You certainly have learned a lot about windows and glass. The PGT and Solarban xl70 are an excellent system for SW Florida. I am in Tampa and specify the glazing often. This first link shows the glass options.

http://www.ppgideascapes.com/getmedia/49fb50d8-959e-4c8c-994a-5918bc75a271/17745_PGAG-Solrban-70XL-(7097).pdf.aspx

Note that there are a lot of color options, including clear. So it depends on what glass you were looking at. To say solarban to green is too general.

It appears that impact solarban uses Starphire glass which is extremely clean. The link below will give you some info.

http://www.ppgideascapes.com/Glass/Products/Starphire-Glass.aspx

Overall this is a great choice that i have had good luck with. It will render the interior well and provide excellent energy efficiency.

Here is a project that used the glass. Very clear and not green.

http://architecttampa.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_2716-2-e1363548388368.jpg

Good luck.

Thank you for your quick response... very helpful. So you are saying that PGT uses the starphire glass for their impact windows. Is there a difference in color in the Solarban 60 versus the 70xl. Would you be able to comment about the picture window with two smaller flanking windows concern that I have? Worried the picture window (50w 60l) because of size and thickness will look different that the two smaller windows. Do you think the green tint will look too commercial on my older traditional home that will be painted gray?

PGT is a window manufacturer, they don't make the glass. PPG makes the solarban glass. The impact windows in both the solarban xl 70 and 60 both use Starphire glass. See the link below.

http://www.ppgideascapes.com/getmedia/4ead5b82-f4df-4ca4-bfa8-01fbfedb04e6/17054_PGAG-SB60-Starphire-(7060).pdf.aspx

With regards to the picture window, since i haven't seen a picture it's hard to tell the appropriateness of the swap. One problem may be the size of the picture window, Check with your window guy because you may not be able to get a 50 x 60 impact. That's close to the maximum limit on size.

As to the glass color, i mentioned in my first comment that the glass doesn't have a green tint unless you get green glass. Starphire glass is very clear, maybe a slight blue color, which would be fine with your color palate.

This is the picture window

You should be fine, as long as they make the 50 x 60 in impact. Make the two side windows casements and it will open up the view and clean up the lines.

Found out that that PGT Impact windows use their own laminated glass, not the PPG Starphire glass.

I just came across this post looking for information on the green tint to low e glass. I have a large picture window and will be replacing it with two casement windows flanking a solid casement. I was wondering how your windows turned out.

I am in the middle of a replacement right now and I don't know what to do. We ordered 5 windows, hoping to replace a few at a time and now I have very mismatched windows in my great room and kitchen. The low-e windows have a yellow appearance ( I am looking at snow so it is easy to see ) compared to the existing windows we did not replace. Get glass samples and compare them before you buy. It's too late for me, I think I am stuck buying several more windows. Ugh!

We replaced all our windows with clear E2 windows upon my contractors advice. After we pulled the stickers and film off all our windows are green against white windows and white silver brick. I am so upset. Absolutely not the look I was wanting.

I just replaced old, damaged double pane window panels with new low e panels (same frames). I don’t mind the green hue at all. The problem is that the room also has a butt glazed corner unit. Since it’s not possible to use double pane low e glass there, the corner windows are not the same hue as the other windows. The color difference between the low e and butt glazed windows is magnified by the light-colored shades that were just installed. Is there a window film that can be applied to the single pane glass so it matches the other windows? Our HOA will not approve a coating that has a mirror-like appearance from the street. Ideas?

I wish I had seen this discussion early. My new low e 72" by 60" window looks a lot more yellow than the existing windows which give off a gray hue. Ugh. However, like others, I am more or less stuck with it. That said, have you all gotten used to the color difference (no longer see it) and other people say they can't tell or does this still bother you a lot? Thanks in advance from someone who just had the window installed two days ago.

I am having buyers remorse . I ordered low e glass for my home in South Florida. I have no issues as I cover the windows with treatments. However I have 4 French doors over looking my pool. I also have a large overhang ,over my kitchen window and these doors. I am scared to death (before installation) that I will now lose the precious light I do have in that area.

Hello all I was a senior rep for PGT and CGI and now have left a few years ago to start my own impact window and door company. A few quick notes:

Low e and clear impact glass:
The amount of light that passes through isn’t actually reduced by all that much somewhere in the neighborhood of 20% less.

Turtle code compliant glass:
This is glass that meets a visual transmittance of .45. This glass for Windows is typically gray colored glass(not the 3m window tint) with low solar ban 70 otherwise known as energy shield max.

Green glass= clear impact glass with Solarban 70 or “energy shield max” and is the most efficient coating of low e that PGT offers.

Purple or bluish glass= clear impact solarban 60 or “energy shield” it is roughly 15% less efficient at reflecting the suns UV Rays than solarban 70

I personally highly suggest against a tinted impact only glass such as gray or bronze with a low e or solarban coating without also adding what is know as laminated insulated glass. Without the insulated glass the laminated only with gray and the low e coating becomes extremely hot with direct sunlight which then transfers into your home or business and counteracts your original intent.

I’m happy to help anyone with questions. Should anyone have any.

When we built our house in Vermont we also got low-e windows, but in addition, we also got the argon gas-filled Thermopane. Boy, I'm glad we did when those arctic air blasts came in winter! The same could be said for getting them to ward off the intense heat in summer in Forida.

I'm in the process of changing out several windows in my house for impact windows since I live in south Florida. The contractor who will be replacing my windows keeps talking about a grey glass over clear which is what I'm used to having. He recommends the grey for the sun and look which he says that's what most of his installations are. I'm afraid to make a choice and later regret not liking them in grey. I'm also considering the shade a grey can reflect. I have search and search online but can't get a sense if what he's comparing. Has anyone had windows installed in south Florida with grey glass that can post pictures? I would greatly appreciate the help.

Hi James,
I live in Florida and 5 years ago we had a patio addition done where the builder used PGT windows with PPG solarban 60 glass. We have Aluminum frames and needed to blend the new windows with the original 2003 clear, no low E, double pane glass windows, which worked out great because we can’t even tell the difference.
They are not a green tint and look clear.
Now we are looking at replacing the glass in
in the original double pane windows across the front of the house, where the seals have now broken. It appears that window and glass companies all use different glass manufacturers. How do we find a company that will replace our glass with the PPG solarban 60 glass? Since we know exactly what it looks like we are hesitant in going with a different glass manufacturer and getting green windows. The company who gave us an estimate, uses windows from FGD. They say they will be green.