How Replacement Windows Reduce Sun Damage and Improve Well-being

Replacement windows, specifically those with an ENERGY STAR rating, have qualities that can contribute to not only your home’s wellbeing but you and your family’s as well. Improve air quality, reduce sun damage, and more, with new replacement windows. What windows are best for receiving these benefits and how do they contribute to a happier and healthier home?

Overview: What Makes a Window Better Than the Rest?

Certain windows are designed to perform better in reducing UV rays and air passage, like ENERGY STAR rated windows. Paired with more durable frames and proper installation, new replacement windows can also better prevent mold and condensation, which can damage your home and pollute your indoor air. 

Windows with a Low E coating are best at reducing the amount of harmful UV rays that enter your home. The coating is an invisible layer of metallic oxide on each glass pane. With two or more panes, the effectiveness increases. 

A high condensation resistance score and a low air leakage (AL) score also keep the amount of moisture and air transference to a minimum, resisting the build-up of condensation and humidity which could result in mold and mildew. 

A high visible transmittance (VT) score indicates how much light is able to pass through a window. This is significant for health because ample natural light, with or without UV rays, works to reduce bacteria in your home. More natural light is also great for your plants and your mental health. 

Low U-factor scores and a region-appropriate solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) both tell you how much heat is lost or gained, which will impact how comfortable you’ll be inside your home. If your windows are allowing too much heat in, you’ll have hotspots near your windows that make those areas uncomfortable. 

Durable window frames that can withstand temperature swings, wind, moisture, and regular use will resist warping, rotting, and corroding. These materials will keep moisture out, save your interiors from damage, and keep your indoors cleaner. 

Keep Your Furniture and Finishes Looking New

Furniture, drapes, and other finishes that are near a window tend to fade with long-term exposure to the sun. The UV rays that most windows allow through, especially older windows with single panes, damage your interiors and result in having to repair and replace these elements sooner than most homeowners would prefer. Extended exposure to UV rays can also fade or discolor your floors. Hardwood floors will need refinishing and parts of your manufactured floors may need to be replaced. 

New windows with a Low-E coating will prevent UV rays from penetrating the glass and damaging your interiors. And although new windows made with these technological advances do cost more on the front end, you’ll save in proxy costs over the lifetime of your windows. 

Reduce the Sun’s Exposure on Your Skin

A window with Low-E coating not only saves your favorite armchair from fading but will save your arms from too much UV ray exposure as well. If your favorite reading spot is near a window, you’ve probably noticed that the direct light from the sun is nearly as hot as if you were sitting in the sun outside. An older window won’t prevent skin damage like a new window with Low-E coating. 

Improve Air Quality

Air quality isn’t what many homeowners think of when they’re shopping for new replacement windows. The quality of the window and the quality of the installation can preserve the health of your indoor air. The style and ratings of your new replacement windows will have an impact on your indoor air in a few ways. 

Indoor air is known to be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air, making easy ventilation an important feature in new windows. Some styles are better than others for ventilation. Double-hung windows, for example, allow you to lower the upper sash while leaving the lower fixed in place. This is great for taking advantage of cross ventilation by opening several windows in your home, reducing the build-up of indoor pollutants. 

How will you know if your indoor air is especially harmful? If you’ve recently remodeled your home or if your home is newly built, it’s likely that VOCs and other pollutants are plaguing your home. On the other hand, if your home is older, there may be a chance of built-up dust, mildew, and mold that could be poisoning your air. 

You may also show symptoms of poor indoor air quality, like more frequent asthma attacks, feeling fatigued, losing focus, headaches, and overactive allergies. If this is the case, investing in new replacement windows with screens and new casings will enable you to get fresh air in your home and improve your air quality. 

Reduce Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew contribute to poor indoor air quality and damage to your home. Older windows that show frequent condensation, windows with poor AL scores, and warped or otherwise misshapen window frames are the biggest offenders of letting in moisture that will cause mold and mildew. 

New replacement windows with durable frames and a low AL score are the best way to keep mold and mildew from developing and from having to repair major damage that can come from these harmful pollutants. 

Contribute to Your Health and Well-being 

You and your family’s health and well-being are affected by a number of factors every day. Physical comfort, air quality, and getting enough natural light help to improve these things across the board. New replacement windows with low U-factor scores will keep your home from losing too much heat in the winter and a good SHGC means your windows won’t allow heat to enter your home during the summer. 

Hot and cold spots in your home mean your home won’t be able to keep you evenly comfortable during different parts of the year. Thermal comfort can impact your motivation, focus, and mood. 

Even when a window has a low U-factor, a good VT means your home is still receiving plenty of sunlight, which is great for mental health. We all need sunlight for a better mood and motivation. New replacement windows with great rankings can provide that. 

How to Choose the Right Replacement Windows for You and Your Family

With so many ENERGY STAR rated windows on the market, it’s difficult to know which is best for your home. You’ll need the knowledge and experience of a trustworthy advisor that can assess your design goals and family needs. The right windows can add the perfect amount of character and style to your home while creating a healthy indoor environment. 

Window and Door Showplace in Northern Virginia has been helping families choose their perfect windows for decades. We represent only the best quality window makers and use years of expertise to install them, whether they’re replacements or brand-new window openings. Contact Window and Door Showplace for a consultation. We’ll discuss your home’s challenges and invite you into one of our showrooms to introduce you to the best on the market.