If your home still has outdated or builder-grade windows, you’re likely losing money every single month, without even realizing it. Drafts, uneven temperatures, and fading furniture are all signs that your windows are failing where it matters most: the glass. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, up to 30% of a home’s heating and cooling energy is lost through inefficient windows. And poorly insulated glass is almost always the biggest culprit.
Joyce operates as a vertically integrated company, which means we design, manufacture, sell, and install our windows, all under one roof. Unlike a few of our competitors, we take it a step further by also producing our own high-performance glass packages, giving us unmatched control over every component that goes into your window. From our Berea, Ohio, facility, we build custom vinyl replacement windows and glass systems tailored to each homeowner’s unique needs. This end-to-end model enables us to maintain strict quality control, offer reliable and consistent warranties, and serve as your single point of accountability from initial quote to final installation.
This article will help you understand why glass is the most critical part of any window and how the right glass package can solve the common problems you may be facing: high energy bills, uncomfortable rooms, and fading interiors. Whether you're replacing one window or your entire home, you’ll gain the knowledge to choose a solution that delivers long-term performance, real savings, and total peace of mind.
Glass Is Your First Line of Defense
While many people focus on frame materials or hardware when shopping for new windows, it is the glass that drives real performance. Today’s glass isn’t just a transparent barrier; it’s a precision-engineered system built for thermal control, UV protection, and energy savings.
Windows are essentially large openings in your home, and without the right technology in place, they can be significant sources of energy loss, heat transfer, and UV exposure. That’s where modern glass packages come in.
Our SmartShield™ Glass System is designed to deliver year-round comfort, energy savings, and protection, starting with advanced glass technology at its core. Here are the primary components:
- Low-E (Low Emissivity) coatings are nearly invisible layers applied to the glass surface. They work by reflecting heat back into your home during the winter to retain warmth, while blocking solar heat during the summer to keep interiors cooler. This smart thermal control can reduce energy usage by up to 24% annually, helping lower your utility bills without sacrificing natural light.
- Next, we fill the space between glass panes with argon gas, a safe, colorless gas that’s denser than air. This layer acts as a powerful insulator, significantly reducing the transfer of heat through the window. As a result, your home stays more comfortable in every season, with less reliance on heating and cooling systems.
- Lastly, our dual- or triple-pane glass options offer enhanced performance. More panes mean more layers of protection, improving insulation, reducing outside noise, and maintaining more consistent indoor temperatures throughout your home. Whether you're dealing with blazing summers or chilly winters, SmartShield™ adapts to your environment, keeping your home efficient and comfortable.
More Comfort, Less Energy Waste
Glass performance has a direct effect on both your comfort and your energy bills. The quality of your window glass determines how well your home holds in heat during the winter and keeps it out during the summer, and that translates into real, measurable savings.
With high-performance glass, your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain a consistent indoor temperature. According to Energy Star, upgrading your windows can reduce energy costs by $125 to $465 per year, depending on your region and the type of windows you install.
The difference isn’t just in your wallet, it’s in how your home feels. Rooms that were once too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer become comfortable and usable all year long. High-performance glass helps eliminate uncomfortable hot spots and chilly drafts, creating a more livable and enjoyable space.
You’ll also experience fewer drafts, less condensation, and more even temperatures throughout your home. That means better air quality, improved efficiency, and a more consistent indoor environment for you and your family.
Plus, if you're upgrading from single-pane to ENERGY STAR® certified double-pane windows with SmartShield Glass, you could potentially save up to 31% on your heating and cooling bills annually.
UV Protection: Block Fading, Not Sunshine
High-performance glass doesn’t just regulate temperature — it also protects the inside of your home from sun damage. Harmful UV rays are responsible for up to 90% of fading on hardwood floors, carpets, artwork, and furniture. Over time, even indirect sunlight can cause costly, irreversible damage to your home’s interior.
Our SmartShield™ Glass is engineered with advanced UV-blocking technology that filters out these damaging rays while still letting natural light brighten your space. This means you can enjoy the beauty of sunlight-filled rooms without sacrificing the long-term appearance and value of your home’s finishes.
Ready for the Real Window Hero?
Your windows should do more than just enhance curb appeal; they should work hard behind the scenes to protect your home, save energy, and keep your living spaces comfortable year-round. Thanks to today’s advanced glass technologies, they can.
Whether you're aiming to lower energy costs, reduce noise, or shield your interiors from UV damage, it all starts with choosing the right glass. Because when it comes to window performance, glass isn’t just part of the solution, it’s the real hero.
With over 70 years of experience, Joyce understands what truly matters to homeowners: comfort, efficiency, and lasting quality. Our SmartShield™ Glass is the result of decades of innovation and in-house engineering, crafted to deliver superior insulation, UV protection, and year-round performance. Discover how much SmartShield™ Glass from Joyce can do for your home, and see why generations of homeowners have trusted us to deliver comfort, value, and peace of mind.
