Overview:
- UltraViolet will fade furniture, carpets and paintings.
- There are ways to help control these damaging rays.
- Heat, other wavelengths of the Sun’s light and even humidity will also cause fading.
- No glazing combination can completely eliminate fading.
- UV can be scattered off other outdoor surfaces, not only from direct sunlight.
Solution Ideas
Glass
- Laminated Glass cuts 99% of the Sun’s UV rays
- Low-E2 reduces UV by 84%
- Low-E / Tint combinations reduces UV up to 81% (hard coat Low-E)
- Bronze or Grey Tinted glass reduces UV by 68% (hard coat Low-E)
Frame
- Vinyl Windows -- Minimal degradation from UV.
- Wood Windows -- Minimal degradation to exterior painted fiberglass from UV
- Aluminum Windows -- Minimal degradation to exterior painted surface from UV -- no structural damage to aluminum or polyurethane thermal break.
Other Considerations
- South and West exposures offer the most direct sunlight and will generally be a greater concern for UV damage. UV can also be scattered off other outdoor surfaces, so your customer may want to consider protection from other exposures.
- Raw fiberglass exposed to UV will degrade over time. This is why our WoodClad window exterior must be painted.
- Other factors can influence fading. No glazing combination can completely eliminate fading.
- High altitudes actually face a greater UV challenge than our hot climate areas. For example, Telluride Colorado has one of the worst UV indexes in the country at 10,000 ft above sea level.
