Frequently Asked Questions

What is “U-Value”?

U-Value – is a measurement of heat transfer due to outdoor/indoor temperature differences. It’s the amount of heat passing through one square foot of glass in one hour for each 1 degree Fahrenheit temperature difference between the indoor and outdoor air. Basically, the lower the U value the less heat energy passes through a window. U values are used primarily by the glazing and window film industries to describe heat loss through the glass.

The R-value is the inverse of the U-Value (R= 1/R), which is the statistic that is shown on the film performance charts and is expressed as a decimal (less than one). The lower the U-Value the better. Glass, window, and film manufacturers use U-Values. Insulation manufacturers use R-values.

What is “R-Value”?

R-Value – Conversely, HVAC engineers, and insulation professionals use the R-Value measurement, which describes a material’s ability to act as an insulator. The higher the R-Value, the less the heat transference. The R-Value is the reciprocal of the U-Value and is expressed as R=1/U-Value.

What is “U-Value”?

U-Value – is a measurement of heat transfer due to outdoor/indoor temperature differences. It’s the amount of heat passing through one square foot of glass in one hour for each 1 degree Fahrenheit temperature difference between the indoor and outdoor air. Basically, the lower the U value the less heat energy passes through a window. U values are used primarily by the glazing and window film industries to describe heat loss through the glass.

The R-value is the inverse of the U-Value (R= 1/R), which is the statistic that is shown on the film performance charts and is expressed as a decimal (less than one). The lower the U-Value the better. Glass, window, and film manufacturers use U-Values. Insulation manufacturers use R-values.