From a young age, we are warned of the damaging effects that the sun can have on our skin. We know to wear sunglasses, apply sunblock, or stay in the shade at the beach, but most don’t think about how the sun affects us indoors. The fact is that harmful UV rays can reach inside our homes as well. Besides the damage to our skin, it can damage home furnishings and increase electric bills.
What is UV Light?
UV or ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation that is responsible for giving us a summer tan. Although it gives our skin a warm glow, the American Cancer Society affirms, “There are no safe UV rays.” From UVA to UVB, both damage the DNA of genes that control skin cell growth.
That’s not to say that soaking up sunlight doesn’t have positive effects, such as producing vitamin D, better sleeping habits, and mood. We can still enjoy the benefits without the bad effects by filtering out harmful UV rays.
Can Damaging Sun Rays Get Inside a Home?
The truth is that UV exposure does take place indoors. The rays enter through the windows directly and indirectly by reflecting off surfaces such as water, sand, rocks, pavement, grass, and more. Some windows that are classified as energy efficient may block the effects of damaging rays by 40-50% if you don’t have this type of window; another way to keep UV rays to a minimum is protective window treatments.
Benefits of Solar Shades or Blinds
Blocks Damaging UV Rays - Solar shades or blinds can block up to 99% of UV rays when fully lowered. Even translucent sheer fabrics can filter 75% of harmful rays without sacrificing the natural light or view of the outdoors. The right solar window treatment can diffuse harsh sunlight while allowing natural light to flow into a living space. Solar shades or blinds offer a variety of openness options and varying degrees of reflectiveness by fabric, brightness, and glare control.
Energy Efficiency - About 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost through windows, and in the cooling season, about 76% of the sunlight that falls on a window enters the home to become heat. Choosing the right window treatment can help you save on heating and cooling bills in the long run.
Protecting Valuable Investments – Not only can the damaging UV rays damage skin, but they can also damage valuable home furnishings. Flooring, sofas, family photos, art pieces, and more can fade over time or even months from excessive UV exposure. The right investment in window treatments can extend the lifespan of these valuable possessions.
Final Thoughts
Solar shades or blinds offer so many benefits, from blocking damaging rays to energy efficiency, all the while protecting the life of home furnishings/valuables. Find the perfect solar window treatment for your home or business. Consider automated motorized window treatments for an extra degree of convenience and protection.
If you’re looking for protective solar shades or blinds, T. Lynn’s can assist with finding the ideal solution for your business or home. We offer a comprehensive collection of blinds, shades, draperies, pergolas, and awnings. Call 715-441-7997 today to schedule a FREE, in-home consultation, or go to tlynns.com and contact us.
Our Wisconsin service areas include:
BY CITY: Abbotsford, Altoona, Augusta, Barron, Bloomer, Chetek, Chippewa Falls, Colby, Cornell, Cumberland, Eau Claire, Greenwood, Hayward, Ladysmith, Loyal, Medford, Menomonie, Neillsville, Owen, Park Falls, Phillips, Rice Lake, Shell Lake, Spooner, Stanley, Thorp
BY COUNTY: Barron, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Washburn