We all know how harmful UV rays can be on our skin, but did you know that they can also be harmful to the interiors of our homes? Most people put on sunscreen to protect themselves from sun damage, but what should we put on our windows that will protect our drapes and furniture? If you’ve noticed that the paint on your walls, your furniture or your drapery has become faded over time, that is the result of UV rays damaging your home through your windows. The sunlight passing through your windows also effect’s your home’s energy-efficiency, causing your air conditioner to work harder during those summer months. If this is the case for your home, you most likely have outdated, single-pane windows that you might want to get replaced.

UV Ray Sun Damage Prevention

If you have outdated windows, the only way you can reliably protect your home from UV ray damage is by keeping all the blinds and curtains drawn, every single day. Obviously, this is not an ideal solution, especially if you love the view from your windows.

Luckily, thanks to advances in technology, there are replacement windows available that are coated with Low-E glass coating. This creates an invisible film over the window that blocks harmful UV rays. Low-E stands for low emittance, and it means that there will be less UV rays penetrating your windows and causing damage to your furniture.

Here are a few things in your home that are susceptible to sun damage:

  • Fabrics and Upholstery – Your drapes are usually one of the first things to show signs of sun damage in your home interior.
  • Wallpaper – The wallpaper and paint on your walls will also fade due to direct sunlight. They will lose their brilliance and become dull.
  • Natural wood floors – Sunlight can cause darkening or lightening on your flooring, depending on the material. Once the damage has been done, re-staining or replacing the material becomes necessary.
  • Photos and paintings – Old photos especially do not do well in direct sunlight because the ink used to produce them at the time was not made to withstand it.

 

All of these things will fade and eventually become destroyed if exposed to direct sunlight over a long period of time.

Benefits of Low-E Windows

Low-E windows will help you protect your home and your belongings because of its special coating, which is invisible to the naked eye so you can still enjoy those sunny days. The film not only prevents UV rays from entering your home, but also makes your home more energy-efficient and eliminates hot spots. Low-E windows will keep the heat out during the summer, and the heat in during the winter.

Getting Low-E window Installation is a good idea for all homeowners. When you’re ready to install your new windows, contact us at Best Windows & Doors Inc. in Winnipeg, or call us today if you have any questions about your windows or would like a quote from one of our expert window installers.