Don't let anyone convince you not to upgrade your glass from standard clear glass today when buying new windows.

The greatest technological advances in windows today are in glass. Low-E ( a nearly invisible low-emissivity coating that dramatically improves the efficiency of the glass ) is one of the most important new factors.

Low-E with argon gas between the double-glazed glass will greatly improve the thermal efficiency or R-factor. (R-factor means that with that coating and gas, your piece of glass is going to be warmer.) It is also going to block out ultraviolet rays reducing unwanted heat build up in your home and minimizing the fading of furniture, flooring and window coverings.

The window can be made even more efficient by adding another piece of glass, and another layer of Low-E. Now you have an even warmer triple pane window with improved all around energy performance.

Be careful buying triple pane windows by making sure it is not just a triple pane of clear glass. You might have bought just a heavier window which is much harder to install. Triple pane isn't always necessary and is more expensive. In most instances a double-glazed sealed unit glass is enough. Triple pane is a great way to reduce exterior noise issues, though, especially if your home is located near a busy freeway or airport.

It is a minimal cost to upgrade to Low-E glass when ordering your windows but quite an expense if it is done after the fact. Glass is a difference worth investing in. There is even glass out today that cleans itself, wow!