About Brian McElroy Expertise I am a home builder in the Tampa Florida area specializing in energy-efficient homes built with precast concrete wall systems that are hurricane resistant to 235 mph. I have researched and used many methods of new home construction and find this the most cost-effective, environmentally-friendly method of home building for this area. I am also investigating other alternative methods to improve my products. I am a member of the Florida Green Build Coalition, EPA Energy Star Program, and have other affiliations involving energy savings, safe building practices and quality construction practices
Experience
Past/Present clients Many happy homeowners and repeat customers.
Question I live in the Washington DC area and am considering replacing my 40-year old single-glazed windows/storm windows with modern double-glazed, argon-filled, low-e windows. Based on what I've read, for this geographic area, windows typically have an external coating that prevents infrared energy from passing out of the window in the winter and from passing into the window during the summer. This would be good for three sides of my house that don't get much direct sunlight, but I get significant winter solar gain on one side of the house that I don't want to lose by filtering it out. Would the low-e coating on the windows prevent the solar radiation from passing through the windows in the winter? Summer solar gain through those windows isn't much of an issue because of the summer sun angle and deciduous vegetation. If this isn't within your expertise, do you know of any sources that I can use to get the answer? Thanks.
Answer Sorry, I might have not been clear about the interior films. These films are actually placed inside the panes of glass with the gas during the manufacture process, not the inside of the home. Just a clarificaiton.
RE:
I have asked this of several window companies. The best folks I have found are at M&I Windows. You can get their link via my web page. It is my understanding that there are several types of interior and exterior films that do what you want. Please call and ask these window experts. Talk to their engineering or customer support Division. Feel free to tell them I am a builder/client of their and I have refered them for advice. Good luck and let me know what they have to say. Brian McElroy
