It is estimated over 50 million Americans struggle with seasonal allergies each year. While there are many over-the-counter options, it’s important to start with the windows and doors in your home to manage allergies effectively. Most allergy sufferers learn to stay indoors as much as possible, but pollen and mold are not the only offenders. Pet dander, dust mites, and mold can also cause problems indoors.
Window Nation, an expert in the window replacement field and one of HealthCare Access Maryland’s (HCAM) partners, has been a champion for our mission of making Maryland healthier. A recent sponsor for HCAM’s Speaker Series, we look forward to continuing to collaborate with Window Nation on future events and initiatives, thanks to our Board Member, Fred Cooper, Chief Financial Officer at Window Nation.
Suzanne Coblentz, Window Nation’s Director of Digital Marketing, shares important insight on ways to combat allergies and how having the correct windows plays a crucial role in living with allergies.
Keep windows and Doors Closed.
Simple yet effective, keeping windows closed if air conditioning prevents pollen from being blown inside. Have your family and guests remove shoes immediately when coming inside and invest in a high-quality mat at the door to wipe your feet.
But all these efforts will not help if you have window leaks, drafty doors, and windows. Check your windows and doors for cracks, gaps in the window and door seals. Not only are drafty windows not helping your allergies, but you are also wasting money on energy costs by losing all that cool air right out of our windows.
Your air conditioning with regular filters changes does more than keep you cool in warm weather; cooler air and lower humidity help control dust mites and mold.
Beware of Mold
Where there is water, there can be mold. Mold spores can cause intense allergy-like symptoms, including sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and can make you extremely ill.
Beyond the prominent places such as kitchens and bathrooms, beware of mold and mildew if you have leaky windows. If that leak gets into the walls, your wooden supports can start to rot. Leaks that are left untreated can even lead to foundation problems.
Even homeowners with newer construction should be on the lookout for window leaks. What material are your window frames? If they are aluminum, be on the lookout for potential leaks. Aluminum window frames do not typically come with good weather-stripping, which means they are very drafty and can lead to gaps between the frame and the house, leading to water damage and mold.
If you notice window drafts or gaps in your weather-stripping, you should seriously consider replacing builder-grade aluminum with vinyl windows. Vinyl windows are more energy-efficient, feature better warranties, they cannot be damaged by water. They can also be fully weather-stripped, providing additional weatherproofing and mitigating mold. And, if you need one final reason to consider vinyl replacement windows, there is no need to paint vinyl windows to protect them from rain, snow, or wind.
Do not spend another year suffering, and make sure your home is the safest place to spend the allergy season. If you would like to learn more about window replacement, visit www.windownation.com for information on window styles, installation, and more.
