This paper presents a mathematical model with numerical simulations of the heat transfer across a simple glass window. The model is two-dimensional, transient based upon the energy equation with a source term to account for the solar radiation absorbed through the glass sheet. Variable incident solar radiation and external ambient temperature are considered in the numerical simulations. The governing equations and the associated boundary conditions are discretized by the finite difference approach and the ADI scheme. Numerical simulations are realized for the cases of clear and absorbing glass to show the effect of the glass thickness on the total heat gain, the solar heat gain and the shading coefficient. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.