Ventilation is an important consideration when buying windows in Utah—or anywhere else in America for that matter. Increased airflow within the room naturally expels heat and moisture, which lowers energy costs and combats the negatives of excessive indoor humidity.
But not all windows are good at admitting drafts and breathing out stale warm air out. Some of them provide little to no ventilation because of size and fixed sash construction.
To boost the flow of air in your house, reliable window companies in Salt Lake City recommend the units below:
Casement Windows
These windows ventilate best since their single glass panel swings outward and renders almost 100% of the opening available for air passage. Casement units installed on opposite walls with no obstruction in between allows cross ventilation. Their sash can also be adjusted to different angles to control the direction of breezes.
Double-hung (and Single-hung) Windows
These units inherently allow 50% of the opening only for ventilation. But the closer they are to the ceiling, the more they can increase a room’s airflow through the stack effect. This phenomenon happens when the hot air moves upward while the cold air from outside goes in the house from below.
When both of their sashes are left ajar, they can ventilate the space efficiently by providing entrance and exit points for the warm and cold air.
Single-hung windows do not take advantage of convection like double-hung units do since their upper sash does not open.
Sliding Windows
These windows provide top-to-bottom ventilation a la casement units. Although they only make practically half of the opening passable for the air, they can be efficient since they are usually broad.
Awning Windows
These units are like casement windows except that they are hinged at the top. They may be small in size, but they can move the needle of comfort the more they are. Also, awning windows are the only ones that can ventilate when it is raining because their single sash keeps the water from entering the house.
Hopper Windows
Usually used in basements, these windows are comparable to awnings, only they are hinged at the bottom. The beauty of using hopper units is that they increase the airflow while minimizing the entry of dust to keep interior areas clean.
Jalousie Windows
If there is a cross between crank and sash units, it is the jalousie window. Each unit consists of slats that produce gaps on opening. Jalousie windows are work like casement units because they can virtually use 100% of openings for ventilation and are similar to double-hung ones in a sense that they are narrow and do not interfere with outside areas.
Projecting Windows
Bay, bow, and garden windows are the most promising because they comprise multiple operating sashes that catch drafts from different directions.
Skylight Windows
Many skylight models ventilate. Since they are far from the ground, the air they bring in usually does not come with dust.
Not all of them might suit the style of your house and the functionality requirements of each of your finished spaces. Consult an expert to narrow down your window options for every room and attain your natural ventilation goals.
