Quick answer: For Virginia Beach and the rest of Hampton Roads, SmartSun™ glass is generally the right call. It carries a low solar heat gain coefficient of roughly 0.28 while keeping about 65% visible light, and it blocks around 95% of UV. PassiveSun, which is engineered to let solar heat in, is the wrong choice for a coastal Virginia climate.
Frame material gets all the attention in a sales conversation. Glass is what actually shows up on your July cooling bill. If you only optimize one thing on a Hampton Roads window order, optimize the glass package.
What climate zone is Virginia Beach in?
This trips people up because there are two different systems in play and they do not line up.
For ENERGY STAR window criteria, Virginia straddles the North-Central and South-Central zones. Under the 2021 IECC building code, most of Virginia is climate zone 4A, mixed-humid, but 19 southern and eastern localities, including much of Tidewater, are now zone 3A, warm-humid. Which one applies to your address determines which glass qualifies for certification, so it is worth confirming by ZIP rather than assuming.
Under ENERGY STAR version 7.0, which took effect October 23, 2023, the North-Central criteria are a U-factor of 0.25 or lower with an SHGC of 0.40 or lower. The South-Central criteria are a U-factor of 0.28 or lower with an SHGC of 0.23 or lower. Notice that as you move south, the solar heat requirement tightens sharply while the U-factor requirement loosens. That is the whole story of glass selection in a cooling-dominated climate.
What do U-factor, SHGC, and VT actually mean?
– U-factor measures how much heat escapes through the window. Lower is better. This matters most in winter.
– Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures how much solar heat passes through. Lower is better in a hot climate. This is the number that matters most in Hampton Roads.
– Visible Transmittance (VT) measures how much daylight comes through. Higher means a brighter room. There is always a tradeoff between blocking heat and keeping light.
How do the glass options compare?
| Glass | U-factor | SHGC | VT | UV blocked | Right for Hampton Roads? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-Performance Low-E4® (standard) | ~0.25 | ~0.42 | ~72% | ~84% | Acceptable, but lets in more heat than ideal |
| Low-E4® SmartSun | ~0.24 | ~0.28 | ~65% | ~95% | Yes. Best all-around fit |
| Low-E4® SunGlass (tinted) | ~0.25 | ~0.26 | Lower | High | Good for west and southwest exposures |
| Low-E4® PassiveSun® | Low | High by design | High | Moderate | No. Built for cold northern climates |
| HeatLock (room-side coating) | Lowers U-factor | Unchanged | Slight reduction | Unchanged | Optional. More useful in cold climates than here |
Values are approximate and vary by window line, size, and configuration. Ask for the NFRC label numbers on your specific quote.
Why does UV blocking matter so much on the coast?
UV is what fades hardwood floors, rugs, artwork, and upholstery, and it also degrades window seals and gaskets over time. SmartSun™ blocks roughly 95% of UV versus about 84% for standard Low-E4®. Over a 20-year ownership that difference shows up on your floors long before it shows up anywhere else.
Coastal Virginia gets long stretches of direct summer sun with high reflectance off water and light-colored surfaces. Rooms facing south and west take the worst of it.
Should you pay for triple-pane glass here?
Usually not, and we would rather say so. Triple-pane accounts for only about 2% of the U.S. window market, and its main benefit is a lower U-factor®, which addresses winter heat loss. Hampton Roads is a cooling-dominated climate where the SHGC number does more work than the U-factor. The money is better spent on a strong Low-E coating, and on impact-rated glass if your address requires it.
Triple-pane does help with sound. If you are under an Oceana flight path or on a busy road, that is a legitimate reason to consider it. Just buy it for the right reason.
What about impact glass?
Separate question, and in coastal Virginia often a more important one. Homes inside a wind-borne debris region need glazing that passes large missile impact testing. Whether that applies depends on your distance from the coast and the design wind speed for your parcel. See our coastal impact windows page, and confirm requirements with your local code official.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best window glass for a hot, humid climate?
Glass with a low solar heat gain coefficient. In a warm-humid or mixed-humid zone like coastal Virginia, look for an SHGC around 0.28 or lower while keeping visible transmittance high enough to avoid dark rooms. SmartSun™ is the option that fits that profile in the Renewal by Andersen lineup.
What is the difference between SmartSun and standard Low-E4® glass?
SmartSun™ cuts solar heat gain considerably, with an SHGC of roughly 0.28 versus about 0.42 for standard High-Performance Low-E4® , and it blocks about 95% of UV versus roughly 84%. The tradeoff is slightly less visible light, around 65% versus 72%.
Is PassiveSun® glass good for Virginia?
No. PassiveSun® is engineered to allow solar heat in to help warm homes in cold northern climates. In a cooling-dominated climate like Hampton Roads it works against you by increasing summer heat gain.
Are triple-pane windows worth it in Virginia Beach?
For energy savings, usually not. Triple-pane primarily improves U-factor, which addresses winter heat loss, while coastal Virginia is cooling-dominated and benefits more from a low SHGC. Triple-pane does meaningfully reduce noise, which can justify it near an airfield or a busy road.
What ENERGY STAR criteria apply to Virginia?
Under ENERGY STAR version 7.0, effective October 23, 2023, the North-Central zone requires a U-factor of 0.25 or lower with an SHGC of 0.40 or lower, and the South-Central zone requires a U-factor of 0.28 or lower with an SHGC of 0.23 or lower. Virginia spans both zones, so confirm which applies to your address.
Does better glass really lower my power bill?
It helps. The Department of Energy estimates windows account for 25 to 30 percent of residential heating and cooling energy use, and ENERGY STAR reports that replacing single-pane windows with certified units lowers household energy bills by an average of up to 13 percent nationwide. Savings depend heavily on what you are replacing.
Want the right glass for your exposure? Different elevations on the same house often call for different packages. Book a free in-home consultation and we will walk your home. Explore energy efficient windows, double hung, casement, and picture window options, or see service in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.
Last updated: July 2026.
Mr. Rogers Windows
📍 2100 Scenic Parkway, Suite 101, Chesapeake, VA 23323
📞 (757) 512-6242
🕐 Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm | Saturday – Sunday: Closed
In Your Free In-Home Consultation: Discuss your needs and priorities. See samples of all door styles. Review color and customization options. Get precise measurements. Receive a detailed quote valid for one full year. No pressure, no obligation.
Mr. Rogers Windows and Doors is Hampton Roads’ exclusive source for Renewal by Andersen replacement windows and patio doors. Serving Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Smithfield, Gloucester, Elizabeth City, Moyock, the Outer Banks, and surrounding communities since 1986.
