Perhaps you desire a sunroom for the plant and flower space, or maybe you want relaxation and entertainment opportunities. Regardless of your motives, you must think about the glass concerning heat loss, gain, and resistance. Here, learn about two essential glass selection terms: U-value and R-value.

What Should You Know About R-Value & U-Value?

U-Value

Also known as U-factor, U-value determines a product’s thermal performance and is used to evaluate window efficiency. It measures how much heat the glass loses or gains depending on temperatures, or how much heat flows through 1 square foot of material. U-value calculates conduction abilities rather than providing product ratings to help determine energy efficiency, insulation, airflow, and heat transfer. It does not measure heat resistance. The lower the U-value number, the better the insulation abilities.

R-Value

R-value indicates a product’s heat resistance, such as spray foam or fiberglass insulation’s ability to stop heat transfer. Unlike U-value, it has nothing to do with heat loss or gain measurements based on airflow. Also, unlike U-value, R-value offers physical property assessments. For windows, R-value indicates the heat resistance of individual components such as the glass, caulk, and frames, while U-value looks at the heat transfer of the entire system. The higher the value, the more heat resistance it provides.

Sunroom Considerations

The right R- and U-values for your sunroom depend on your climate. Tropical regions, for example, do not require as much window insulation as those in colder areas of the country do. However, windows with higher R-values help keep out excessive heat and humidity.

Whether you use your sunroom year-round also helps determine your glass selection. If you plan to utilize the room in summer, glass with higher R-value works best. If you use your sunroom all year, you’ll need windows with a lower U-value.

Discuss your sunroom ideas with the team at Aladdin’s Glass & Screen Products, Inc. The locally owned company has served residential and commercial clients across Nicholasville and Lexington, KY, for over 25 years, building patio rooms, installing custom shower doors, and providing many other products. Call (859) 887-4070 today to get started, or visit them online for more information about their services.