The Advantages of Aluminum Frames in High-Humidity Areas
Relative atmospheric humidity is an environmental factor that can negatively affect our health as well as the functionality of our home.
In areas with high humidity levels, people with sensitivities or respiratory and musculoskeletal conditions often experience more intense symptoms. At the same time, moisture penetration inside the home can cause damage that often leads to time-consuming repairs or costly replacements.
That’s why, when living in places where humidity reaches high levels, it is important to choose the most suitable solutions and materials for building or renovating our home. Only then can we enjoy a pleasant and healthy living environment, and ensure our home withstands the test of time and the effects of humidity.
How Rising Humidity Affects Us
Relative atmospheric humidity, as we know from weather reports, is the amount of water vapor in the air. The closer this percentage gets to 100%, the more humid the atmosphere around us becomes—and potentially more uncomfortable!
It has been found, for example, that high humidity makes breathing more difficult. At the same time, combined with large temperature differences inside and outside the home during summer and winter, it encourages mold growth, which is extremely harmful to our health.
The first line of defense against humidity is insulation. However, even in a well-insulated home, condensation can appear on glass surfaces like windows and balcony doors. This happens because the moisture inside the home is more than the air can absorb, causing water to form in liquid form.
Fortunately, the relentless attack of humidity is effectively countered with the right materials. At EPAL, we seal our insulated glass panes through a special process to completely prevent condensation, keeping indoor humidity levels within normal ranges.
Aluminum Frames: A Shield Against Humidity
If we had the choice, we would all live in areas where relative humidity stays steadily between 45% and 55%. In reality, many people live in places where humidity reaches and exceeds 70% for long periods.
In such cases, we must protect both our health and our homes from damage and risks. Admittedly, wall insulation alone is not enough to prevent moisture inside the home. Frames—usually the main weak points for heat loss and air drafts—can become the gateway that allows humidity to cause damage.
At EPAL, we design, manufacture, and test our aluminum frames under extreme conditions, placing great emphasis on their insulating properties.
All our products are equipped with EPDM perimeter gaskets, which offer exceptional durability and provide unmatched waterproofing that does not deteriorate over time.
Durability Against Humidity, Inside and Out
A natural concern for those living in high-humidity areas most of the year is potential damage to the exterior of their homes.
For example, wooden frames become increasingly vulnerable to humidity over time. Similarly, low-quality metal frames can suffer significant damage relatively quickly, losing part of their insulating properties. In these cases, the home becomes increasingly exposed to moisture, and frame replacement becomes inevitable.
That’s why we must choose frames made from durable materials, with protective processes against all degrading factors. At EPAL, our aluminum frames are coated with ultra-durable electrostatic paint that effectively prevents oxidation under any conditions.
The higher the average relative humidity in our area, the more careful (and proactive) we need to be in protecting our homes—and, consequently, our health. With the right frames, we effectively shield one of the most vulnerable parts of the home and prevent humidity from negatively affecting our daily lives and wellbeing.
