Window Styles That Provide Natural Ventilation

Natural ventilation is a key factor to consider when choosing window styles for an upcoming window installation project in the Cincinnati area. Not only does ventilation allow for a fresh and airy home, it also helps keep your family healthy.

The Benefits of Natural Ventilation

The Environmental Protection Agency counts poor indoor air quality as one of the top five health hazards in North America. In fact, several studies show that indoor air is at least two times more polluted than outdoor air. Considering that 90% of the entire population spends most of their time indoors, we are all exposed to these risks on a daily basis—we just don’t usually notice them.

What causes indoor air pollution? The answer, surprisingly, is common household items: paint, plastic products, cigarette smoke, and indoor humidity, among others. Paints and some plastics emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulates, even years after they were installed or purchased. Increased indoor humidity encourages mold and mildew growth. In high concentrations, these pollutants can trigger allergies or even cause severe respiratory problems in both children and adults.

Windows That Promote Natural Ventilation

Keeping your Cincy home well-ventilated keeps helps minimize these adverse health effects. Not all window styles are equal when it comes to ventilation, though. To maximize ventilation, you should have two window openings in the same room: an inlet and an outlet. One opening pushes stale air out, while the other admits fresh air.

The following window styles are particularly effective for ventilating your living spaces:

• Double Hung Windows: If the room size only allows one medium-sized window to be installed, choose double hung windows. You can create a small inlet-outlet system by partially opening both sashes and creating two openings. Alternatively, pair your double-hung window with an awning window and create a bigger inlet-outlet system.
• Bay Windows: Bay windows are a combination of two different window styles, with a larger picture window flanked by two smaller operable side windows. By opening both side windows at the same time, stale air gets cycled out efficiently. Choose this style if you can only have one large window in a room.
• Casement Windows: Bigger rooms (like living rooms) require larger inlets and outlets, and no other window style provides bigger openings than casement windows. The open window sash can also catch the breeze if the wind direction is right. All Renewal by Andersen® operable windows come with insect screens, so you won’t have to worry about bugs and leaves getting into your home.

Renewal by Andersen® of Cincinnati serves Cincinnati and West Chester, OH. To learn more about our replacement window options, call us today at (866) 609-5033 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, no-hassle consultation.