Know the pros, cons of natural vs. artificial lighting
Light is becoming an important design element for homes. When remodeling or building a custom home, placement of natural lighting such as windows, skylights and tubular skylights is important for your overall comfort, health and productivity.
Natural lighting creates a more calm and less stressful indoor environment. While artificial lighting has greatly improved, it can feel gloomy due to insufficient brightness on wall and ceilings. Natural light from skylights or windows creates a pleasant and upbeat environment. Also natural light increases the resale value of a home.
While skylights may be seen as a luxury item, they are actually a green home improvement and an important tool in attaining sustainability.
The production of electricity is a large contributor of pollution. An added bonus to using natural lighting is the decrease of the amount of electricity used and reduction in electric bills. Both natural and artificial lighting are great interior and exterior design tools.
Skylights in your home make a space feel more open, flowing and inviting. Artificial lighting such as LED and solar lighting increase safety and security indoors and out. In addition, artificial lighting is useful for indoor gardening.
If your home is older and you are planning a remodel and want to bring in natural light, there are solutions that can be added to any type of existing roof.
Installing skylights or sun tunnels is easier when you are designing a new home or an addition; your designer can plan your rooms for maximum daylighting with skylights, sun tunnels and window placements.
And if you have a interior or hallway that does not allow for skylights or windows, then sun tunnels or tubular skylights can provide natural lighting by collecting light and reflecting it through metal tube and guiding it into dark interior spaces.
When considering daylighting options such a skylights, keep in mind there are many accessories such as blinds to reduce glare, control the amount of light and reduce the amount of heat that is let in.
This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. To reach the author, email dan@innovativeskylights.com. For information on this article, contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsulting.net. To join the council or to find a remodeler, visit www.ghba.org.