Indoor air quality is a bigger problem than most homeowners think. It’s ranked by the EPA as among the top five health hazards in the country. And according to several studies, indoor air can be at least twice as polluted as outdoor air.
Poor indoor air quality can trigger allergies, aggravate respiratory conditions, and lower overall indoor air comfort, which is why it’s important that your home has adequate ventilation. A mechanical ventilation system is the first thing that comes to mind whenever you think about improving indoor air quality. But don’t overlook the importance of natural ventilation. For one thing, it doesn’t consume electricity and is practically maintenance-free.
Windows can help improve home ventilation. But to fully harness natural ventilation, you need to choose the right window. The roofing and window contractors at Howard Roofing & Home Improvements share some tips on choosing the right windows for your home and how to maximize the ventilation they provide:
Windows That Provide Optimal Ventilation
Not all windows can provide the same level of ventilation. As a rule of thumb, you should choose windows that can be opened as wide as possible. With this in mind, casement windows would be a good choice. The sash on casement windows cranks open completely, providing maximum ventilation. Double-hung windows would also be a good choice: They have a movable, two-operating sash that can provide ventilation from the top and the bottom. Since stale, humid air exits your home through openings on the upper portion of your home, it’s best to leave the window sash down. To learn more about your window options, consult a window and roof repair contractor.
Take Advantage of Cross-Ventilation
If you’re planning a window replacement, contractors recommend having your new windows installed in the northern and southern parts of your home to maximize cross-ventilation. Cross-ventilation is a natural cooling method that takes advantage of the differences in outside and indoor air pressure to draw fresh air into your home. And to make sure your new windows are installed properly, only an experienced contractor should handle their installation.
Howard Roofing & Home Improvements, a company with over four decades of experience, offers professional exterior services, including window and roof installation services, as well as premium asphalt shingle roofs. To get a free quote, call us at (636) 296-1057 or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Belleville, IL, as well as the surrounding communities.