U-Factor

The rate of heat loss is indicated in terms of the U-value. The lower, the greater a window’s resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating properties.
U-factor measures how well a product prevents heat from escaping a home or building. U-factor ratings generally fall between 0.15 and 1.20. Products with lower U-value are good at keeping heat inside the building. U-factor is particularly important during the winter season in colder climates. This label displays U-factor in U.S. units. Labels on products sold in markets outside the U.S. may display U-factor in metric units.

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What’s the Difference between U-factor and R-value?

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The biggest difference between U-factor and R-value is that U-factor measures the rate of heat transfer (or loss) while R-value measures the resistance to heat loss. R-value is a measure of conductance and resistance. A product with high conductance will conduct heat quickly, like a hot pan on the stove or a single pane of glass on a cold day. U-factor, on the other hand, takes into account more than conductance. It is also affected by the airflow (convection) around the window and the emissivity (radiated or reflected heat) of the glass.

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