South-facing windows in Atlanta get the most direct sun, all day long. That sun brings intense heat, glare, and fading. The fix is glass with a lower solar heat gain rating, like Cardinal Low-E 366. It blocks more of the sun’s heat while keeping your rooms bright.
The sun moves across the sky from east to west. But it sits in the southern part of the sky for most of the day. That means the south side of your home gets sun from morning to evening.
In summer, that adds up to a lot of heat. A room on that side can feel hot even with the air running. The glass in your windows helps determine how much of that heat gets inside.
This guide explains why south-facing windows in Atlanta often need different glass. It also explains the Cardinal glass we use in our windows and how to match it to your rooms. At Windowcrafters, we help you decide which glass is the best solution per room and don’t assume one solution fits all.
Why does the south side of your home get the most sun?
Atlanta sits in the northern half of the world. So the sun stays in the southern sky as it crosses overhead. The south side of your home catches that light for the longest stretch each day.
East rooms get morning sun. West rooms get harsh sun late in the day. But the south rooms get steady sun for hours.
Over a long Georgia summer, that heat builds up fast. This is why a south-facing room can feel hot while a north-facing room stays cool. Same house. Same day. Different glass needs.
What does solar heat gain mean?
Solar heat gain is how much of the sun’s heat passes through your glass. It is measured by a number called the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, or SHGC.
The number runs from 0 to 1. A lower number means less heat gets in. A higher number means more heat gets in.
For a sunny room in a hot climate, you usually want a lower SHGC. That keeps more of the sun’s heat outside, where it belongs.
A lower number can also protect your floors and furniture. Long hours of direct sun fade wood, fabric, and art over time. This is the main reason south-facing windows in Atlanta call for a closer look at the glass.
What glass works best for south-facing windows in Atlanta?
All Windowcrafters windows come STANDARD with Low-E glass. Low-E is short for low emissivity. It is a thin coating that reflects heat while letting light through.
Our standard glass is Cardinal Low-E 270. It works well for most rooms and is what is recommended by Cardinal for a moderate climate. Atlanta is usually a moderate climate except for the rooms that get heavy sun. For those cases, we offer an upgrade called Cardinal Low-E 366.
The 366 glass blocks more heat than the 270 glass. It also blocks more of the sun’s UV rays, which is what fades floors and furniture. That makes it a good match for south-facing windows in Atlanta. It still lets in plenty of natural light, so the room stays bright.
The glass is only part of the story. Each window uses two panes with a warm-edge spacer and argon gas sealed between them. The spacer and the gas slow the heat even more and help the sealed glass last over the years.
700 Series double-hung windows
Our 700 Series is a double-hung vinyl window. Both sashes slide up and down, and both tilt in for easy cleaning. We build it to size in our Tucker, Georgia, factory.
With standard Low-E 270 glass and argon gas, the 700 Series has an SHGC of 0.28. With the Low-E 366 upgrade, that number drops to 0.21. The lower number means less of the sun’s heat reaches the room.
Best for: homeowners who want both sashes to open and a lower heat rating on sunny sides.
900 Series single-hung windows
Our 900 Series is a single-hung vinyl window. The bottom sash opens and tilts in for cleaning. It is also built to size in Tucker, Georgia.
With standard Low-E 270 glass and argon gas, the 900 Series has an SHGC of 0.30. With the Low-E 366 upgrade, that number drops to 0.22.
Best for: new construction and remodels where a single-hung style fits the design.
You can explore the full glass upgrade options to see how each fits your rooms.
Will the better glass make my rooms feel dark?
This is a common worry. People hear about heat-blocking glass and picture a dim, tinted room.
Cardinal Low-E 366 is built to avoid that and has a high visible light transmission. It cuts heat and blocks UV rays while keeping the view clear. You get the protection without a heavy tint.
So your south-facing windows in Atlanta can stay bright and still stay cooler in the summer.
How do Atlanta homes change the glass choice?
Tree cover matters here. Many Atlanta neighborhoods, from Decatur to Sandy Springs, have tall trees that shade parts of a home.
A north-facing room under heavy shade may do fine with standard 270 glass. A south-facing room with open sky and no shade is a better fit for the 366 upgrade.
You do not have to use the same glass on every window. We can match the glass to each side of your home. That way, you only pay for the upgrade where it does the most good.
West-facing rooms are worth a look too. They take in strong, low sun late in the day. Like south-facing windows in Atlanta, they often do well with the 366 upgrade.
Does the upgraded glass cost more?
Every window we build comes with Cardinal Low-E 270 glass as the standard. There is no upcharge for it. The Low-E 366 glass is an upgrade, so it changes the price of that window.
A few things affect the final number. The glass you pick is one part. The size of the window matters too. Style, color, and grids all play a part.
The good news is that you can choose where to spend. Many homeowners put the 366 glass on the south-facing windows in Atlanta that get the most sun. Then they use standard 270 glass on the shaded rooms. That keeps the cost focused where it helps the most.
How can Windowcrafters help?
We are a factory-direct vinyl window maker in Tucker, Georgia. We have built windows here for more than 45 years.
Because we make all our insulated glass units in-house, we can put the 366 upgrade on the south-facing windows in Atlanta that need it and use 270 where you do not. We walk through your rooms, your sun exposure, and what affects the price of each option.
You talk to real people who know the product. We answer the phone, and we stand behind the work.
What should you do next?
Start by looking at which rooms get the most sun. The south side is a good place to begin. Notice where it feels warm in the afternoon or where the floors have started to fade.
When you are ready, give us a call or reach out through our contact page. We are happy to talk through which glass fits each room in your home.
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- How Replacing Windows Boosts Curb Appeal for Atlanta Homes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best glass for south-facing windows in Atlanta?
For most south-facing rooms, Cardinal Low-E 366 glass is a strong choice. It has a lower solar heat gain rating than standard Low-E 270 glass, so it blocks more heat. It still keeps rooms bright and the view clear.
What is a good SHGC for a sunny room in Georgia?
A lower SHGC is better for sunny rooms. Our 700 Series drops to 0.21 with the Low-E 366 upgrade. Our 900 Series drops to 0.22. A lower number means less of the sun’s heat enters the room.
Do I need the upgraded glass on every window in my home?
No. Shaded and north-facing rooms often do fine with standard Low-E 270 glass. The 366 upgrade makes the most sense on south-facing and west-facing windows that get heavy sun. You can mix glass by room.
