Breathe Easy: Healthy Home Living Advice

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. April 03, 2007 — When it comes to the health and well-being of a home and its owners, windows and doors can play a major role.

A home’s environment is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, where oftentimes air pollutants are higher than those outdoors. However, homeowners can take a few simple steps to help create a healthy living environment.

“Choosing the right windows and doors and using them properly contributes to a home’s indoor environment,” says Brian Hedlund, product marketing manager for JELD-WEN. “If used correctly, they provide necessary elements such as fresh air and natural light, and ensure that indoor environment and climate systems work as effectively as possible.”

To maintain a healthy home, consider these easy steps:

Create ventilation. They don’t call it fresh air for nothing. Weather permitting, windows should be opened for 30 minutes a day, twice a day. However, opening access to the outdoors calls for screens that keep out debris and insects. JELD-WEN Custom Wood Windows with Phantom Screens retract out of sight when not in use, yet are an attractive way to allow fresh air in, while keeping pests out.

Control mold. A little mold in the home can turn into a large problem if not stopped. Preventing moisture is a key step in the fight against mold, and windows and doors are the first line of defense in stopping water from entering your home. To prevent water from seeping in, make sure windows and doors are installed correctly and sealed tight, and consider upgrading to windows with dual-pane insulated glass to reduce the condensation that can build up during winter months. Using exhaust fans, opening windows and doors frequently and enhancing airflow with proper roof ventilation are also important steps in moisture control. 

Protect your home and yourself. Being indoors does not mean you’re automatically protected from the sun’s rays. UV rays can still enter a home through ordinary windows without UV protection. Choosing windows with energy efficient Low-E glass will block up to 85 percent of harmful UV rays that can also cause interior fading on furniture and carpets. The coating on Low-E glass reflects the sun’s heat outdoors in the summer while allowing desirable visible light indoors. Low-E glass will keep a home more energy efficient and allow for better temperature control by keeping out the heat in the summer and holding it in during the winter.

In addition to UV rays, a home should also be protected from other dangers such as intruders and fire. By upgrading to impact-resistant glass, homeowners can help prevent forced entry because even if the glass cracks under pressure due to an attempted break-in, the fragments will adhere to the strong, laminated interlayer, leaving no openings or holes in the glass. For added safety, interior doors that are fire-rated can provide protection in an emergency situation, when every minute counts.

Create a peaceful environment. Creating a quiet, peaceful environment contributes to mental and physical health by facilitating relaxation and sleep. Choose sound-absorbing materials like solid-core doors or dual-pane glass windows to cut down on unwanted noise from home appliances, street traffic or loud neighbors. Homeowners who are looking to escape noise and chaos can create in-home, spa-like retreats using materials such as decorative glass to bring in natural light while maintaining privacy.