Letting the Sunshine In
Here Comes the Sun…
Just hearing the first few lines of that song makes me drop my shoulders, relax, I’m sure I can feel my hands, and my spirits warming up.
In addition to saving dollars (which MAY boost your spirits) natural light actually DOES boost our mood! The superpowers of sunlight include physically warming our living space, disinfecting, healing skin disorders, and fighting off depression. For many people sun exposure plays a big part in sleep cycles and can even affect digestion.
When designing your new home you have the opportunity to position it to bring in sunlight during different times of the day and from different directions. As a general rule for energy efficiency, place many windows on your south and east sides but keep them limited on the north and west (solar passive design suggests less than 4% of surface area on these sides be window). This may not always be possible but keep it in mind when it is a possibility.
Skylights are wonderful option and allow for an uplifting view of the sky as well as diffuse natural light but if they are out of price range, you may choose to use a sun tunnel which is a bit less costly but offers a great solution for added light in a dark corner, or in a small bathroom with no exterior walls. The use of sun tunnels also reduces lighting costs and as a lower cost option they will repay themselves in a matter of years.
Just hearing the first few lines of that song makes me drop my shoulders, relax, I’m sure I can feel my hands, and my spirits warming up.
In addition to saving dollars (which MAY boost your spirits) natural light actually DOES boost our mood! The superpowers of sunlight include physically warming our living space, disinfecting, healing skin disorders, and fighting off depression. For many people sun exposure plays a big part in sleep cycles and can even affect digestion.
When designing your new home you have the opportunity to position it to bring in sunlight during different times of the day and from different directions. As a general rule for energy efficiency, place many windows on your south and east sides but keep them limited on the north and west (solar passive design suggests less than 4% of surface area on these sides be window). This may not always be possible but keep it in mind when it is a possibility.
Skylights are wonderful option and allow for an uplifting view of the sky as well as diffuse natural light but if they are out of price range, you may choose to use a sun tunnel which is a bit less costly but offers a great solution for added light in a dark corner, or in a small bathroom with no exterior walls.The use of sun tunnels also reduces lighting costs and as a lower cost option they will repay themselves in a matter of years.
When designing for natural light and use you need to next think about the size of your windows and where they are positioned. Windows in a Kent Homes are typically installed at 80” above the finished floor, meaning a 36”x48” window will have an edge that roughly 32” up – difficult to see out when you are seated. It is common to consider windows from the exterior of the home only without as much thought to how you intend to use the light. Curb appeal is important but creative landscaping can help balance the exterior and window placement needs to be considered from the interior. A window should frame an exterior view where possible and let light into the space. In some cases a particular size of window is required by code for egress but when size is not dictated by code, get creative.
Also, consider the shape of windows in your home. The traditional large ‘picture’ window has lost its place as a must-have in a home. Groupings of tall narrow windows are popular and add an elegant touch, positioning windows on either side of an exterior corner is one of my favourite looks. Narrow horizontal windows under upper cabinet’s let natural light onto work surfaces and small square windows high up in baths or halls can add light and interest in locations where a view may not be desirable. A bank of low windows may be just the ticket in a dining area to allow natural light and view to diners.
For seniors or people with health issues that may limit mobility, allowing for lots of natural light is very important. The warmth of sunlight is particularly soothing to the elderly and beneficial to people battling illness. If a person living in your new space is limited in mobility, be sure to choose long windows which come down closer to the floor and are easily accessed from a sitting position. Placing lots in rooms where people may have to spend much time in bed will make their environment naturally uplifting.
Home offices should be well lit to allow the sunlight to boost creativity and productivity. Most household pets love windows, for the view outdoors and the warmth. You can be sure the patch on the floor where the sun comes in will quickly become your pets’ favourite spot.
Long window panels in exterior doors will light up the foyer area, adding a welcoming feeling. The security of seeing who is at a door helps people feel comfortable and again, pets will love them. Of course if you love household greenery you will want windows in places where you want to display house plants.
Now of course there are situations where glorious sunlight may not be ideal. In cases where it’s streaming in onto the television or computer screen for instance, or fading your clothing and furnishings. In these situations, invest in window shade options that let filtered light through. If you take this a step further to choose window coverings with pattern you can dictate the mood of a room.
With all aspects of your home design journey we advise you to dream, design, then mentally walk through the space, imagine yourself moving through the rooms at all times of the day and carrying out your daily activities. Set it aside and come back to look at it again. Ask trusted friends and family members to do the same to get a different perspective. You want your new space to be as perfect as possible and our Kent Homes Dream Builders do too!