IIRC, Cardinal makes the glass for most major window companies. I believe Andersen is simply rebranding Cardinal's LoE3-366 -- which we are using throughout our new build (in Marvin's "Integrity" line). While I don't have any real life experience with the glass yet I'm very excited about UV transmittance being limited to ~5%.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cardinal Glass

Thanks whallyden,
Here is the info on the andersen...

Introducing SmartSunTM glass from Andersen.
Andersen now offers a glass option on all 400 Series windows and doors that provides you with a desirable balance of high visibility and comfort. We call it SmartSunTM because of the way it cleverly rejects unwanted solar heat while allowing the sunlight to stream through. It gives you another choice in addition to High-PerformanceTM Low-E4î glass with its sparkling clarity and High-PerformanceTM Low-E4î Sun glass with itâÂÂs appealing tint. SmartSun also helps protect your furniture, carpets and drapes by blocking out 95 percent of the damaging ultraviolet rays that can cause fading and it can be instrumental in reducing energy consumption. So, now when you choose the glass for your windows and doors, your choice is more clear.

I tried to put a link but have been having trouble all morning with error messages : (

Low-e glass doesn't remove brightness or glare or reduce heat gain - so don't be surprised if you need to use window coverings again. If you really don't want window coverings, I'm wondering if you could build-in either an awning outside (those fold up ones) or exterior sun roller shades.

This'll sound crazy, but 8 years ago, we planted a BIG tree - 3" caliper red oak. This year, it's almost large enough to shield the entire southwest facing side of the house all day. We live in an 80 y.o. stucco house, so it's worth it not to create and store so much heat in the summer.

Just as a caution, we experienced a slight color shift with high uv protection from another maker (pella). It mattered to us because 355 days a year, we don't turn any lights on during day-light hours. It seems to affect mainly some brown-peachy undertones and it was enough so I had to adjust the paint colors.

bmorepanic- But the SunSmart, isn't the standard LowE4 glass... is it??
That's why I was asking about it.

We have a large awning now outside that we may put back up after the reno but we're not sure if it will work with new roof overhang, etc.

2LittleFishies - did you end up going with the Anderson SunSmart glass? We're looking at window options right now and were considering it. It would be great to hear from someone who has them :)

These threads are so frustrating when you get to the end and there are no follow up answers. 2LittleFishes - did you go with the Andersen smart sun windows? Can you comment? JazzyzGirl - Did you find out any more info you can share? Anyone have real world reviews?

We went with the Low E/E-4 glass. We opted to go that route instead of with the SmartSun because it appeared that the SmartSun glass was tinted/treated in such a way that it impacted the visual clarity through the windows, which we did not want. Anderson does not say this directly, but it was hinted at it on another forum, which completely turned me away from the SmartSun.

Our Low E/E-4 windows were just installed a few weeks ago and we're still in full-on renovation, so I can't give any feedback other than they're perfectly clear glass with no visible tint to them.

Hey! Thanks for the response! Yes, apparently that is common with any windows that block 95%+ UV rays. Andersen has a comparison table that shows how much visibility is blocked based on the type of window you select: https://www.andersenwindows.com/options-and-accessories/glass-options/

To be honest, I don't think I would mind a very slight, hardly noticeable tint of the Smart Sun windows (So long as it is really hardly noticeable. That's my concern). It also blocks some heat coming through the windows. I figure in the winter I will remove the screens which will allow more light to come through. I've learned that it's best to remove them in the winter anyway if you have casement windows to prevent condensation between the panes.

So, it probably sounds like I have all the answers right? Ha, ha! It's all good talking to sales people and reading info from the manufacturers, but I find info from REAL people that have lived with the product to be invaluable. Hopefully someone who actually has the Smart Sun windows will chime in.

Here is an interesting comparison from Andersen that demonstrates the difference between Low-E4 and Low-E4 SmartSun a little better:

Hi, It's 2LittleFishies! We love our SmartSun windows but after 4 or so years I really don't remember any of the details. I don't notice any loss of clarity at all! They don't look tinted either but there are no other windows directly near it that I could compare. Hope this helps!

Thanks for commenting. Did you install the Andersen SmartSun or just Low E4 windows?

Oops! SmartSun. (I edited ^)

Perfect! Just what I was hoping to hear. That's what I'll probably go with as long as the cost difference isn't too high.

Steve Allen Just wondering if you went with smart sun windows? We are considering using them and I am worried about the tint.

We did go with Smart Sun. The cost was minimal. They are installed but unfortunately construction has been very slow. They still have the plastic film from the factory covering the glass. And the painters have everything taped and plastic over the windows right now. From what I could tell I don’t think I’ll really be able to tell the film is there. The sales person seemed very knowledgeable and told me you wouldn’t be able to tell unless you installed two windows (one with and one without) side by side on the same wall. I went ahead and did every window in the house in Smart sun. I’ll try to report back hopefully in a couple weeks when the painters are done.

"They still have the plastic film from the factory covering the glass. "

Hopefully they have not been installed too long as that film becaomes an absolute nightmare to remove after a month or two........................

+1 to mwm's advice. In this area of northern indiana, you can usually make it about 6-9 months if it's our cooler seasons, but I wouldn't want to go even that long in the south.

Steve Allen - thank you for replying. That would be great if you could respond back when they are not covered. I think we will be using them though. We are supposed to make our decision within the next couple of weeks.

I would like to know if when using the SmartSun glass you can then do without blinds or shades? Window faces the south so there is a lot of light coming in!

Smart Sun glass only blocks about 7% more light than the standard Low E glass. So, there will still be lots of light coming in. Smart Sun will block 95% of UV light. This is probably enough Block to not worry about fading without having blinds. So, the way I see it, you only need blinds/shades for 3 reasons. 1. Privacy 2. Block Light 3. Decor. Some parts of the home may be fine without blinds, but I would think most people would want blinds in the bedrooms at the very least for privacy and block light when trying to sleep.

Steve covered it well. However, I will say that IMHO the SmSun cuts down on glare while still allowing a lot of light in.

I am a very private person and think of everything tactically-so I would personally never have windows without at least a window covering option on each and every one. But I know a lot of people that only have them in bedrooms & bathrooms.

This thread--and a faded magazine cover--inspired me to try and figure out what level of UV-blocking we have in our year-plus old Marvin Ultimate windows with their "standard" glass, but I'm not easily finding that information. In the meantime, however, I found this fading chart, based on a Cardinal technical service bulletin, which says that UV isn't the only component of fading. Ugh.

If anyone has a link to Marvin UV information, I'd appreciate it, and I also wonder if adding a window film to further reduce UV would be a meaningful improvement.

Thank you for the information - very helpful - we will go with the Smart Sun!

Anyone have any experience with the Smart Sun with Heatlock glass? And is the Heatlock really necessary if you don't live in a northern climate?

We're poised to order an Anderson Narroline 6ft slider. In light of the "melting" controversy brewing around these "energy" coatings, I'm concerned that our Trex decking, which sits immediately outside the slider, may be subject to the same fate with the Sunsmart coating! The deck is dark brown (BAD idea, gets too hot in the sun for bare feet), and I'm worried that the Sunsmart coating will exacerbate that, possibly even warp it, given the proximity. Thoughts?