While many of the home components you install are meant to keep the sun and other elements out, such as the roof and siding, you also need a way to allow natural light inside. Daylighting is an important component you cannot ignore when you’re building a home or replacing some of its parts.
Not only does natural light allow you to see better indoors, but it also plays a significant role in keeping you healthy and boosting your mood. With the right daylighting techniques, you can make your home warmer even with reduced use of your HVAC. This means lower energy use even in winter.
You can count on your roof and siding to help reduce solar heat gain, but what about your windows? How do you use them for daylighting and a healthy level of warmth? Here are some suggestions.
Get Better Windows
You don’t need to expose your indoors to direct sunlight to get daylight. Install windows with Low-E, dual-pane glass with an inert gas fill between panes. You can also have a professional install window tint that allows a reasonable amount of daylight inside.
A good type of window glass can also prevent glare and solar heat gain. You can enjoy plenty of daylight without the added risk of ultraviolet (UV) and infrared exposure.
Partition Your Windows
This works well with double-hung windows and similar products. You can buy a daylight distribution device to do this. The upper part of your window is retrofitted with an element that redirects daylight while the lower part has a blind system that can either be automated or manually operated. You can use the lower part for looking outside while the upper part continues to block too much light.
Rearrange Interiors
You can use your interior layout to make way for only the light you need. This may involve a simple renovation. Your upgrade should allow light coming through your windows to reach as much of the space as possible without causing too much heat gain.
Twin Cities Siding and Roofing can help with your daylighting needs. We are window and siding contractors. We use only high-quality products, such as Marvin® windows. Call us today at 651-571-9557, or fill out this form to tell us about your project.
