Studies show that from 1994 to 2014, the United States has seen an increase of around 75 percent in nonmelanoma skin cancer. Most people don’t even know that UV exposure can be both direct and indirect. It really doesn’t matter where you are; you can be exposed to the sun's harmful rays no matter where you are.

What is UVA radiation?

UVA radiation is the most common UV ray that makes it to the earth’s surface. UVA radiation is able to penetrate deep into our skin and is able to pass through all types of glass. The rays damage your skin, which can end up resulting in a tan. It is what is commonly used in tanning beds to give you a tan. It causes a lot of different forms of skin aging, which include wrinkles.

What is UVB radiation?

UVB radiation is not as common as UVA, as it only makes up around 5% of the rays from the sun. Although it only makes up around 5%, it does have high energy. It is not able to penetrate deeply like UVA, but it can end up causing lots of damage to the top layer of your skin. UVb is able to damage skin cells, which can end up causing DNA mutations. This can lead to melanoma and other types of skin cancer.

Are windows able to block UV rays?

Normally, the glass that you see used in your home or maybe at your office isn't able to block all the UVA rays. In fact, one study found that the normal glass you find at home allowed up to 74% of all UVA radiation to pass right through it. In the same study, they tested if windows are able to block UVB rays. The answer ended up being yes. All windows tested were able to block out UVB rays. The takeaway from this is that yes, windows do help block UV rays, but only the kind you don't see as much of. They block the high-energy rays, but the UVA rays that make up 95% won’t be blocked. This is important because these are the rays that are mostly going to hit you.

This also goes for car windows. However, only the windshield glass in your car blocks UVA radiation. The rest of the windows in your car are not going to be able to protect against UVA rays.

How window tint can help Protect 

Window tint technology is a great investment. Window shades aren't able to provide any effective protection against UV rays. They can offer privacy and aesthetic elements, but if you are going for protection, tinting is going to be better. If you get quality window film, it won’t darken your windows too much. Some types of window films are even virtually invisible. To top it off, when you get window tinting, it helps protect more than just your skin. IT can help protect your interiors and furnishings. UV rays can be just as damaging to anything in your home or car as they would be to your skin. The rays can cause your furniture or wood to start to fade or even crack.

Another big plus is that it helps keep your energy bills low. Most window films can help increase a home's insulation by more than 90%. This will help keep your home warm and comfortable throughout the winter, and in the summer, the films will help keep the cool air trapped inside your home.

Now that you know that windows don’t block all the UV rays that can cause harm to you and your belongings, you can take the necessary steps to help make sure you protect not only yourself but also your car and home. The best and fastest way to do this is by investing in window film. Sun Control has got you covered, whether it’s residential or vehicle protection. We are here to protect you. Get in contact with us today to learn more about how we can help keep you and your belongings safe from the sun's harmful rays.

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