Being indoors does not always guarantee protection from the sun’s damaging effects. Just as sunscreen is critical outside to protect against skin cancer and eye damage, proper protection for windows and doors helps block powerful UV rays from causing irreversible damage to fabrics and furniture inside.
It’s discouraging when the color of a new couch, rug, or quilt fades from the shade of sun rays. The first step for many homeowners is buying windows and doors with Low-E glass and finishing exterior doors with a UV-stabilized polyurethane coating. The coating helps filter out harmful rays that can damage your goods.
Read below to learn more about the best ways to ensure energy-efficient windows and doors are providing your home with essential benefits.
Low-E Glass Blocks Harmful UV Rays
Many Low-E glass products block up to 99.5% of harmful UV rays that cause interior fading. The ultra-thin metallic coating on Low-E glass reflects heat outside on warm days. It also contains heat inside during cold weather. A home protected by Low-E glass stays comfortable year-round with lower heating and cooling costs while protecting your home from the harmful effects of UV rays.
Low-E glass allows visible light through while blocking UV rays. Without Low-E glass, UV rays can damage your furniture inside. When upgrading windows and doors, choose options with Low-E glass for essential UV protection.
UV Protection for Exterior Doors
A UV protector for doors is another great way to prevent UV ray damage. After staining an exterior wood door, apply a high-quality, UV-stabilized clear polyurethane coating to protect against sun damage. Sunlight can cause wood doors to crack, warp, and fade without a protective finish.
For upgrading exterior doors, fiberglass works well to resist UV rays. Fiberglass doors often have a polyurethane foam core to maximize energy efficiency and withstand sun exposure. Fiberglass itself resists fading, denting, swelling, shrinking, and warping better than wood.
Strategic Window and Door Placement
The direction windows and doors face affects sunlight intensity inside. South- and west-facing windows and doors should enjoy the highest UV protection because they get more direct sun.
Installing overhangs over windows and doors creates shade to block solar radiation. Properly sized overhangs can reduce electricity use and indoor temperatures by up to 15 degrees, depending on climate and location.
Strategic landscaping also provides natural shade. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), correctly planting three trees near a house can save up to $250 a year on energy costs. Trees give a natural canopy of shade for your home.
Choose Windows and Doors Tested to Standards
Manufacturers use various technologies like Low-E glass, gas-filled glass, and improved framing to achieve energy efficiency and UV resistance. Pick quality products, ones tested and certified for energy performance based on industry standards.
For optimal UV resistance and efficiency, look for the ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR outlines strict guidelines appropriate for different climate areas. Compliant products are tested in accredited labs and inspected for verification. This rigorous process ensures windows and doors provide meaningful energy and cost savings. I recommend following guidelines for your climate area for optimal UV protection results.
So, Is UV Protection for Windows and Doors Necessary?
UV protection through Low-E coatings, stabilized finishes, and strategic placement is vital to prevent sun damage. Without safeguards, sunlight can make fixtures, fabrics, floors, and furnishings crack, discolor, and fade prematurely, leading to expensive repairs and replacements over time. Investing in UV-blocking windows and doors is essential to protect possessions and maintain a comfortable indoor environment shielded from harsh sun effects.
FAQs About Window and Door UV Protection
What are the benefits of Low-E glass?
Low-E glass protects inside spaces by blocking up to 99.5% of fading UV rays while allowing visible light to pass through. Low-E glass also helps regulate indoor temperatures.
Should I apply a finish to an exterior wood door?
Yes, apply a UV-stabilized polyurethane finish to protect exterior wood doors from sun damage over time. The finish blocks UV rays, resists fading, and repels water.
What is the best glass for blocking UV rays?
Low-E-coated glass blocks up to 99.5% of UV rays, making it the most effective UV protection option. Some specialized low-maintenance glass, like laminated glass, also provides excellent UV resistance.
Should all windows have UV protection?
Yes, all windows should have UV protection through Low-E coatings or specialized glass. South- and west-facing windows get the most direct sunlight, so UV protection is especially important.
Do ENERGY STAR-certified windows block UV rays?
ENERGY STAR focuses on overall energy efficiency but does not specifically test for UV ray blocking. However, most certified windows do have Low-E glass, laminates, or other UV-blocking features. Check the glass type to verify the level of UV protection.
