What Makes a Window Good for a Hot Climate?

Not every window is designed for the same climate. Some windows that can perform exceptionally well in a cold climate won't be ideal in a climate like Nevada. Hot climates like Las Vegas place a much bigger priority on controlling Solar Heat Gain to keep indoor spaces a lot cooler and more comfortable. When purchasing a window, you’ll want to look out for things like a low SHGC, U-Factor, Low-E Coatings and more.

Low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

You’re probably looking at the title of this section and wondering what this means. Well Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is just how much of the sun’s radiation/heat gets through the window. A lower SHGC means you’ll have less of the sun’s heat getting through the window, which is something you’ll likely want less of in a home that's located in Las Vegas. The obvious fact here is that in a climate as sunridden as Nevada is, you’ll want less heat coming through your windows. Make sure to inspect the labels of the windows you’re buying, or specifically request certain windows when buying new ones. (EnergyStar)

Consider Low-E Glass

Low-E glass is glass that is treated with a transparent, microscopic, metallic coating that goes over your windows, it filters out all the harmful UV radiation your sun emits. You can likely imagine how this would work in Nevada. With the sun beating down on you all day, it would be nice to get a window that keeps all those things out. It also works backwards, being able to keep heat in during the winter months. You can’t ask for this to be put on your glass once it’s installed, as this coat goes on during the production process of your window glass. (DOE)

Choosing the Right U-Factor

The U-factor of your window just indicates the level of insulation it brings. The lower the number, the better. This scale ranges from 0.20 to 1.20, with .20 being the best level, and 1.20 being the worst amount of insulation you could have from your windows. So when you’re shopping for windows for your Nevada home, you have to make sure to get the lower numbers. This keeps the cold air inside, while keeping all the hot air outside. That doesn’t mean you need to find a window with the lowest you can get, so a .20, but you should find one that is low enough where you’re comfortable with the number you see. (EnergyStar)

Look for Windows With Many Panes

Insulated glass is just a fancy way of saying glass with many panes. This can range from 2 panes to around 3. These panes also usually have argon gas in between them. This gas keeps stuff like moisture and outside debris out. Without the gas, you’ll likely see moisture trapped between each pane, this indicates a leak in your seals so make sure to regularly check for any broken or worn seals. Insulating glass is just good to keep your home warm or cold depending on the time of year. (EnergyStar)

Look at the Whole Window, Not Just The Glass

When you’re shopping for new windows, you can’t just look at the glass. We’ve talked about SHGC and Low-E, but these shouldn’t be your deciding factors on buying a window. Things like the frames, spacers, glazing, seals, and even installation are all factors as to how well your window will keep the heat out of your home. So when you’re buying a window, compare the overall score rather than buying one solely based on the individual performance ratings it has. (NFRC)

If you don’t trust yourself with this task, you can always hire a professional. Professional window installers and window sellers will always know the window better than you, and this should be taken advantage of. Go to a window seller you trust when buying your windows, like Window World, which has gained the trust of millions of homeowners all around the U.S in its many franchising locations.