With the events of the past year, the question on many homeowners’ minds is “How can I make my home healthy?” People have been spending more time at home than ever before, either through the lockdowns, a reduced desire to venture outside or even because work has shifted to the home setting. According to research compiled by Andersen Windows & Doors, four out of five homeowners have stated that creating a healthier environment at home is now top priority, and this rising demand continues to create many exciting opportunities for building professionals.

Here, the team at Andersen outlines some of what they believe are the best solutions building professionals could use that would benefit the health and wellbeing of building occupants in the long-term.

Increase Air Quality through Mindful and Natural Ventilation

Without adequate ventilation and a regular influx of fresh air into a home, inside air can become stale or even toxic with concentrations of chemicals, carbon monoxide, radon, and moisture that can lead to mold, structural issues, or illness.

Choosing larger windows increases airflow, and with the right screen to keep out the insects, builders can vastly increase the amount of fresh air that is able to make it into the home during the summer months.

Promote Health and Productivity with Natural Sunlight

As a source of extra warmth and light, sunlight entering through the glass of windows and doors is an easy way to increase the well-being of families, reduce a home’s energy bills, and provide a natural disinfectant that helps reduce the growth of mold and mildew. Larger-sized windows and glass-filled doors allow greater benefits with increased natural light entering a home.

Reduce Heat Transfer and HVAC Costs with Effective Glass Coating

While heat transfer through window and door glass can be beneficial at times in some climates and seasons, it can also backfire. In fact, windows can be one of the greatest losses or gains of heat in a building, which is why the intentional placement and use of fenestration is necessary. This can reduce unwanted heat gain and ease the strain placed on HVAC systems.

Working with homeowners to determine the best coating for each façade of a home can provide the greatest heat abatement since every home situation is different. However, low-E 366 coatings can be beneficial in most situations.

Block Exterior Sound to Create Calmer Interiors

The shape of the home and its landscaping can affect the amount of noise entering a home, and specifying double- or triple-pane glass, as well as proper installation methods, can reduce unwanted sound transmission and create a healthier home by helping create a calmer interior-focused environment.

However, there are products specifically designed for sound abatement, like Andersen’s E-Series products that minimize resonation and produce high ratings for sound control by allowing for customization of glass thicknesses and space between panes.