Will Blackout Shades Harm Low-E Windows?

About Low-E Windows

• Low-E windows are covered with a microscopically thin, invisible metal or metallic oxide layer that is applied to the surface of one or more of the panes. The coating reduces the amount of infrared radiation from a warm pane to a cooler one. The low-E pane glass should be installed on the outside pane of glass to keep the sun’s heat out of the house in southern climates, generally on east and west-facing windows and unshaded south-facing windows. In cold, northern climates, the low-E coating is installed with the coating facing the inside of the house to hold heat within the house, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s EnergySaver website.

Low-E Window Options

• Manufacturers use either a soft coat low-E coating or a hard coat low-E coating. Though hard low-E coatings are more durable and can be used in retrofitting applications, the soft coat type of low-E coating has greater energy efficiency.

Blackout Shades

• Blackout shades are used to prevent light from entering a room. These shades are often used in bedrooms where light from the street or neighboring properties can disturb sleep. They can be particularly helpful for people who work night shifts and need to block out light while they sleep during daylight hours. Blackout shades also save money by blocking the sunlight that warms home interior resulting in higher cooling costs. Some blackout shades also aid in blocking out noise, as well. Blackout shades are available in a variety of styles and textures to suit any décor.

Using Blackout Shades With Low-E Windows

• Using blackout shades and low-E windows together increase the efficiency of the heating and cooling system in your home to an even greater degree than each method alone. Sunlight does not enter to warm up the home’s interior so cooling costs are lower. Heat is not emitted to the outside through window panes, so heating costs are reduced. Along with caulking and insulation in walls, attic and basements, home temperatures will be cooler in summer and warmer in winter, with less escape of energy to the outdoors.