Why You Probably Need More Natural Light in Your Home

Whether you want to admit it or not your home could likely use some brightening up. There’s no better way than by taking advantage of the most significant light source on the planet, the sun!

Being in direct sunlight undoubtedly has a positive effect on people. So, it’s important for you to maximise the amount of natural light your home gets. Maximising your exposure to natural light is critical due to the fact that the majority of us spend most of our time indoors!

There are many physical and psychological benefits to exposing yourself to appropriate amounts of natural light.  If your home is designed or improved to increase the amount of natural sunlight that beams into your home you will most definitely see the benefits.

Sustainability

Anytime you harness the power of the sun you are using a renewable energy source. What’s more, by using a natural light source you’re not using electricity. This is a huge benefit for the planet as industries and corporations won’t be burning as many fossil fuels to supply electricity to your home.

Additionally, with modern, energy-efficient windows, the exposure to the sun will help to warm the inside of your home; making it much more comfortable. This means that you won’t be needing to adjust that thermostat anywhere near as frequently. This is a huge benefit for the environment as well as your pocket in our current climate…

Health Reasons

An increase in vitamin B and D is shown with more exposure to sunlight. B vitamins play a vital role in maintaining good health and well-being. As the building blocks of a healthy body, B vitamins have a direct impact on your energy levels, brain function, and cell metabolism. D vitamins help regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are also needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

Exposure to sunlight and darkness releases hormones in your brain which can affect your mood. High exposure to sunlight causes a release of serotonin, which is associated with boosting mood and helping a person focus. Melatonin is released in darker environments which is responsible for reducing heart rate and assisting with sleep. This suggests that when you have a decrease in sun exposure you have a decrease in serotonin levels.

Increases the Property Value

We spend the vast majority of our time indoors, which makes it harder to gain the benefits of natural light. People understand this and therefore are willing to pay a premium for such a great feature on a property. For many buyers, ensuring there’s a high amount of natural light is at the top of their must-have features for a home. Natural sunny rooms will always look far more appealing when you are a potential buyer.

How to Maximise Natural Light in the Home

Now, we can all agree that there are far too many benefits to not look at adding some additional natural light to your home. But how can you make your home a brighter place to be?

Home Renovations

The most effective way to increase the amount of natural light in your home is by upgrading your windows. We can give you options of windows that have thinner and more refined frames to maximise the light which will obviously brighten up any room. However, they will also help keep your house properly insulated, which is obviously a win/win. If you’re looking at updating your windows then why not your doors too? Replacing solid doors with a windowed door can bring a tremendous amount of light into the front of your property.

Additionally, knocking down the odd wall in the name of natural light is well worth the hassle and investment that comes along with it. Opening up your living space will allow for larger windows and an unobstructed path for light to pass through.

To go all out on the natural light front, taking the time to look into installing a conservatory could be a great idea. A conservatory will act as your sanctuary, a perfect, well-lit area where you can go to relax and unwind. If you’re looking for a new conservatory, get in touch with us at SCI windows. We have installed many conservatories, orangeries and garden rooms on homes all over Surrey and South London. We are able to give you a no-obligation quote for installing any of these options. Our team will work with you to create a fantastic new space in your home.

Things You Can do Now!

Unfortunately, the likelihood is that you haven’t put enough thought into any kind of home renovations to start planning for this yet. However, there’s a list as long as your arm of small changes you can make now to see an effect:

• Fully pull back your curtains during the day, this is an extremely simple fix that people often ignore. Additionally, instead of opting for curtains, blinds or shutters are often more effective at letting soft light through.
• Strategically place mirrors to bounce light around a room. Some homes have full walls of mirrors with the sole purpose to reflect light around a room. If your current property has a mirror wall you’re looking to replace with something else, then perhaps think about the amount of natural light you could lose.
• Avoid placing furniture near windows. Light cannot pass through solid pieces of furniture, so if you’re trying to maximise light in a room there should be as little as possible blocking the path of the light.
• Clean on and around your windows. If your windows are dirty or have moss growing on them then less light is going to be able to pass through. Busy London roads will often mean you have to clean your windows more often!
• Give your existing window trims and interior walls a fresh coat of bright, light-coloured paint. White always works brilliantly around the trims of windows, effectively illuminating a room.
• Trim back any plants or hedges that could potentially be blocking light from entering your home. The light source is outside of our home. If the light cannot reach your house in the first place, due to plants in your garden, then none of these above changes will be effective. If you have beautiful ivy growing on your house consider giving it a trim around the windows and doors; this also goes for bushes and hedges around your property.

Get in Touch

If you’re looking for a window upgrade, door or conservatory installation to increase the natural light in your home, then get in touch with SCI Windows. Give us a call on 020 8648 0426 or email sales@sciwindows.co.uk and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Simply ask for one of our experienced consultants for a no-obligation home visit. There is no better way to find the right products for you and your home, than from Surrey’s friendliest window and door company.