Hard or Soft Low-E Coating: Which is Right for You?

December 10, 2021

Are you thinking of switching to Low-E glass in your home or business but not sure if it should be Hard Low-E or Soft Low-E?

More property owners are installing Low-E glass these days because of the energy savings that it provides. Even though most people know about the benefits of Low-E glass, less are aware of the different types of Low-E available.

If you’re unsure which option is the best long-term Low-E glass option for your home, this article will help walk you through some of the critical differences between both and guide you to the right choice.

Hard or Soft Low-E Glass: What is the Difference?

Sneeze guards — also called sneeze barrier shields — are partitions initially used by the food industry to separate humans from food.

They are generally made from plastic, glass, or clear acrylic. These barriers provide a great way to protect unpackaged foods from air-borne contaminants that customers or staff can spread through sneezing or coughing.

What is Hard Low-E Coating?

A pyrolytic process produces hard-coated Low-E glass. It involves applying a thin layer of molten metal to a sheet of glass during the manufacturing process while it is still molten. As a result, the metal becomes welded to the glass, creating a highly durable (hard) attachment.

Best Uses for Hard Low-E Coating

The durability of hard Low-E coating means you can use them on storm doors and windows.

Hard Low-E Coating Pros

Option to accessorize: Because hard Low-E glass does not need sealants inside an insulated glass unit, you can accessorize the glass with in-between blinds, for instance.
Affordability: This coating option is cheaper than the soft Low-E glass since it does not require many layers.
Durability: The pyrolytic application of the hard Low-E glass means it is less likely to become scratched than soft Low-E glass. Consequently, it lasts longer.

Hard Low-E Coating Cons

High U Value: A high U-value means the optical thickness of a Low-E coating will increase. In other words, there aren’t very many layers of film present. Low-E coatings with hard surfaces are generally better suited to applications more concerned with durability than insulative or reflective properties.
Higher heat gain coefficient: Hard Low-E coatings have a higher heat gain coefficient. Allowing more ultraviolet light and infrared to pass through the glass allows a more significant heat transfer into your living space.

What is Soft Low-E Coating?

Soft-coated Low-E glass is formed using a process called Magnetron Sputter Vacuum Deposition (MSVD). In a nutshell, the particles used in the metal layer adhere to pre-cut glass sheets at room temperature. It takes place in an electrically charged inert gas-filled vacuum chamber, and the result is a metallic coating that is very thin and delicate.

Best Uses for Soft Low-E Coating

If energy efficiency matters more to you than durability, soft Low-E glass is for you.

Soft Low-E Coating Pros

High visible light transmission: Soft Low-E coating allows high visible light transmission, where light can filter through the glass and provide an unobstructed view of your surroundings. With this type of coating, you don’t have to worry about heat retention in your windowpane.

The specially designed coatings on soft-coated Low-E glass allows for effective solar control, preventing heat from entering your house during the summer and keeping it in during the winter months.

Ultra-low emission: The one significant advantage of soft Low-E coating is that it drastically reduces your energy bills. This is because soft glass has to be heated just before coating.

The glass surface that the coating uses absorbs the heat and retains it. That means that any other object or material placed near this surface will also absorb heat at a faster rate than its counterpart.

Less UV transmission: Another significant difference between soft and hard Low-E coatings is how much solar UV penetrates through them. While both sides of a soft Low-E coating can transmit solar UV, only the outer layer is UV transmitting. The manufacturing process protects the glass from solar damage, thereby strengthening its resistance. In places with intense sunlight, we see more people using glass as an exterior building material.

Soft Low-E Coating Cons

Fragile and less durable: soft coatings might be more pleasing to the eyes, but they are less robust than hard coatings.

Soft Low-E coatings can chip, crack, or peel easily on contact with anything thicker. The gutter will break over time if it comes into contact with anything more powerful than itself, like hail hitting your roof or people walking by on your pavement.

Soft Low-E coatings are thus not recommended for external applications.

More difficult to temper: The purpose of tempering Low-E coating is to produce a strong, durable, and safe film on your glass. However, soft Low-E coating is more difficult to temper because of its heat-reflection qualities. As a result, the installation process is more complex and time-consuming.

Cost: Soft low-E coating is generally more expensive because it is a fragile material that gets damaged. The installation process is complex and requires an experienced professional.

Which Low-E Glass Is Right for You?

Both hard and soft Low-E coatings are suitable for various purposes. The choice depends on your needs and interests.

For instance, you could choose a hard Low-E coating for privacy. If you are concerned about durability, a hard coating remains your best choice.

Some people love the aesthetics that come with a soft Low-E glass, which allows for a high level of visible light transmission. If you are more interested in energy efficiency, a soft coating delivers.

Nonetheless, both Low-E glass types are considered energy-efficient.

Hard or Soft Low-E Coating FAQS

What is the difference between a hard coat and a soft coat low-E?

The hard-coat Low-E coating is applied when the glass is molten, and the process produces a durable coating that can be used on windows and storm doors. Soft-coat Low-E glass is applied after it is manufactured; it is also more delicate but more effective at reflecting heat energy.

Does Low-E glass look different?

In most cases, the Low-E coating covers the inside of the glass of the insulating unit. One of the images will be different from the others if the window contains Low-E glass, and the four reflected images will be the same color if the window does not have Low-E.

Do Low-E windows get hot?

Any surface can reflect, absorb, or transmit heat, and Low-E coatings reduce the amount of heat transfer. An efficient Low-E film reflects heat to the source, and the Low-E coating will reflect that heat to the sun in the summer when the sun beats your windows.

Do Low-E windows help during winter?

The passive Low-E coating is perfect for chilly (or hot) climates. It allows some solar infrared energy to penetrate and heat a home in the winter while reflecting the interior long-wave heat energy away.

What is hard Low-E?

Hard coat Low E is sprayed onto the glass surface at a very high temperature. Among the advantages of a hard coat is its ability to be tempered after application and the possibility to accessorize with the glass, such as blinds between the panes.

Is Low-E worth the cost?

Yes! It is worth investing in Low-E glass options. By upgrading to Low-E glass, you save on energy costs, improve your comfort year-round, and protect your home.

Why do Low-E windows look green?

When you put Low-E material in a 5-gallon white bucket, it’s translucent and has a light green hue. As a result of splatter being applied to the insulated glass to manufacture energy-efficient windows, more splatter will produce a greener hue.

Do Low-E windows affect houseplants?

Low-E glass can also block Ultraviolet radiation, which is harmful to plants in high quantities. The answer is no. Low-E glazed glass does not adversely affect plant growth. However, with some plant species, it can boost growth.

How long do Low-E windows last?

Low-E window films are very durable and will last for a long time. Usually, it has a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years, depending on climate and weather conditions.

Save Energy and Money with AMG Mirror & Glass

Have you decided to upgrade your windows but are unsure which material is best?

Both hard Low-E and soft Low-E glass are suitable when it comes to preserving energy. However, it is essential to work with professional glass and mirror experts.

AMG Mirror & Glass is here to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.

We offer a wide selection of glass to fit any budget. We can install replacement windows, create custom glass for commercial and residential applications, and tinting for your comfort.

We’ll be sure to give you a full proposal for your project once we have an accurate estimate.

Are you thinking of going for a glassy look for your office or home? Get a quote from the best Toronto glass installation company and get custom-cut designs.

If you’re just looking for more information about our glass products or installation process, don’t hesitate to contact us today.

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