When you're choosing window replacement for your home, what kinds of aspects are you considering? You're likely thinking about design styles and achieving an overall aesthetic for your home. But how about how solar heat gains can affect your windows? This blog will discuss solar heat gains and what it means for your home.

We're Alenco, and since 1986, we've been a top home remodeling company in Kansas. Over the years, we've learned a lot and gained valuable insight that we love to pass on to our clients and future clients. Let's discuss solar heat gains, and learn a few tips and tricks.

What Are the Solar Heat Gains?

In your windows, insulated glazing units absorb light in three ways; conduction, convection, and radiation. With solar radiation being the primary way that heat is absorbed, solar heat gain coefficient, or SHGC, is the standard measurement used in the United States (ask your window installation company if they know that!) 

How to Read SGHC

SGHC can be measured on a rating between 0 and 1. The lower the rating, the less heat is transmitted through your windows and into your home. So, for a more thermally controlled indoor setting, you would want windows with as low as an SGHC that you can find.

Why SGHC is Important

When developers design homes or commercial buildings, they want the inside of the building to be energy-efficient and thermally controlled. Developers will consider which direction the sun faces to determine the level of windows necessary for the installation.

How to Reduce SHGC on Replacement Windows

To keep your home nice and cool during those hot summer months, you'll want to do everything that you can to reduce SGHC. Here are a few ways that you can reduce SHGC on your windows:

  • Add Outdoor Shading with Trees and Bushes
  • Consider Tinting for Your Windows
  • Invest in Low E-Coating

Call the Local Window Installation Experts Today

While many window companies in Kansas will try to sell you various replacement window features, not many will educate you on things that really matter to the overall efficiency of your home, like SGHC. Alenco is proud to be the local window company that you can rely on for expert advice and quality installation services. If you want to know more about SGHC or need window replacements for your home, give us a call for a free, no-obligation estimate.