How to Make the Most of Daylighting Using Your Windows

Daylighting is the practice of using natural light as primary indoor lighting during the day. In today’s post, local window replacement company California Energy Consultant Service discusses how the right combination of style, size and location can help you get the most out of daylighting using your windows.

What Are the Benefits of Daylighting?

Daylighting offers many practical and aesthetic benefits. The most immediate of these is the indoor illumination it provides, which helps reduce — or eliminate — the need for daytime electrical lighting. This may have a positive effect on your monthly utility bills. Naturally-lit indoor spaces look more open and spacious, and can accentuate colors in your home.

Various scientific studies have pointed out the health benefits of daylighting. People who spend significant amounts of time in naturally-lit environments are found to have regular sleep patterns. This promotes healthy sleep cycles that help improve alertness and memory retention.

How to Optimize Your Windows for Daylighting

There are ways that you can optimize your windows to get the most out of daylighting. Here are some tips:

Choose the right window orientation — Optimizing all the windows in your home for daylighting isn’t practical, as different parts of the house receive different levels of natural light. Generally, north-facing walls are ideal for daylight-optimized windows because they get softer and more even lighting. East-facing windows can capture a great sunrise, but lighting can get harsh afterwards. Likewise, west-facing windows can capture beautiful sunsets, but tend to drench the indoor spaces with orange light.

Measure the window height — The taller the window, the longer the daylighting “zone” or the reach of natural light. The rule of thumb is: the depth of the daylighting zone is 1.5 to 2 times the window head height. You can optimize an existing window by combining it with a fixed window at the top.

Install bottom-up window treatments — Most window treatments cover the top half of the window when partially closed. Optimize your windows for daylighting by installing window treatments that close from the bottom up, which leaves the top half open.

California Energy Consultant Service is your leading provider of residential window replacement services. Give us a call at (916) 852-8132. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Rancho Cordova and Sacramento, CA, as well as the surrounding communities.