This invention relates to a coated article including a low-emissivity (low-E) coating. In certain example embodiments, the low-E coating is provided on a substrate (e.g., glass substrate) and includes at least first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers (e.g., silver based layers) that are spaced apart by contact layers (e.g., NiCr based layers) and a dielectric layer of or including a material such as silicon nitride. The dielectric layer is split by a layer of or including zirconium oxide, in order to improve durability. In certain example embodiments, the coated article has a low visible transmission (e.g., no greater than 60%, more preferably no greater than about 55%, and most preferably no greater than about 50%).

Provided is a functional building material for a door and a window, comprising a transparent substrate and a low-emissivity coating formed on one surface of the transparent substrate, wherein the low-emissivity coating comprises a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, a third dielectric layer, a first low-emissivity protection layer, a low-emissivity layer, a second low-emissivity protection layer, a fourth dielectric layer, a fifth dielectric layer and a sixth dielectric layer which are stacked sequentially from the transparent substrate, wherein the refractive index of the first dielectric layer and the refractive index of the third dielectric layer are each lower than the refractive index of the second dielectric layer, and the refractive index of the fourth dielectric layer and the refractive index of the sixth dielectric layer are each lower than the refractive index of the fifth dielectric layer.

A low-E coating has good color stability (a low E* value) upon heat treatment (HT). Thermal stability may be improved by the provision of an as-deposited crystalline or substantially crystalline layer of or including zinc oxide, doped with at least one dopant (e.g., Sn), immediately under an infrared (IR) reflecting layer of or including silver; and/or by the provision of at least one dielectric layer of or including an oxide of zirconium. These have the effect of significantly improving the coating's thermal stability (i.e., lowering the E* value). An absorber film may be designed to adjust visible transmission and provide desirable coloration, while maintaining durability and/or thermal stability. The dielectric layer (e.g., of or including an oxide of Zr) may be sputter-deposited so as to have a monoclinic phase in order to improve thermal stability.

A substrate having a coating is disclosed. The coating is formed of a plurality of layers. A base layer of the plurality of layers includes an alloy, and at least two additional layers include silver. A coating for a substrate is also disclosed. A method of coating a substrate is further disclosed.

A low-E coating has good color stability (a low E* value) upon heat treatment (HT). The provision of an as-deposited crystalline or substantially crystalline layer of or including zinc oxide, doped with at least one dopant (e.g., Sn), immediately under an infrared (IR) reflecting layer of or including silver in a low-E coating has effect of significantly improving the coating's thermal stability (i.e., lowering the E* value). One or more such crystalline, or substantially crystalline, layers may be provided under one or more corresponding IR reflecting layers comprising silver.

A coated article includes a substrate, a first dielectric layer, a subcritical metallic layer having discontinuous metallic regions, a primer over the subcritical layer, and a second dielectric layer over the primer layer. The primer can be a nickel-chromium alloy. The primer can be a multilayer primer having a first layer of a nickel-chromium alloy and a second layer of titania. The subcritical layer can contain copper and silver.

A material includes a transparent substrate coated with a stack of thin layers successively including, starting from the substrate, an alternation of three silver-based functional metal layers of increasing thickness and of four dielectric coatings denoted, starting from the substrate, M1, M2, M3 and M4, wherein each dielectric coating includes at least one high-index dielectric layer, the refractive index of which is at least 2.15 and the optical thickness of which is greater than 20 nm.

A coated article includes a silver (Ag) based infrared (IR) reflecting layer(s) on a glass substrate that is provided adjacent to and contacting at least one metallic or substantially metallic zinc (Zn) inclusive barrier layer in order to improve chemical durability characteristics of the low-E coating. In certain example embodiments, the silver based layer may be sandwiched between first and second metallic or substantially metallic barrier layers of or including zinc. The IR reflecting layer(s) and zinc based barrier layer(s) are part of a low emissivity (low-E) coating.

A low-E coating has good color stability (a low E* value) upon heat treatment (HT). Thermal stability may be improved by the provision of an as-deposited crystalline or substantially crystalline layer of or including zinc oxide, doped with at least one dopant (e.g., Sn), immediately under an infrared (IR) reflecting layer of or including silver; and/or by the provision of at least one dielectric layer of or including an oxide of zirconium. These have the effect of significantly improving the coating's thermal stability (i.e., lowering the E* value). An absorber film may be designed to adjust visible transmission and provide desirable coloration, while maintaining durability and/or thermal stability. The dielectric layer (e.g., of or including an oxide of Zr) may be sputter-deposited so as to have a monoclinic phase in order to improve thermal stability.

A method of tinting or coloring glass. The following layers are deposited onto the glass: a first dielectric layer, a subcritical metallic layer; a primer layer; and a second dielectric layer. Alternatively, these layers may be deposited onto the glass: a first dielectric layer, a subcritical metallic layer; and a second dielectric layer. Alternatively, the invention is a coated article that includes a substrate, a first dielectric layer, an absorbing layer, and a second dielectric layer over the primer layer. The absorbing layer can be Inconel, titanium nitride, cobalt chrome (stellite), or nickel chrome material, and has a thickness in the range of 50 to 150 .