When you think about maintaining your health and preventing illness and disease, most people envision a healthy diet and regular physical activity. This is, undeniably, a good way to live a healthy life, however, it doesn’t address some of the more pressing sources of danger that we face everything. It focuses on the idea that the illness comes from inside, hence the exercise and healthy eating to keep your body running smoothly. Unfortunately, external forces have a big impact on our health, too, and one of the most inescapable forces is sunlight. Let’s take a look at why UV protection is important and how you can find it in affordable windows in Barrie.
What are UV rays?
You’ve probably read the terms “UVA” and “UVB” on sunscreen bottles, but you might not know what that means or why it’s important to protect yourself from it. Also known as ultraviolet rays, UV rays are one of the most common sources of skin cancer. UVA and UVB rays are both types of UV rays, and they can both contribute to your risk of developing skin cancer. And considering that UV rays come directly from the sun, it might seem difficult to fully protect yourself from exposure. There are a few things you can do, however, like investing in a quality daily sunscreen and limiting your time out in direct sunlight, that can significantly help reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.
When is the risk of UV exposure the strongest?
There are a few different factors that impact when the risk of UV exposure is the strongest. The time of year, for example, can impact how strong UV rays are, although this factor is somewhat lessened in countries near the equator. Typically, spring and summer boast stronger UV rays than fall and winter, so it’s a good idea to limit your exposure to the sun during these seasons. You’ll also want to keep the time of day in mind, as 10 AM to 4 PM are peak hours for UV ray exposure. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that cloudy days are “safe”, either, because UV rays can penetrate clouds – you need to take action to protect yourself every day, regardless of the weather. With that said, it’s important to note that not all exposure to UV rays occurs outdoors.
UV Rays and Windows
Structures, be they buildings or cars, typically keep us safe from the elements. You likely know that it’s more difficult to end up with a sunburn from exposure behind a window than it would be with direct sunlight exposure, and that makes the indoors feel a bit safer from UV rays. Unfortunately, affordable windows in Barrie do not always block these harmful rays and you could be at risk for exposure even while driving or spending time indoors. Keep this in mind when you are opening your curtains and shades at home to let the sunshine in and consider taking additional steps to protect yourself.
UV Protection and Windows
Most affordable windows in Barrie don’t protect against UV rays on their own. There is an exception, however, called “Low-E” windows that do. These single and double-pane windows offer UV and infrared light protection while still allowing the sunlight to filter through just like more traditional windows. This is a great option if experiencing bright, true sunlight indoors is important to you because the other protection options on the market tend to dim windows – and the resulting light they allow in – quite a bit.
Another way to turn your affordable windows in Barrie into strong UV protection is via the use of a UV-blocking film. While this product has been available for decades, it has been rapidly increasing in popularity over the past decade or so as the effects of UV exposure have become better understood. UV film is a great and affordable investment that can turn your affordable windows in Barrie into UV blocking machines, keeping you and everyone else inside safe from the danger. The main downside to film is that it sometimes affects the clarity of the light that does enter your home. It tends to tint windows several shades darker than the sunlight appears outdoors, which means that the interior of your home will be a bit dimmer in natural light than it has been in the past.
Note that the film isn’t all bad. Aside from the obvious pro of blocking UV rays, window film can help regulate the interior temperature of your home by cutting the intensity of the light that reaches you by quite a bit.
Benefits of UV Protection Windows
We know that the main benefit of UV protected windows is the avoidance of exposure to UV rays that cause skin damage and can ultimately lead to skin cancer. There are additional, lesser-known benefits to keep in mind, too. Did you know that UV radiation can reduce the lifetime of your walls, carpets, and other interior furnishings? It’s true! The rays actually cause damage to the material of the objects that they touch. If you’ve ever seen a piece of furniture partially faded because part of it sat in the sunlight and part of it didn’t, you’ve already seen this in action yourself. UV protection windows filter out those rays and keep the interior of your home safe from weathering and discoloration.
Finally, keep in mind that most affordable windows in Barrie that reflect infrared radiation along with UV rays have the added benefit of avoiding heat loss in the winter and heat gain during the summer months. This can impact your energy bill, netting you some savings as you use your heater or air conditioner less. It also adds another layer of insulation, which also boosts energy efficiency. Theoretically, these affordable windows in Barrie pay for themselves in terms of cost savings.
Affordable Windows Barrie
If you’re in the market for affordable windows in Barrie that can keep you safe and sound from UV rays, Clera Windows + Doors can help! Our window installations can be made to fit any house and we’re happy to work with you to create the perfect option.
Contact us today for more information!
