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Why You Should Consider Indoor Air Quality When You Replace Your Windows

Did you know that most of us spend about 90% of our time indoors (even more if you include time in an enclosed vehicle such as your car or even public transportation).  This includes both where we live as well as where we work.  And for many of us, those two places are the same. Add to that where we shop (more and more being done online.)

Nearly one-quarter of us report being in our homes around 20 hours a day! 

All these statistics mean most of the air you’re breathing comes from indoors.  Sadly, most people you ask will say there is no difference between indoor and outdoor air quality. Which is wrong, very wrong.  In fact, our respiratory systems can be far more impaired by what’s in the air in our homes than what we might breathe in outdoors.

What’s floating around in the air in your home could be more health-threatening than outdoor pollutants and allergens. Some of that is VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which can be off-gassed by everything from paint to carpeting to furniture.  Add to that the cleaning chemicals we use as well as the aerosols meant to eliminate odors (which basically just cover them up.)  Then there are microorganisms floating around, like airborne bacteria and viruses.  And because with today’s home construction techniques, our houses are far more air-tight than those our grandparents lived in, that indoor air keeps recirculating, so we keep breathing and re-breathing the same contaminated air.  Even expensive air purifiers can be strained to keep up.

So what is the answer for improving indoor air quality?  Home remodeling, incorporating energy-efficient replacement windows that allow you to maximize fresh air inside your home.  (And don’t forget about screened storm doors and patio doors that will also add to bringing the outside air in.)  This falls in line with a major home design trend that’s been very popular for the past several years – bringing the outdoors inside or blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living spaces.

Here are just a few tips to keep in mind when you’re replacing your windows with a view towards increasing ventilation.

  • Window style matters.  Some windows are better maximizing ventilation than others.  For example, the double hung window is the traditional popular choice, but that design only allows for air flowing in from half the area.  A better style would be the slider (air through the entire panel), or even the casement window.  Casement windows that open out can catch air from several directions and direct it indoors.  (Not the casement window in the photo above opens in rather than out; sometimes for practicality and ease of use, that’s a better option.  But you still get plenty of air flow.)
  • Don’t forget the screens.  Here in Minnesota, we really can’t go without screens on our windows – our homes would be filled with mosquitoes and other annoying insects.  Choose window screens that are durable but have excellent air flow capacity.
  • Add operable windows to fixed styles like picture windows. One popular combo is to put awning windows beneath picture windows.  That way you get air flow near the bottom of the room, and since warm air rises, the fresh air will be drawn upwards.  

We’ve got some other ideas, too.  Our goal is to provide the perfect window solution for each customer.  And working with indoor air quality issues is just one of our considerations.  If we can help you with your home, please reach out to us.  We are THE replacement window company in Minneapolis.

 

 

 

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Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.

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