Know the Pros and Cons of Natural vs Artificial Lighting

Light is becoming a very important design element for homes. When remodeling or building a custom home, planning the placement of natural lighting such as windows, skylights and tubular skylights and is important for your overall comfort, health and productivity. Studies have shown 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 up beat 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 is 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 up 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 placement. 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