To naturally ventilate you invite fresh air inside your home without the need for electrical or mechanical hardware. Not only does this improve indoor air quality, but can cut down on your HVAC costs with “passive cooling.” This is valuable during both the warmer and cooler months of the year in Florida. You save money, stay comfortable, and it is good for your health and the environment. The best way to promote natural ventilation in your home is with the right placement of the right window styles. Sometimes this requires replacement windows in Palmetto, FL.
Different areas of the Home have Different Ventilation Needs
Kitchens need a lot of ventilation to help get rid of the heat and humidity from cooking and large appliances like stoves and dishwashers. Bathrooms also benefit from ventilation, but you still need to maintain some privacy. This can make window selection tricky. Bedroom windows should not only let in light and ventilation, but they also have to meet certain safety standards. With all these considerations, here are just a few replacement windows styles that will improve natural ventilation and meet your other needs.
Single Hung and Double Hung Windows
In single hung only one sash moves up and down to open, in double hung both sashes can move. Unfortunately these windows are often narrower than other window styles and don’t provide as much natural light or ventilation. But if you have limited wall space and want to capitalize on ventilation choose the double hung systems. By opening both the top and bottom, these windows naturally force warmer air out the top and draw the outside air in through the bottom.
Horizontal Sliding Windows
These are another standard in many homes. The window frames on sliding windows can support larger panes of glass, and though you can only open half of the window, it still provides a lot of air movement and ventilation. They are also very easy to operate and maintain. These windows work well in bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms. The only drawback is the multiple breaks in these windows make them less energy efficient.
Awning Windows
These windows hinge at the top and push out to open, the glass creating a little roof over the opening. These are great to use for ventilation on rainy days, because you don’t have to worry as much about water getting inside your home. But while these windows do have various sizes, larger awning windows get more difficult to operate safely. So you might be limited on some of the size options you can choose.
Casement Windows
These windows are like awning windows tilted on their side. They open outward, usually with a hand crank. These windows work great for hard to reach areas, like behind couches or above the sink. The great part about these windows is you can use the entire opening for ventilation. But again, the hinges on these window frames cannot support wide expanses of glass. So though you can open the entire window, the size will often be smaller than other styles.
Bay and Bow Windows
These larger installations are great for both light and ventilation. Bay windows typically feature a larger fixed window flanked by two smaller operable windows like casements of single hung windows set on an angle. This allows for air to come in through multiple directions.
To capitalize on natural ventilation you need to think about the placement of your replacement windows in Palmetto, FL. To foster cross patterns you need operable windows on opposite sides of your home. This creates currents so the air can move from one side of your home to the other, pulling fresh air in and pushing the hot, stale air out. The experts of Armored Dade Windows and Shutters can help you choose the right placement and window styles for better ventilation. Contact (941) 798-9010 for a quote or visit 8112 Cortez Rd. West, Bradenton, FL. 34210 for more information.
