Adding more natural light to a space has been an interesting game of tug of war in recent years. Although natural light makes a room feel larger and offers benefits to those working or living in the building, it can also mean more windows that (if poorly made) can affect the heating and cooling costs.
These are the top ways to incorporate more light into your space and why natural light is vital to modern people.
Why We All Need More Natural Light
Natural light is as important to our health as clean air and healthy food. Sunlight provides us with vitamin D, which improves mood and increases the production of serotonin. Above this, sunlight also helps guide how our circadian rhythm is set, which can aid us in creating healthy sleep patterns. These are vital if we want to have good mental and physical health and can drastically change how we interact with the rest of the world.
The effects of natural light can be faked through products like LED lamps, but even the experience of seeing greenery outdoors can improve our serotonin production, which boosts our moods and reduces anxiety. The real thing is always better than a replica. If windows seem like a risk for weather or noise, you can install acoustical glass to protect the interior of the building from this.
Modular Glass Office Walls
Some offices want to get the most window per square foot they can: and that’s where modular glass office walls come in. These walls of windows are beautiful, sturdy sheets of glass that encourage as much sunlight to filter in as possible. These walls are often fantastic for getting views of the city outside and can increase morale within employees. These types of walls also give offices a more modern look that’s hard to replicate otherwise.
Although these can be some work to keep clean, they’re worth it for all of the natural sunlight and wonderful views they bring into the office.
Hurricane and Storm Resistant Windows
A strong window can protect your property and should be a must. Unfortunately, weather patterns are becoming more unpredictable in recent years, with areas like Texas that are usually warm year-round getting ice storms and cooler regions like the Pacific Northwest going through a scorching summer unlike any other.
Invest in windows that will protect your home, and make sure they’re well maintained. Not only do hurricane-resistant windows last longer and will offer more light into your building: they’ll also block out more weather and temperature fluctuations that come with poorly designed windows.
Fantastic Ceiling Skylights
Skylights have been in style for the last twenty years, and they’re becoming even more popular within the last couple of years. These windows allow light down from the roof into the home. Usually angled to minimize any temperature effects, this type of window can allow a room with no exterior walls to feel naturally lit and connected to the outside world. These can be expensive to install and don’t work on any rooms underneath another floor, but it’s an excellent option for top floors or one-level buildings!
Diffused Light To Avoid Glare
Having clear windows that allow a crisp view of the outside world can be fantastic, but it’s important to remember that this comes with a cost. Light coming directly into a building, especially an office, can add to eye strain and distraction. This is an especially large problem if these windows are east or west-facing, which will make the rooms these windows are in fluctuate wildly in temperature and brightness throughout the day.
Using a product like Serraglaze can minimize glare while allowing the natural light to still get deep into the room and brighten the space. This decreases the risk of headaches or discomfort and ensures that those using the area still enjoy the benefits of natural light.
Beyond What You Can Do With Glass
We can’t always add more windows to a building. If that’s not an option for you, there are other ways that you can make a space feel better lit and reflect natural light in pleasing ways. One of the most popular ways is to paint the room with a light or slightly luster-based paint that will partially reflect the light and help it fill whatever room needs it.
This can also be done with lighter furniture and other items that bring out the brightness of the sunlight. Another good idea is to ensure the air is well filtered and clean so that particles don’t interrupt how well the windows work.
Adding More Natural Light To Your Space Is Vital
Whether you’re updating your home or renovating a large office building: adding more light to this space is important for the good and aesthetic pleasure of those within the building. From the increase in serotonin we can get from seeing the outside world to aiding our circadian rhythms and sleep patterns, these are necessary updates for any property.
Todd Gillman is the content director for the blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.
