Learn something new every day More Info... by email Generally, a
shading coefficient is a measure of how well glass windows or
panels are thermally insulated. This is particularly relevant in
determining how well the glass is protecting the interior of a
building from the heat generated by direct sunlight. The measure
of the coefficient is affected by several factors, including the
color, thickness, and reflectivity of the glass. Solar heat can
either be magnified or minimized by a glass panel, such as a
window or skylight. The shading coefficient refers to the
ability of a particular pane of glass to minimize solar heat as
measured against a 0.13-inch (about 25-mm) thick panel of clear
glass. The coefficient is usually expressed as a number between
zero and one. The lower the rating, the less solar heat is
transmitted through the glass, and the the greater its shading
ability. The coefficient is affected by several factors. One
such factor is the color of the glass. Generally, darker colors
or coatings on th