uPVC glass-to-glass windows add class to any home with their sleekness. People enjoy uninterrupted views, and that in itself brings the outdoors inside. Beyond these aesthetic advantages, these windows provide critical protection to a home from harmful ultraviolet rays. UV rays are part of the sun's electromagnetic spectrum and can become very harmful not only to your skin but also to furniture, flooring, and not forgetting the atmosphere of the home. In this blog, we will discuss how uPVC glass-to-glass windows protect against UV and what options exist to further this type of protection.

Understanding UV Rays and Their Impact

UV rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation the sun emits. There are three kinds: UVA, UVB, and UVC. Of these, UVC rays are mostly absorbed by the atmosphere of the Earth, and the remaining, UVA and UVB, manage to reach the surface and can cause considerable damage. Prolonged exposures can cause the fading of furniture, discolor fabric, and even weaken some materials. Here is where uPVC glass-to-glass windows come in.

How uPVC Glass-to-Glass Windows Block UV Rays

Modern uPVC glass-to-glass windows are designed not only to give any person a nice view but also to block out UV light. Here is how they manage this:

1. Laminated Glass

This will have two or more layers of glass, with an interlayer normally of polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This helps block approximately 99% of UV rays from getting into your home. One of the primary benefits of the UV-blocking properties of laminated glass is that it prevents sun damage to your interior and provides added safety by holding the glass together in case of breakage.

2. Low-E Coatings

Low-emissivity coatings are applied on the glass to permit only the passage of visible light while reflecting UV and infrared light. These coatings consist of microscopically thin layers of metal or metallic oxide, which reflect the UV rays back out. Doing this helps your house remain comfortable due to no heat gain and saves your stuff from damage caused by UV light.

3. UV Blocking Films: If one wants to enhance UV protection but replace existing uPVC glass-to-glass windows, then UV-blocking films are just the perfect remedy. Such film is applied directly to the glass surface and could block up to 99% of dangerous UV rays. They provide an economical way to enhance the UV protection of your windows while still benefiting from the sun's light.

Improving UV Protection in uPVC glass-to-glass Windows

While a huge amount of UV protection is already offered with standard uPVC glass-to-glass windows, here are some ways to improve this protection:

1. Double or Triple Glazing: You could very well replace your windows with double- or triple-glazed ones, which would be a much more efficient way of improving insulation and protection from UV rays in your home. Basically, there are double-glazed windows that have two panes of glass separated by space, usually filled with air or inert gas. In the case of a triple-glazed window, three panes of glass would be used. Additional layers and insulating gas reduce UV transmission, thus keeping a home cool and energy-efficient.

2. Tinted Glass: Another alternative for protecting against UV would be tinted glass. During the process of tinting, there is a colored layer applied on the glass that acts as an absorptive barrier to part of the UV radiation. While tinted glass slightly reduces the entry of visible light into your home, it's an excellent way to screen out UV rays with a special added advantage of glare reduction.

Conclusion

uPVC glass-to-glass windows complement a home's aesthetic while being instrumental in safeguarding your abode from UV radiation. Knowing the alternatives available for protection from UV radiation, be it by laminated glass, Low-E coatings, or UV-blocking films, you can save your home from damage but still live in comfort and revel in the beauty brought in by natural light.

GreenFortune is a company whose founding ideology includes the delivery of classy, latest uPVC glass-to-glass windows that would strike both the aesthetic and protective feeling of a building. Contact us today and find out more about our range of UV-protective window solutions and how we can help enhance comfort and safety in your home.