Where is the home? You should be able to ask your vendor for a clear glass sample along with a Low-e 2 sample and make the decision based on the comparison.

Keep in mind that normal float glass will have a green tint to it as a standard so all glass is "green" to some extent.

I see your Houzz handle here as both as “B F” and as “Seattlenerd”. If you do live in Seattle, you do not need LoE3. And yes, LoE3 has more of a visible tint, though many people see it more on the outside, and are concerned how it affects curb appeal.

LoE2 will be fine, and will not show a tint. I have a couple older window that are clear, and the rest are new windows with LoE2. The biggest difference between them is that the clear ones are broiling hot when the sun comes through them, and I live in a cool northern climate.

LoE3 will show a tint. Where do you live? LoE3 shouldn't be needed unless you live in a very sunny low-rain climate like in the southwest.

The LoE3 windows I have are skylights, standard for Velux. Normally you want this in a skylight, and yes-- it does get hot in Seattle in the summer. but trust me, I can see the greenish cast. it has affected the color of everything in these rooms. but that might be just a LoE3 problem.

But the question I'm asking in this thread is not about my existing skylights. I'm asking about new windows I'm about to get, and choosing LoE2 vs clear -- whether it will make a visible difference. these windows are located in an "daylight" basement that really does not get hot in the summer. I truly don't think I need LoE right there.

I looked it up and found interesting charts here and here. Clear glass cuts visible light by 10%. Double pane clear cuts it by 18%. LoE2 cuts it by 28%. LoE3 by 35%. so these choices do make a difference. I'm talking about visible light-- the light you do want coming through your window (not UV transmission). in addition to that, LoE3 has a greenish cast. Maybe LoE2 is not that noticeably green, so hence my questions.

by the way, I got my price estimate in. clear glass only costs $10-$20 more per window (plus I won't get an energy rebate). I'm willing to pay that price if it means I can get a little more visible light. Trust me, it's worth it to me!

I thought I answered your question exactly. What more do you want to know.

Shannon: sorry, much of that post wasn't supposed to be directed at you, but some of the previous posters, and/or to clarify my question. Thanks for your answer, it was helpful!

Clear glass won’t meet energy code in most places, I’d check on that first.

Nidnay, given what you've written, you have LoE3 coating, not LoE2.

Some people are more color sensitive. I'm the kind of person who points out color details that nobody else in the room can see. If Nidnay can see a color and light difference with LoE2, I believe them.

Thanks Nidnay. I made my choice yesterday (clear glass, double paned with argon), but your post confirmed my suspicions and I'm sure clear is the right fit for this part of my house.

I'm not anti-LoE. I just think people are going overboard with it. Too bad there isn't more info online about the downsides. Hopefully it can be improved before the next time I need to get new windows.

Nidnay, it's kind of rough being so color sensitive. life would be so much easier if I didn't care (but then again, maybe I wouldn't be a graphic designer).

my skylights are in the shade all day long (they're on the lower level of a split level house), so that's definitely contributing to the problem. I spent weeks trying to figure out what paint colors to choose (two tone: BM Navajo White and a custom shade of blush - which still look drab in here). I'm now spending hours trying to figure out how I can somehow refract more sunlight into those skylights. my inner inventor / engineer is coming out strong. it's annoying how much time I'm obsessing over it, but I can't let it go! solving design problems is my thing. yeesh. I think I have a problem.

so of course all this is going to lead to overthinking the new windows I'm getting, LOL.

Have you decided on what brand of window. Yet?

Milgard Trinsic series. apparently they have thinner frames than some of their older designs. the rest of our house has milgard, and I'm more or less happy with them.

ILoveMod, I am in the window situation you were posting about here. I hate the thought of green glass but our windows are in bad shape and leaking terribly. The front of our house gets no direct sunlight and I am hoping to find clear glass for new windows. How did yours turn out?

I paid extra for plain clear glass, and for the most part I'm fine with that. they look good.

but honestly, I may have been a little too sensitive. I'm beginning to realize that the biggest problem with my skylights is that they're in a shadow most of the time. perhaps the green tint wasn't making that much of a difference after all. it took many months of living with them and noticing day-to-day changes to figure that out.

also, I read that LoE helps your house retain heat in the winter, so that's a nice bonus. if you want to get something like LoE2, you might like them. if you want to get clear, you might have to pay extra like I did.

Thanks so much for the reply. I am leaning towards the clear for the front of the house, even if I have to pay extra. I have been researching on Houzz and one person posted a picture of his new windows and said that his house looked like a margarita! Your take resonated with me as I think I will be very sensitive to it too. The thought of turning our house green already bothers me and we still have our clear windows! The interesting thing about this process is that the window companies seem to want people to remain unclear about all the options. I have read so many posts about people being unhappy with the tinting after the windows are installed. Thank goodness for Houzz!

The sales person at Milguard sold us on loE3 said it was "about the same, slightly darker" than loE2. It is in no way the same as what they showed me. House is filled with green light. It has been a nightmare. And the rep tried to gaslight me.