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A home needs to have adequate ventilation. Otherwise, moisture can get trapped inside, creating a damp environment that’s the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew.
Most homeowners prefer using a mechanical ventilation system to improve indoor comfort and air quality, but it’s important to take advantage of natural ventilation as well. Unlike mechanical ventilation, natural ventilation doesn’t require electricity, making it an inexpensive and cost-efficient solution.
To help you take full advantage of natural ventilation, Renewal by Andersen® of Cincinnati, your local window replacement company, shares some tips in this post.
Leaving the windows open at night lets the heat that’s been building up in your home all day escape and allows cool night air inside, helping ventilate your interior for the next day.
Here’s a tip: To fully harness nighttime natural ventilation, contractors recommend installing double-hung replacement windows. Double-hung windows have a sash that can be moved up and down to provide ventilation at both the top and the bottom of the window. Hot indoor air exits your home through one opening, while cool outdoor air enters through the other.
If you’re planning a window replacement, you should install your new windows in the northern and southern parts of your home to maximize cross-ventilation. This natural cooling method takes advantage of differences in outside and indoor air pressure to draw fresh air into a building.
Worried that installing windows in the northern or southern side of your home will interfere with your interior or exterior design? If there’s an unpleasant view from that area, consider planting trees or installing a fence.
One more thing: Don’t forget about your doors, which also play an important role in cross-ventilation. Remember: natural ventilation works best when there are uninterrupted pathways inside your home. To learn more about the kinds of doors that can help improve ventilation and indoor traffic flow, consult a door and window contractor.
Not all windows can provide the same amount of ventilation. To help you choose the right window, here’s a quick overview of the best window styles for boosting natural ventilation inside your home:
• Bay Windows – The two glass panels flanking the bay windows’ fixed middle glass panel allow fresh air to enter your home from two directions. Bay windows are bigger and have a wider glass area than conventional windows, maximizing natural lighting as well as ventilation. Since they’re larger, bay windows are trickier to install. That’s why only a reputable window contractor should handle the installation.
• Casement Windows – There’s a reason why casement windows are one of the most popular windows on the market. Casement windows have one sash that cranks open completely, providing maximum ventilation. If they’re installed on two sides of your home without any barriers in between, they can provide excellent cross-ventilation. Design-wise, casement replacement windows have a traditional style and appeal.
• Sliding Windows – Sliding windows are popular for their effortless operation. A gentle push is all that’s needed to slide them open and let fresh air in. However, sliding windows’ tracks need to be cleaned and lubricated regularly. Otherwise, you may have trouble sliding them open.
If you just don’t have the time for window maintenance, you might want to consider installing Fibrex® sliding windows. Fibrex is a composite with excellent insulative capabilities, making it ideal for the Midwestern climate and temperate climates in general. It’s also durable enough to withstand constant wear and tear, ensuring your sliding windows glide open smoothly every time. To make sure you get to enjoy all of the benefits of Fibrex windows, only a professional window contractor should handle the installation.
Want to learn more about our exclusive Fibrex windows?
Renewal by Andersen of Cincinnati offers a wide variety of premium windows and professional window installation services. What sets us apart as a window replacement company is our signature service. We customize each window according to our customers’ needs. To schedule a free consultation with one of our design experts, call us at (866) 609-5033 or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Cincinnati, OH, as well as the surrounding communities.