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West-facing rooms can become uncomfortably hot in the afternoon, especially during summer. Direct sunlight also creates glare on televisions and computer screens and exposes furniture, flooring and window treatments to ultraviolet radiation. If you’re replacing windows in one of these rooms, the glass package deserves as much attention as the frame and window style.
The best replacement windows for west-facing rooms typically use low-emissivity (low-E) glass with a low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) to limit afternoon solar heat. Low-E coatings reduce heat gain, while a lower SHGC limits the amount of solar heat entering through the glass. The right combination depends on your climate, shading and how much natural light you want to preserve.
If afternoon heat or glare is already making a room uncomfortable, a professional window consultation from Renewal by Andersen can identify glass options suited to your home’s orientation and climate.
What are the best replacement windows for west-facing rooms?
The best replacement windows for west-facing rooms have glass designed to limit solar heat gain without unnecessarily sacrificing daylight. Look for low-E glass and compare the window’s SHGC and visible transmittance ratings. In hot or sunny conditions, lower SHGC generally means less solar heat enters the room.
West-facing windows deserve special attention because they receive strong afternoon sunlight when outdoor temperatures are often already high. Energy Star specifically recommends low-SHGC windows or shading for east- and west-facing windows.
Why West-Facing Windows Can Overheat a Room
A window does more than provide a view. Sunlight passing through the glass carries solar energy into the home. The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient measures how much of that solar energy a window transmits. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat enters.
That makes SHGC one of the most useful numbers to examine when comparing replacement windows for a sunny room.
What it measures
SHGC
Lower values generally reduce afternoon heat gain
How well the window insulates
VT
Higher values provide more daylight
Air passing through joints in the window
Lower values indicate less air leakage
These ratings should be considered together rather than selecting a window based on one number alone. Energy Star notes that window performance requirements vary by climate zone.
How does low-E glass reduce heat from the afternoon sun?
Low-E glass uses a thin coating that controls radiant heat transfer through the window. Depending on the coating, low-E glass can reduce solar heat gain while improving the window’s insulating performance.
The U.S. Department of Energy notes that low-E coatings are among the features used to reduce thermal transmittance and lower a window’s U-factor. The DOE also identifies low-E coatings and tints as features that affect SHGC.
Not every low-E package performs identically. Some coatings are designed to admit more solar heat, while low-solar-gain products are designed to restrict it. That distinction is especially relevant when selecting glass for a west-facing room.
Renewal by Andersen offers several high-performance glass configurations. Its Low-E4® glass is designed to reflect heat during summer and retain indoor heat during winter, while SmartSun™ glass is designed to reduce harsh UV exposure while controlling solar heat.
Renewal by Andersen also describes Low-E4® Sun Glass as a subtly tinted option intended for hot, dry climates with little shade or cloud cover.Related: Best Windows for a Noisy Street: How To Choose Glass That Blocks Sound
Should you choose tinted glass for a west-facing room?
Tinted or solar-control glass can be useful when a room receives intense direct sunlight, but tint alone should not determine the purchase. The window’s complete performance package, including SHGC and VT, gives you a better picture of how the glass will perform.
A darker tint can reduce visible light, along with solar energy. If the room needs strong daylight, a homeowner may prefer a higher-performance low-E coating that controls solar heat without making the glass noticeably dark.
Renewal by Andersen says its SmartSun™ glass blocks up to 95 percent of harmful UV rays, while its Low-E4® glass blocks 84 percent. The company also says SmartSun glass is designed for situations where an air conditioner struggles with sunlight streaming through the windows.
Those features can be useful in a west-facing living room, home office or bedroom where afternoon sun creates both heat and glare.Related: Are Premium Replacement Windows Worth the Extra 40%? What You Actually Get
What else should you consider when replacing sunny windows?
Start With the Whole Window, Not Just the Glass
Glass is important, but the frame, sash, seals and installation also affect performance. The DOE notes that window performance should be evaluated as a whole, including the glazing, frame and spacers.
A poorly fitted replacement window can undermine the performance of otherwise high-quality glass. Renewal by Andersen states that its replacement windows are measured for the home’s individual openings and custom-manufactured to fit.
Consider Exterior Shading
Windows aren’t the only way to control solar heat. Exterior shading can reduce sunlight before it reaches the glass. Energy Star specifically recommends that east- and west-facing windows have a low SHGC or be shaded, with west-facing windows receiving particular attention because they receive late-day summer sun.
Trees, overhangs, exterior shades and other shading strategies can therefore complement high-performance replacement windows.
Account for Your Climate
A window specification that works well in a hot climate isn’t automatically the best choice everywhere. In colder climates, solar heat entering through some windows can provide useful passive heat during the heating season. Energy Star bases window requirements on climate zone rather than recommending one universal configuration.
Your home’s orientation, existing shading and heating and cooling needs should all be considered before selecting a glass package.
If one or more west-facing rooms are consistently too hot, a window professional from Renewal by Andersen can evaluate the existing openings and discuss glass options based on your home’s conditions.
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Is upgrading west-facing windows worth it?
Replacing windows can address more than one problem at the same time. The right glass can reduce unwanted solar heat, improve insulation and reduce UV exposure while preserving the natural light and views homeowners want from large west-facing windows.
For homeowners replacing old single-pane windows, Energy Star estimates that certified replacement windows can lower household heating and cooling costs by an average of up to 13 percent nationwide. Actual results vary with the existing windows, climate and home.
The goal is to select a window with performance ratings suited to the room’s sun exposure and your local climate.
If your west-facing rooms become painfully hot every afternoon, glare interferes with screens or your furnishings are exposed to intense sunlight, schedule a free consultation and quote with Renewal by Andersen to evaluate replacement-window options for the space.
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