A less-known yet vital consideration when planning for windows installation is indoor ventilation. Aside from airing out unwanted odors, a properly-ventilated home is essential to keeping your family healthy.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
The EPA counts poor indoor air quality as one of the top five health hazards in North America. In fact, several studies have proven that indoor air is up to a hundred times more polluted than outdoor air. And as most of us spend 90% of our time inside indoor environments, we are all exposed to poor indoor air quality on a daily basis, we just don’t notice.
But try going on a trip for a few days, then come back to your home; you’ll immediately notice that the air indoors is stale, even unpleasant. This is because of the accumulated indoor air pollutants like off-gassing from common interior products like paint and plaster. They emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulates, sometimes even years after they’re installed. Also, high indoor humidity encourages mold growth. These pollutants cause anything from mild allergies to respiratory complications in both children and adults.
Proper Ventilation
Fortunately, there is a simple solution: proper ventilation by opening your windows for 15 minutes a day. However, not all window styles are as effective as others when it comes to effective ventilation. The key is through an inlet-and-outlet system: two openings in the same room allow fresh air to be pushed in, and stale air to be pushed out.
For example, bay windows typically have two smaller operable side windows, and by opening them at the same time, you create an inlet and an outlet. Double hung windows achieve this same effect by opening the sashes in a way that there are top and bottom openings.
Bigger rooms need bigger windows, and this is where our casement windows work best. Open two casement windows in the living room and the air pressure does the rest. All Renewal by Andersen® operable windows come with insect screens (upgradeable to TruScene™) so you won’t have to worry about insects or leaves getting in. By regularly airing out your home, your family can enjoy a healthy environment free from indoor air pollutants.
Renewal by Andersen® of Atlanta serves Atlanta and other nearby areas. To know more about casement windows or other window styles suited for indoor ventilation, call us today at (866) 609-5033 or fill out our contact form to receive a free estimate and in-home consultation with our local window and door experts.
