The Majority of Homes Need More Natural Light!

       You may have noticed times when you come inside from a particularly bright day and you stumble around the house for a few minutes as your eyes adjust to the much dimmer light inside your home. Our eyes are making these types of adjustments all the time, but usually less dramatically. But why make our eyes work harder, sometimes resulting in eye strain or headaches, when we have the option to add more light to our lives?

      

       What are the most important factors to improving indoor lighting? An article from CNIB says that one is increasing the quantity of light, and the other is reducing glare caused by contrasting amounts of light and reflections in the environment. Dr. Graham Strong is quoted in the article explaining, “Studies show that most households are significantly under illuminated.” These studies have also shown that people need more light in their homes as they get older—“about 10 percent more each decade.” This article suggests that you keep adding light to your home until it feels comfortable to your eyes for various activities. More concentrated activities require more light, such as reading, sewing, shaving, and applying make-up.

       

       What are the options for adding light to your home? Of course, additional electrical lighting can be beneficial. But what about skylights! Skylights offer an abundance of natural light. And they won’t add any monthly costs to your electrical bill. In addition, Velux tube skylights have diffusers that spread the light evenly around the room without creating glare. But what if you want natural lighting in your bathroom during the day and electrical lighting for night time? Velux tube skylights can be equipped with light kits that allow you to have natural day lighting, and, with the flip of a switch, plentiful lighting at night!

      

       According to Dr. Strong, some areas that need more lighting in the majority of homes are bathrooms, stairways and hallways, closets, and laundry rooms. Of course, kitchens, bedrooms, and living rooms are also important to have well lit. With better lighting, it will be easier to distinguish colors, read, measure, work on projects, and overall enjoy the time spent in your home.

       For the full article, check out this link: http://www.cnib.ca/en/your-eyes/eye-care/lighting-0607/Pages/default.aspx