Do UV Rays Go Through Glass?
Although glass is a solid object, it does let light through. Do UV rays go through glass? Find the answer to this question here.
Whenever you hear UV rays and to protect yourself from them, most people think about their skin and using sunblock to prevent sunburns and skin cancer. However, UV radiation can also cause serious damage to your eyes, compromising your vision. Which can be both short-term and long-term.
With that in mind, it's important to think about how and when UV radiation can harm your eyes and when you need protection against it. Which is what we're going to cover today. We're also going to discuss the big question of "do UV rays go through glass?"
Let's get right into it and find out!
What Is UV Radiation?
Before we answer the question of whether or not UV rays go through glass, it's important to know what UV radiation actually is.
UV radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that comes from the sun and is divided into three different categories:
- UVA
- UVB
- UVC
UVA rays make up the vast majority of the UV radiation that reaches the earth and are responsible for tanning. They penetrate deep into the skin and can cause long-term damage, such as wrinkles and age spots.
UVB rays are the main cause of when people have sunburns and are also connected to people who experience skin cancer. Unlike UVA rays, they do not penetrate as deeply into the skin but can still cause damage.
Both UVA and UVB are also believed to suppress the immune system. You'll also most likely associate these with tanning beds.
UVC rays are the most harmful type of UV radiation but thankfully they are completely absorbed by the ozone layer when produced from the sun and do not reach the earth.
The Effect of UV Radiation
We're going to break down the effect and risks of radiation into two different categories. We're looking at the effects of UV radiation on home damage and the effects on your personal health.
Effects of UV Radiation on Your Home
You might not think about this, but UV radiation can actually do a lot of damage to your home. The rays can cause fading and deterioration to both the exterior and interior of your home.
On the exterior, things like siding, paint, awnings, and roofs can all be damaged by UV radiation. This is because the sun's rays break down the molecules in these materials, causing them to degrade over time.
The interior of your home can also be affected by UV rays. Carpets, drapes, and upholstery can all fade over time due to exposure to sunlight.
Effects of UV Radiation on Your Health
Now let's move on to the effects of UV radiation on your health. As we mentioned before, both UVA and UVB rays can cause skin cancer.
It's estimated that up to 90% of all skin cancers are caused by exposure to UV radiation from the sun. Around 3.6 million people are diagnosed with nonmelanoma skin cancer due to ultraviolet radiation.
UV rays can also damage your eyes and lead to conditions like cataracts, pinguecula, and photokeratitis. It's estimated that about 20% of all cataracts are caused by exposure to UV radiation.
Do UV Rays Go Through Glass?
So now that we know all about UV radiation and its effects, let's answer the question "do UV rays go through glass?"
The answer is yes! UV rays can cause harmful radiation effects through your home windows as well as your car windows.
Preventing UV Radiation
Most traditional glass windows do not stop ultraviolet light from entering, which means it's crucial to take steps to protect your home's interior from any potential damage.
Of course, you could install curtains or shades over the windows, but then you would also be blocking out all other types of light. This means you'll also be blocking natural sunlight.
A much better solution is to install UV window film on your windows. UV window film is a type of film that reflects UV rays away from the glass while still allowing visible light to enter the home.
Installing UV window film on your windows is a great way to reduce fading and damage caused by UV radiation without sacrificing the natural light in your home.
UV window film protects your belongings from harmful UV radiation by preventing 99% of all UV rays. It can help maintain the color of your fabrics, carpets, and hardwood floors. It can also help to protect any antiques you may have, woods, and art from discoloration or fading.
UV window film can also help prevent skin cancer, sunspots, and other dermatological problems associated with too much sun exposure. Dermatologists have praised UV window film as an effective safety measure against solar sensitivity.
Premium UV window film is even endorsed by the Skin Cancer Seal of Recommendation, an organization that only awards its seal to products proven to prevent skin cancer.
Benefits of Using UV Window Film
When you upgrade your home's windows with UV film, there are a ton of benefits. You'll have peace of mind knowing that:
- Your indoor furniture, art, fabrics, and more won't fade
- Protects you against skin cancer, sunspots, and more
- Reduces home energy spend
- Keeps the home cooler and the AC running less
- Eliminate glareS on your electronics
- Maintain the value of your home
- Get a tax credit with The Energy Policy Act
Fighting UV Radiation With LLUMAR Window Film
Now that we've answered the question of "do UV rays go through glass?", it's time to take action to protect your home and health. The best way to prevent this is by installing UV window film on your windows. Window film will reflect UV rays away from the glass while still allowing visible light to enter the home.
Not only does window film protect your belongings, but it also offers protection against skin cancer and other health problems associated with too much sun exposure.
If you're ready to protect your family and home, give EcoArc Home and Office Window Tinting a call today. Here at EcoArc Home & Office Window Tinting, we create and install the best UV protective window film!
