Bright Sunroom, Happy Customer

We recently installed three new VELUX Skylights with blinds in a sunroom that just wasn't meeting its potential. With some light from above, the space is now bright and airy, just as a sunroom should be.

Check out the transformation below:

 

"I am completely pleased with the skylights and installation. Joel and crew were the best contractors I have ever worked with: efficient, skilled, on-time, friendly, and detail-oriented. The VELUX hardware is simply magnificent. 

It was a pleasure doing business with you. I'll gladly recommend Naturalight Solar to anyone in the area interested in skylights.

Thank you again."

-Ross A. 

There's Light at the End of the Sun Tunnel

Written by Katie Cirovic, for VELUX UK Blog, September 6, 2017

The Rayner family used sun tunnels to increase natural light in the hallway of their four bedroom detached home in Northampton.

Freddie Rayner, 69, said his first floor hallway had always been starved of natural light as the space didn’t have any windows and he wasn’t sure what options were open to him. 

He said: “We even considered removing all the walls at the top of the stairs and replacing them with glass door and windows – but it was going to be hugely expensive.”

It was only while holidaying in Spain that he stumbled upon the perfect solution. While staying in a villa on Spain’s south-eastern Costa Blanca, Freddie was intrigued by a light feature in one of the rooms that he would later discover to be a sun tunnel. 

As soon as the plane touched down in the UK, Freddie was on the phone to a VELUX expert to discuss the benefits of having a sun tunnel installed in the hallway above the staircase.

He was told sun tunnels bring natural light in to even the darkest spaces through a specially designed, highly-reflective tunnel that passes from roof to ceiling meaning that you won’t necessarily always have to turn the
lights on.

They work best over small straight runs and the amount of light they direct into a hallway is quite remarkable.

In just 4 weeks, VELUX-recommended installers had positioned two sun tunnels directly above the staircase on the first floor of the Rayner’s family home and the space was forever transformed.

Freddie said: “The transformation is truly amazing. We’ve gone from relying on the reflective power of several strategically placed mirrors which we hoped would maximise the light given off by chandeliers we had to keep switched on throughout the day - to never turning on an electric light during the day again!

“The process of getting the sun tunnels installed was also seamless. From the initial conversation with the VELUX expert to liaising with the installers and then the sun tunnels actually going in – it was a painless process and total value for money. The installers, recommended to us by VELUX did such a clean job – all that was left for us to do was admire the result! 

“Our only regret is not looking into the sun tunnel option sooner. There is absolutely no reason to put up with darkness when VELUX exist in this world!”

Grant Sneddon, product manager at VELUX, added: “The Rayner’s project is a great example of a ‘don’t move, improve’ scenario. You can clearly see the difference in brightness when you look at their hallway before VELUX sun tunnels were installed and after.

“Having to withstand an undesirable, dark living environment can really get a person down and this is a fantastic case for how the limitations of a property can be overcome with one simple, effective modification. A VELUX sun tunnel can be installed anywhere there is 6m or less between your roof and ceiling such as hallways, like the Rayners, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, home offices – the only limit is your imagination!”

Case Study: Soaring Skylights

This month, Naturalight Solar completed a project on a home in Napa that is under-going a complete remodel. We worked alongside the projects general contractor, Briant Frye of Frye Built Construction.

In this two-story home, we replaced one old plastic bubble skylight with a new VELUX glass 2x4 fixed skylight as well as installing a brand new skylight array in a curb adaptor over the great room where they will bring in lots of wonderful sunlight.

The nature of the project required a crane to lift the huge 8x8 foot curb adaptor into place where Frye had already made the cut-out in the roof. The crane was also used to bring up the four skylights that fit in the curb adaptor and the one replacement skylight.

    

The homeowner chose two VELUX fixed 4x4 curb mount skylights and two VELUX solar operable Fresh Air 4x4 skylights to go into the curb adaptor, creating a perfect system for natural light and ventilation. With the solar operable skylights at the highest point of the home, they will create a chimney effect when open to draw out stale, warm air and replace it with fresh air.

  

The homeowner decided on the black metal curb adaptor to match the unusual black metal roof that will be installed later. With the stunning backdrop of the Napa hills, we can’t wait to see photos of the finished home in a few months!

 

  

360 Video: Ocean Sunroom

It may be raining here right now, but the sun will be back. In the meantime, take a look around  this light-filled sunroom inspired by the ocean. 


360 Video: Step Inside a Beautiful, Blue Sunroom from VELUX USA on Vimeo.

360 Video: Four-Season Porch with VELUX Skylights

Need some Monday inspiration? Explore this screened in porch to experience 

how skylights bring in natural light and provide a sky view. 

Small Kitchen Conundrums

The kitchen is a central, active room in the home. It is important for it to have good lighting, air flow, and plentiful storage for food, dishes, and small appliances, not to mention space for food prep, cooking, and eating. An open and flowing design is also appreciated for entertaining.

This is a lot to ask of a kitchen, especially a small kitchen. 

In the design or re-model of a kitchen, compromises are often made and typically natural light is nixed in the favor of extra storage. Unfortunately, the lack of windows also contributes to a lack of fresh air and natural ventilation, creating sticky, hot kitchens in the summer. 

One solution in this design conundrum is often overlooked: Skylights. With skylights, you get the natural light and fresh air you need in the kitchen, leaving room along the walls for additional storage. 

The next time you have a kitchen design conundrum, consider skylights and discover a kitchen without compromises. 

If you're ready for a kitchen without compromises, call our office today at 707-527-5330,

 or request an estimate here. 

Part Three: Four Reasons You Need More Natural Light

Last week, in part two, we talked about needing more natural light during the day in order to have a Better Sleep Cycle. If you missed last week's post, you can read it here.

This week we will look at how having more natural light in your life may Lessen Eyestrain and Headaches.

Do you work all day in a space that has little to no sun exposure, instead relying on artificial lighting? Do your eyes blur when you glance from your monitor to another object? Fluorescent lighting and glare caused by contrasting amounts of light and reflections in the environment can cause strain on your eyes that might even cause headaches or migraines.

Adding natural lighting to your home or office may help stop you from squinting at a computer screen or television. The natural lighting is better for your eyes and evenly distributed ambient light can help reduce glare. VELUX SUN TUNNEL Skylights are an excellent option for office spaces, as the built-in ceiling diffuser helps distribute the natural light evenly through the space, perfect for eliminating glare.

If you don't have a way to add more natural light in your work environment, try taking regular breaks from the computer, letting your eyes adjust focus by looking at objects both closer and further away and stepping out into the sunlight for a few minutes several times throughout the day.

Check back next week for the final post in this series.

Part Two: Four Reasons You Need More Natural Light

In last week's post we talked about using natural light to be more energy efficient. If you missed it, you can read it here.

This week we are looking at reason two for needing more natural light: Better Sleep Cycle.

Have you ever experienced trouble falling asleep at night? Or staying awake at school or work during the post-lunch hours? Though it may seem counter-intuitive at first, these feelings of sleeplessness and sleepiness can be caused by the same thing: the type of lighting you are exposed to during the day. For a lot of us, this lighting is electric rather than natural sunlight, and with time, it can have a huge effect on our bodies.

All light, whether it is electric or natural, has what is called a Kelvin color temperature. Most standard electrical lighting is at 3,500 Kelvin, and remains at this level continuously. However, sunlight can reach levels up to 10,000 Kelvin, and changes throughout the day. These changes that occur in natural light throughout the day and night (moonlight has color temperature, too) are what assist our body's in regulating our circadian rhythms so that we have energy during the day and feel relaxed and ready for sleep in the evening.

Spending so much time inside, under unnatural lighting, upsets these natural rhythms, resulting in both sleeplessness and sleepiness. If you feel like your circadian rhythms are out of sync, consider how much time you spend under unnatural lighting and in front of computer and tv screens during the day. Your body might need help getting back in sync by being exposed to more natural light during the morning and afternoon. Try taking your lunch break outside in the sunshine, adding a skylight to your home or office, or turning off the tv earlier in the evening and going for a walk outside.

Check back next week for more benefits of natural light in Part Three.

Part One: Four Reasons You Need More Natural Light

You may have noticed times when you come inside from a particularly bright day and 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, though usually less dramatically. But why make our eyes work harder when we have the option to add more natural light to our lives?

Do you work under artificial lights during the day? Having electric lights on during the day uses up an amazing amount of electricity, and it's also not very good for your health. Adding more natural lighting could make all the difference in your health and mood. There are more risks than you may think by using fluorescent light in your under-lit home.  Fluorescent lighting creates emission of treacherous chemicals like sulfur dioxide, carbon, and mercury into the environment.

We have four reasons for you to consider letting that sunlight into your home. In this first post we will talk about Energy Efficiency & Environmental Impact.

By increasing your home's exposure to the sun with new-age, thermal, energy efficient windows and doors, you will reduce the use of your electric lighting. This reduction of electric lighting and increase in natural lighting has a three-fold effect. Using less electricity, and especially fluorescent lighting, will reduce chemical emissions and your carbon footprint. It will also lower your electric bill, saving you money. And, having fewer chemicals in your environment and exposure to more natural light is better for your health. You could also use venting skylights to not only bring in more sunlight, but also fresh air into your home.

The boons of natural light don't end here, check back next week for Part Two!

Replace Old Skylights Before they Fly Away

      Mother nature sometimes lets us know when we've been neglecting a project by making it impossible to put the project off any longer. This happened to a homeowner recently when their old acrylic dome skylight was blown right off the roof during a storm.

      The old, inefficient plastic skylight was due for replacing anyway. Before another storm could hit, we installed a new, energy efficient, flat glass VELUX Fixed Curb Mount 2x4 skylight. Well secured and durable enough to make it safely through the toughest storms, this homeowner is ready to weather many more winters.

   
      We recommend replacing your old skylight before mother nature begins the work for you. If you're not sure how much life your skylight has left, whether it's in danger of leaking, cracking, or being blown away, you can schedule a performance check-up with Naturalight Solar by calling our office at 707-527-5330 or sending an email to info@naturalight.org.

Celebrate Earth Day in Sonoma County

      We believe in celebrating the earth every day, but Earth Day is a great way to grow awareness and nurture our gratitude for all the earth gives us.
     
      Check out this article from SonomaCounty.com for some Earth Day activities this weekend. From the Quarryhill Botanical Gardens to the Flavors of Spring at Korbel Champagne Cellars to an evening walk and campfire at Spring Lake Regional Park, there's something to inspire everyone.

     
      If you want to make a lasting difference for Earth Day, while brightening your home, consider installing a VELUX SUN TUNNEL in that dark hallway, bathroom, closet, bedroom, or office. The VELUX SUN TUNNEL brings in the sunshine, eliminating the need for daytime electric lighting, thus reducing your electricity usage and your carbon footprint.

Read more about skylight energy savings here.

Submit your free estimate request here.

Sweet Treats for Spring

      Whether you're celebrating the Easter holiday or the arrival of spring, everyone loves a sweet treat. Wondering what delicious dessert to present to your family and friends in the radiant light of your skylight?

Here are our top five picks:

1. Carrot Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting by Happy Healthy Mama

2. Strawberry Sweet Rolls by A spicy Perspective

3. Chocolate Zucchini Brownies (Whole Grain, Dairy Free) by Taxanerin Baking

4. Strawberry Dessert Salad (with Toffee) by Double the Batch

5. Caramel Pecan Cheesecake Bars (Gluten Free, Flourless, Sugar Free, Dairy Free) by The Movement Menu

And Spring arose on the garden fair, 

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;

And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast

rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

~Percy Bysshe Shelley

Happy Spring!

VELUX SUN TUNNEL Skylights are for All Roof Types

In just one day, we installed one 10" and two 14" VELUX SUN TUNNEL skylights to dramatically brighten the kitchen and bathrooms of this Sonoma County home. Standing in close proximity to surrounding two story homes which shade the windows, the Sun Tunnels bring in additional natural light from the sunny rooftop without compromising privacy. 

The rooftop photos show the clean look of the Sun Tunnels on a flat tile roof. Sun Tunnels can be installed on all roof types, though some require additional labor and special flashings. However, in most cases, the tubular skylights remain the most efficient, effective, and affordable option for bringing natural light into your home. 

Too Hot & Too Dark...VELUX Solar "Fresh Air" Skylight to the Rescue

Is your home hot, stuffy, and dark?
See what a Velux solar "fresh air" skylight can do for you.

Summer days in the living room of this Santa Rosa home were unbearably hot and stuffy. With no way for the heat to escape, it rose to the ceiling and stayed there, overheating the whole room. Also, because of the wood interior, the room was quite dark. The owners decided to install a VELUX solar operable four by two foot "fresh air" skylight to get rid of the heat and brighten things up.

The skylight installation was completed in two days, with a total budget of $4,900. The VELUX solar operable "fresh air" skylight gives them the opportunity for a 30% federal tax credit of $1,470, reducing the net cost of the skylight addition to $3,430.

What was once an over-heated, dimly lit room now has lots of natural light and much better ventilation. 

We love our skylight. It has added much more than just light to our home. We can see the oak tree and feel a bit more of the outside beauty of our home. We LOVE how much hot air it lets out of a previously uncomfortably warm room. The rain sensor works every time, and we don't have to remember to close the skylight if rain is imminent. Thank you for the beautiful workmanship and attention to detail.                                                                                         ~Emily &Bryan

Learn More Here

More Coffee or More Sunlight?

      Have you ever experienced trouble falling asleep at night? Or staying awake at school or work during the post-lunch hours? These feelings of sleeplessness and sleepiness are often caused by the type of lighting we are exposed to throughout the day. For a lot of us, this lighting is electric rather than natural sunlight, and with time, it can have a huge affect on our bodies.

      All light, whether it is electric or natural, has what is called a Kelvin color temperature. Most standard electrical lighting is at 3,500 Kelvin, and remains at this level throughout the day. However, sunlight can reach levels up to 10,000 Kelvin, and changes throughout the day.

Certain levels, usually 4,500 to 6,500 Kelvin, allow our bodies to feel more awake and energized. In the evening, the natural color temperature decreases, allowing our bodies to slow down and progress naturally towards sleep. In other words, the changing color temperature throughout the day and night (the moonlight has color temperature, too) assists in regulating our body’s circadian rhythms.

      Spending so much time inside, under unnatural lighting, upsets these natural rhythms. Studies have shown that computer, television, and cell phone screens all give off light that has higher levels of blue light (a higher color temperature), a quality that tells our brains and bodies that it is time to be awake and active—which contradicts going to sleep right after using them.

      In some hospitals and care facilities they are using lighting in the evenings that has more red light (a lower color temperature) because it creates the opposite effect of blue light. It is calming, relaxing, and good for sleeping.

 By creating ways for abundant natural light to enter a living or work space, we can create indoor spaces that will balance your circadian rhythms and create a healthy, comfortable environment that will give you energy and help you sleep!
   

Skylights are the perfect way to let abundant natural light into your home that will make you feel good!

Call us today for a free estimate! (707) 527-5330.

***

 If you are interested in reading more about Kelvin light temperature, check out the source for this article here: “Human Centric Lighting” by Stan Walerczyk: http://humancentriclighting.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Stan-Article-SSL1.pdf 

and the Human Centric Lighting Website: http://humancentriclighting.com

Are you baking under the skylights in your home?

Is your air conditioning system laboring hard trying to keep your place bearable? There is a fast, easy, and affordable way to stop that excess summer skylight heat.

VELUX skylight blinds will help you control the light and heat from your skylights. The Opaque Roller Blinds let you enjoy natural light without the glare and the Blackout blinds give you total blackout plus optimal heat protection. The stylish Venetian Blinds allow you to control the light with style and comfort. Even if your skylight is a different brand, VELUX skylight blinds will fit into most standard sized skylights. Blinds come in manual, electric and solar powered styles.

VELUX Solar Blinds with remote control– available in roller blind and blackout blind – qualify for the 30% federal tax credit of the cost of the materials and installation. No need for any electrical hookup. These blinds have a built-in battery and photovoltaic panel to provide all of the power to operate them.

Already own a VELUX Skylight without blinds? Add VELUX blinds and make your skylights even more energy efficient. Control the light, stop excess summer heat, and also reduce winter and night time heat loss.

Save yourself from the heat this summer. Imagine yourself in total control of your light and comfort. Call today and get information and an estimate for your VELUX blinds.

See You at the Napa Home and Garden Show

Come to the Napa Valley Expo Fairgrounds this weekend, May 14th-16th, to kick off your home improvements at the Napa Home and Garden Show. Naturalight will be there with the next generation of VELUX® Skylights and SUN TUNNELS. Revitalize your home and you with free, nourishing daylight.

You can find all your skylight needs at D'House of D'Light, our large yellow display trailer in the outside exhibit area. Choose from the full line of VELUX® products for light, ventilation and a view--whether from roof windows, operable, or fixed skylights. And don't forget tubular skylights for those confined, hard-to-access spaces like closets and hallways, where you just need daylight.

Control the light that enters your room using only the power of the sun. There's a 30% federal tax credit available on solar blinds. Take advantage of their innovative design operated by remote control. Available in both blackout and roller blind versions.

Hot water never felt so good... with a VELUX® solar water heating system. Save an average of 50 to 80% on your water heating bills using free and unlimited sunlight. Reduce your carbon footprint and take advantage of State incentives and Federal tax credits.

We've rolled back prices to roll with the times, so daylighting is more budget-friendly than ever. Plus, 12 month financing options are available. You'll love the savings on your energy bill once you're more energy-efficient and earth-friendly, too.

Hours: Friday 12-7, Saturday 10-7, Sunday 10-6

Admission Fees: $7 Adults, Kids 12 and under Free, Senior's Day on Friday: 62 and better $4

Napa Valley Expo Fairgrounds at Silverado Trail and 3rd Street