There’s nothing better than a sunny summer day. Blue skies, warm temperatures, and abundant sunshine – what’s not to love? What you might not be considering when enjoying the warm summer day? The impact the sunlight may be having on your home. Ultraviolet rays from the sun pass through your windows, impacting your home’s energy efficiency and causing damage to your home furnishings. If you have old, outdated single pane windows, you may consider purchasing darker window treatments or adding window tinting for a temporary fix. However, for a more permanent solution, we recommend upgrading your windows to energy efficient replacement windows. What are UV Rays and Why Should You be Concerned About Them? UV rays are a form of radiation that comes from the sun. We’re exposed to UV rays almost everyday thanks to sunlight entering our home through our windows. Without protection, these UV rays can be harmful to your home and your health. You may notice the color of the paint on your walls or your furniture fading thanks to years of prolonged sunlight exposure. In more serious cases, prolonged UV exposure could lead to burns or possibly cancer. Most UV rays will enter your home through outdated single pane windows. These windows are often builder-grade with low-quality glass. Single pane windows let almost 90% of UV rays into your home, offering no protection against harmful radiation. You may also see impacts on your energy bills – the heat from the Sun will easily pass through your windows, causing your air conditioner to work harder in the hot summer months. How can Replacement Windows Protect Your Home? If you notice any signs of sun damage on your furniture, we recommend replacing your windows with updated replacement windows from Window Nation. Modern replacement windows have a Low-E glass coating, a special coating that reflects sunlight and heat off your windows. Low-E glass from Window Nation is created with silver oxide, a cost-effective option that offers superior reflection capabilities. This special coating works with Argon gas in between the windowpanes to make your windows more energy efficient. Replacement windows from Window Nation are available in a variety of glass options so you can choose the best windows for your home. If your window is in a well-shaded area, you may consider a double pane window which features two panes of Low-E coated glass. These windows offer the best value for homeowners who are looking for energy efficiency at a wallet-friendly price. However, if you’re looking for maximum energy efficiency, triple pane windows are the best choice. These windows offer all the benefits of double pane windows but with an additional pane of glass, blocking 90% of UV rays from entering. These windows are recommended if you’re looking to prevent furniture or paint from fading. Triple pane windows can also be upgraded to Ultimate Triple Pane, featuring all the benefits of triple pane windows with additional coats of Low-E glass on both sides of the window. These windows block 97% of UV rays from entering your home. Need New Windows? When you’re ready to start your window replacement project, schedule an estimate with one of our exterior design consultants. Our team will discuss your project with you and go over your options so you can find the best windows for your home. You’ll then receive a quote good for up to six months. Schedule your in-home estimate today at WindowNation.com.