# Low-e coating location

**URL:** <https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/low-e-coating-location/5882>\
**Category:** Project Development & Documentation\
**Created:** [May 16, 2024, 9:59pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/low-e-coating-location/5882 "2024-05-16T21:59:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![wildlandguy](https://blackspectacles.com/uploads/images/1.png) [@wildlandguy](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/wildlandguy)\
**Post date:** [May 16, 2024, 9:59pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/low-e-coating-location/5882/1 "2024-05-16T21:59:42Z")

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good afternoon,

if you have a double glazed insulated glazing unit, which surface should the low-e coating be applied to? surface 1 is exterior and surface 4 is interior for reference.

thanks

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**Author:** ![kiaragalicinao](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/community.blackspectacles.com/kiaragalicinao/32/1607_2.png) [@kiaragalicinao](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/kiaragalicinao)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 2:49pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/low-e-coating-location/5882/2 "2024-05-17T14:49:19Z")

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Hi @wildlandguy ! Thank you for your question.

Where the low-e coating should be applied depends on its desired function and performance.

_Passive low-e coatings_ should be applied furthest away from the sun (typically surface #3 or #4).

_Solar control low-e coatings_ should be applied closest to the sun (typically on surface #2).

Check out this [**link**](https://glassed.vitroglazings.com/topics/how-low-e-glass-works) for more information and a general overview on how low-e glass works.

I hope this helps. Happy studying!

Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB  
**Black Spectacles**