Your Guide to Cardinal Glass Types

“With the vast array of options that Cardinal brings to the table,” says Andrew Darr, vice president of custom sales at Western Window Systems, “our dealer partners can customize a glass package for a specific climate.”

To help you in your decision making, here’s a handy guide.

LoE-i89

Cardinal’s new winter-performance glass, LoE-i89, can help achieve better U-values in Western Window Systems’ classic family of products, like the Series 600 Multi-Slide Door. With i89 glass, homeowners will get triple-pane performance from Western Window Systems’ dual-pane products. And LoE-i89 glass features less reflectance and more light transmittance while delivering a U-value of 0.20 in an argon-filled dual-pane unit, making it compliant with Energy Star guidelines and perfect in high-altitude homes.

On top of the LoE-i89’s energy-efficiency benefits, the glass is smooth and scratch resistant, so it’s easier to clean and doesn’t leave a haze to diminish a homeowner’s view. And Cardinal glass’ durability is unmatched, with a failure rate of just 0.20 percent over 20 years, the lowest in the industry.

LoE-340

In climates where the sun can be oppressive, Cardinal’s LoE-340 is known for its solar glare control without the need for expensive and inefficient glass tinting. Tinted glass actually absorbs sunlight, making the glass hotter and susceptible to a change in thickness. Then there’s the risk of thermal stress breaking the glass.

And because of the LoE-340 glass’ very high light-to-solar-gain ratio of 2.17, solar gain is controlled but plenty of visible light is allowed through the glass. The LoE-340 works as a great year-round glass as well by reducing heat loss in the winter.

LoE-180

Cardinal’s LoE-180 glass is ideal for passive solar designs. With a U-value of 0.26 and impressive solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of .0.69, the LoE-180 option helps keep homes warmer in frigid weather by letting the winter sun into the home while reducing heat loss because of thin but invisible layer of silver applied between layers of anti-reflective metal oxide coatings.

Neat Glass

Finally, where rain is common, Cardinal’s Neat Glass option gives appearance-conscious homeowners a glass that provides clear views and almost spotless conditions. The ultra-smooth glass, with its thin layer of silicon dioxide, allows water to “sheet off” and evaporate quickly, greatly reducing water spotting.