Are Your Windows Damaging Your Home’s Interior?
Does your siding look discolored? Does your roof look faded? These issues are only a few symptoms of exposure to the sun’s UV rays that you might notice. What might surprise you is that the damage from the sun doesn’t stop at your home’s exterior. Your home’s interior can also suffer damage without proper protection.
It’s likely your current windows aren’t working hard enough to keep these harmful rays and heat from entering your home, leaving your flooring and furnishings vulnerable. The most effective way to protect your interior from the sun is to invest in energy-efficient windows.
Related Article: How Temperature and Humidity Affect Your Home
Heat, Humidity, and UV Damage
Your home’s exterior is regularly exposed to UV, heat, and humidity without protection, but old inefficient windows leave your interior vulnerable as well. If you live in a coastal climate, the dangers of this exposure are even more prevalent.
UV rays and heat go hand in hand. The sun casts UV rays which can discolor, bleach, and heat materials. Even without direct exposure to UV rays, materials exposed to heat can break down, warp, and melt. In coastal and southern climates, humidity can also play a large role in damage to building materials and furnishing. Excessive moisture and warmth create an environment that rots and rusts materials. This climate also harbors and encourages the growth of mold and fungus.
Old or inefficient windows allow for UV rays, heat, and humidity to enter and flourish within the home, causing irreversible damage. Your carpets, hardwood floors, furniture, and other precious possessions need the right protection to live their full lifespan.
Related Article: A Guide to Understanding Heat Damage
How Energy-Efficient Windows Work
Homeowners can ensure a more comfortable environment within the home that protects their furnishings by investing in an upgrade to energy-efficient windows. Not only will updating your windows create a better seal between your interior and the outdoors, but energy-efficient windows will provide proper UV and heat protection.
Windows have energy rating labels created by the NFRC that help you determine energy performance. This energy rating includes U-Factor, Solar Heat Gain, and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. The U-Factor measures heat loss or gain through your windows due to heat conduction, while Solar Heat Gain measures it according to UV rays. A lower number for both of these measurements means your windows are efficient. Finally, the Soar Heat Gain Coefficient measures the solar radiation that passes through the window.
Energy-efficient windows block a certain percentage of UV rays from entering your home, keeping your interior at a more controlled temperature, also known as reducing Solar Heat Gain.
Related Article: How to Read Energy Efficiency Labels
Improve Your Home With Energy-Efficient Windows
Upgrading to energy-efficient windows does more than make your home’s climate more comfortable. By blocking the UV rays and sealing out the weather, your home’s HVAC system will instantly become more efficient at stabilizing the temperature and humidity. Heat, humidity, and UV damage will be drastically lessened, and so will your energy bills!
If you’re interested in learning more about your energy-efficient window options, or you’re ready to start your window installation project, contact Advance Inc.