Glass performance greatly impacts the ability of a window or door to be ENERGY STAR® certified and nobody takes energy efficiency more seriously than Andersen and American Craftsman.
Andersen products feature high-performance glass that is heat strengthened for increased durability and has argon gas blend used between the glass panes for additional insulation. This is why Andersen products with high-performance glass carry a transferable Owner-to-Owner® 20-year limited warranty. We even cover the glass with a removable translucent film for added protection during the installation process.
American Craftsman products feature a variety of energy efficient glass options including optional argon gas blend to increase insulation and performance.
Glass Options
Choosing the Right Glass
No matter what type of project you're doing, Andersen and American Craftsman have a variety of glass options to fit the needs of your home.
Low-E / Low-E4® Glass
Offers excellent year-round thermal performance where both heating and cooling costs may be a factor by reflecting heat away from your home in the summer and helping to keep heat inside in the winter.
Ideal for: All Climates
Ideal for: All Climates
SmartSun™ Glass
Helps shield your home from the sun’s heat and filters out 95% of harmful UV rays while still letting sunlight shine through.
Ideal for: Southern Climates
Ideal for: Southern Climates
Sun Glass
For intense sun areas, Sun glass is tinted to block the most heat from entering the home, helping to reduce cooling costs.
Ideal for: Southern Climates
Ideal for: Southern Climates
PassiveSun® Glass
Allows more heat form the sun's rays into the home, helping to reduce heating costs in colder climates.
Ideal for: Northern Climates
Triple-Pane Glass
While the added energy efficiency of triple-pane glass can be beneficial in all regions, its impact is most significant in colder climates where more months of the year are spent heating the home. The extra pane of glass improves thermal performance and helps keep more heat in and cold air out, meaning inside temperature is less effected by the temperatures outdoors. Triple Pane glass is only available on our Andersen A-Series windows and patio doors.
Ideal for: Northern Climates
HeatLock® Technology
HeatLock® coating can be added to most of our glass options and reflects escaping heat back into the home to help improve thermal performance and reduce heating costs during colder months.
Dual-Pane Glass
Offers basic thermal performance with high visibility. See local code official for code requirements in your area.
Additional Glass Options
Coastal Protection: Some products are available with impact-resistant glass for coastal areas, visit our coastal page for more information. See your local code official for requirements in your area.
Laminated Glass: For added strength, enhanced security and sound control.
Tempered Safety Glass: Standard on all patio doors and at times is required by local building codes on windows depending on size and location.
Patterned Glass: To let in light while providing a greater degree of privacy.
Other Glass Considerations
Along with helping our products achieve the performance needed to be ENERGY STAR® certified, it's important to understand the reasons why glass selection matters.
U-Factor: Indicates how well a product prevents heat from escaping, which can lead to lower heating bills in cold weather. The lower the number the better.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): Measure how well a product blocks heat caused by sunlight, which can help lower cooling costs in warmer months. The lower the number, the more it blocks heat from the sun.
Visible Light Transmittance: Refers to the amount of light that comes through the glass and is not the same across glass options. Glass tints or additional coatings help make glass better performing, but can affect visible light transmittance.
UV Protection: How well glass blocks ultraviolet rays, which can damage interior surfaces such as carpet, furniture and drapes.
U-Factor: Indicates how well a product prevents heat from escaping, which can lead to lower heating bills in cold weather. The lower the number the better.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): Measure how well a product blocks heat caused by sunlight, which can help lower cooling costs in warmer months. The lower the number, the more it blocks heat from the sun.
Visible Light Transmittance: Refers to the amount of light that comes through the glass and is not the same across glass options. Glass tints or additional coatings help make glass better performing, but can affect visible light transmittance.
UV Protection: How well glass blocks ultraviolet rays, which can damage interior surfaces such as carpet, furniture and drapes.