Sunnyvale Window Installers Sunnyvale, CA

Campbell contractor: Window film voids glass warranty

"We recently moved to Florida and our front windows face southwest. I'm expecting the front rooms to get hot this summer. I plan to replace the glass, but I am getting conflicting advice regarding what glass to get.

Should I get low-e glass and rely on it to block the heat waves, or get clear glass and have an infrared-reflective film applied? Which will give me the best results?" — Angie's List member Roger Linville

Low-e glass is the right choice, according to Jeff Pickard, owner of highly rated Five Star Windows, which services Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties from its Campbell, Calif. location.

"Exterior film voids the warranty that manufacturers have on the glass, for starters," he says. "Plus, low-e coating is placed between the two pieces of glass and won't come off with exposure to the elements. Most manufacturers also offer a lifetime guarantee on low-e glass."

The exact energy efficiency of low-e glass depends on the grade of that particular glass, so you should talk about specific brands and grades with your contractor.

"Low-e glass will block 80 percent or more of the heat coming from the sun with very little visible light loss," Pickard says. "If you're worried about glare from the ocean, hybrid low-e glass with tinted panes works pretty well at blocking glare."

Do you have a service-related question? E-mail us at mailbag@angieslist.com.