This is for all of you in the hot sunny climates. What is the best type of glass to put on the West facing sides of a house to help cool it off. I have a client that is going to replace all the windows, over here most everything is single pain. So, does he get tinted, low E, or special order double pain, (tinted or not). I need a little info before we go to the glass guys so I can decifer what they are saying.
If at first you don’t succeed, GET A BIGGER HAMMER!
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Look for windows that incorporate films like HeatMirror, Hüper-Optik, or similar films. These will cut down insolation a great deal. Southwall and V-kool have some pretty nifty sites explaining how these kinds of films work. Considering how much heat gain is via the windows in a well-insulated house, these films are well worth it in hot climates.
I recently put up some glass on the inside of a couple of skylights. The client bought the glass and it was two pains with something sealed in between. They said it would reduce the heat and uv fading by 90 %. I will be over there tomorrow and see how they are working. The glass must be on of the products you mentioned that I have now looked up. They appear to be clear glass. If they are working in the skylights I can tell the new client where to get the new windows made or at least which of the films are offered over here. Mahalo for the info!
If at first you don't succeed, GET A BIGGER HAMMER!
In your case you are interested not so much in R value or U value (conduction of heat through the window) but in how much solar (heat) gain the window blocks. The window manufacturers publish solar gain figures. I live where it's cold so I'm not familiar, but window manufacturer or energy consultant web sites would have explanations.
It is less important how the manufacturer achieves the results than what the rating is.
Also pay attention to the window color or tint. You could block a lot of heat gain but get a really ugly dark colored tint to the windows.