
Casement vs Double-Hung Windows
June 5, 2020
How To Find The Cause of Drafty Windows
June 29, 2020The sun is one of the most damaging things for your property. This is something that very few of us ever consider, but you only need to make a quick inspection of your home to know it’s true.
Take a look at any books on a bookcase that is near a window. What you will find is that the pages and any books with white or light covers are now discolored. They will look slightly yellow and old. That “aging” is not in fact caused by oxidation or anything in your air: it is a result of the sun.
Sun Damage & Home Windows: What Homeowners Need to Know
Likewise, take a look at your carpet and specifically try to take note of the square where the natural light hits it on a summer’s day. Depending on your window and how long you’ve had the carpet, you are highly likely to find that this square is much lighter than the surrounding area. And again, it might also look yellowish!
This is sun damage once again. It is bleaching that has damaged the pigment of those things. And this is before you consider the other effects that the sun can have on your home!
So what do you do?
What Is Causing This?
First, we must address what is causing the problem in the first place. The short answer is that UV rays are damaging your carpet. We are all soaked in UV rays every single day when we go outside. These UV rays are what cause cancer and sunburn, by passing through the outer layers of your skin and vibrating the cells at a very high rate.
If you have single-pane windows, then these UV rays can pass through those no problem. And yes: that means it is possible to get sunburn from sitting by the window! It also means that your poor carpet is going to be damaged by the radiation that will leach the color.
This also means lots of heat coming into your home. That heat will impact your cooling costs and it will cause damage in other ways too. For example, heat can cause wood window frames, floors, and doors to expand or warp, which in turn can prevent a proper fit: causing damage or preventing normal operation.
Damage to the Home Windows Themselves
Many people never consider the impact that the sun has on their windows. We think of the sun as something that passes through the glass in our windows, and thus we rarely consider that it is also acting on that glass as it does come through. But this oversight can cause problems down the line. After all, your windows are among the parts of your home that receive the most light. And this light is very much impacting on their appearance and their lifespan.
Ultraviolet rays from the sun will pass through your windows and in doing so, they actually degrade some of the treatment in the glass itself. What this means is that the window will actually get worse over time! You’ll also find that surrounding elements of your window can get damaged by sunlight. This can include the windowsill for example or the frame.
So What is the Solution?
That’s the problem in a nutshell, so what is the solution?
The best option is to consider investing in replacement windows. Replacement windows can include additional treatments that will help to block UV rays. For example, look for something called a “Low-E Glass Coating.” This window treatment will help to reflect the sunlight and heat off of your windows.
This is just one option, however. Another solution is to consider getting a glass that has a tint. This is a slight alteration in the color that will likewise change which lightwaves make it through the glass and into your home. Of course, this will impact more than just the UV rays and can also have a big impact on the way your home feels. If you don’t like the idea of blocking out light, how about having a tint with a gradient that only blocks some light at the top of the pane?
Other temporary solutions for existing windows include investing in netting or blinds that can be used to block some light from the inside. But seeing as replacement windows have so many other benefits and will increase the value of your home, this would ideally be the best option!
North Country Windows & Baths | Window Company in Lincoln, NE
At North Country Windows & Baths, our Windows are backed by a Lifetime Warranty giving our customers peace of mind. Each window is custom made to fit your home with state-of-the-art engineering by design, and energy efficiency enhanced by style. Our windows are made to last for years of maintenance-free beauty.
With so many products on the market today, selecting the window or patio door that is right for your home, family, and environment can be a little overwhelming. That’s why our designers and engineers developed a triple pane vinyl replacement window and patio door system that takes the guesswork out of ‘window shopping’ and puts your family’s wants and needs into action. Click here to see more information on our home window replacements.