC stands for Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. It measures how much solar radiation passes through the window glass into your home. This measurement ranges from 0-1, with higher numbers indicating more heat gain or solar radiation coming through the window into your home. SHGC ratings determine how much a type of glass will block out unwanted heat while allowing natural sunlight indoors.
Benefits of a Good SHGC Rating
Here are some ways having high-quality windows with good SHCG ratings can benefit homeowners:
- Cools Down Your Home – Heat from the sun can cause your rooms to increase in temperature throughout the day in hotter seasons, lowering your cooling bills during summer.
- Reduce Glare – Having windows rated high enough means not worrying about glaring brightness getting past their panels onto furniture surfaces or other areas. This provides better visibility inside the home.
Selecting the Best SHGC Rating For Your Windows
An SHGC rating between 0.25-0.50 is ideal for letting in enough sunlight and heat into your home. Still, depending on your location, you may have to adjust this range slightly higher or lower.
Here are some tips for choosing the best SHGC rating for your windows:
- Consider Climate – Different climates require different levels of insulation from outside elements. Higher ratings will be beneficial in hotter climates as they block more heat and help keep homes cooler. On the other hand, colder regions should aim for lower ratings to get more heat from the limited sunlight they receive.
- Brightness Levels – Higher SHGC ratings can affect the brightness of natural light entering windows. If you want brighter natural lighting, opt for lower SGHC windows. Otherwise, you can go for higher SGHC products.
If you’re looking for windows with a good SHGC rating, Renewal by Andersen of Houston offers a variety of energy-efficient windows that can help keep your home comfortable all year long. Call us at (281) 547-6177 or fill out this contact form to get an estimate.
