It is odd how technology is changing the way we think and act and in terms of skylights, this is truly the case. There was a time when a skylight was merely a glass window on the roof that let daylight in. Today’s skylights do so much more and can actually improve living conditions beyond what you might expect. Here are a few examples of just how useful they can be.
The Health Benefits of Natural Sunlight
For as long as anyone can remember, the health benefits of natural sunlight have been known. Whilst too much exposure to those UV rays can cause a number of issues such as skin cancer and premature wrinkling, some amount of sunshine is needed. Vitamin D, for example, is the result of exposure to sunlight and it is a vital nutrient for many biological processes. Also, studies have been done that indicate that insufficient daylight can lead to severe bouts of depression.
Reduction in CO2 Emissions
One of the areas of focus for any builder today is that the government mandates that certain roofs and roofing structures need to be a source of natural light. Although we would like to think the government is cognisant of the immediate health benefits, the real purpose for saying that around 20% of a building’s light during daylight hours should come from the sun is for ecological purposes.
The less artificial light you need to generate, the lower your consumption of electricity will be. It does make perfect sense and many skylights manufacturers are detailing it on their websites. Whitesales windows can provide the mandated amount of daylight when installed properly and this particular website provides all the information you need to stay current with government regulations.
Natural Air Filtration & Climate Control
Unlike skylights of days gone by, today’s skylight can be opened and closed, letting in fresh air and letting smoke and cooking gases out. If you haven’t seen the advances in skylights, you may want to see just how they are manufactured today. Many can be automatically controlled based on temperature and air quality and need no human intervention other than setting the controls per your requirements. Some have LED lights installed around the perimeter so that lights come on at a certain time of day which keeps levels of light constant throughout the day and night.
Indeed, there are a number of benefits which can be derived from high quality skylights and proper installation. Builders of today should really think about innovative ways to design them into the buildings they are going to construct. These can be a huge selling point when the customer is made aware of all the health and financial benefits which can be derived from properly fitted skylights. If you already have a home or office and are not looking for a new structure, talk to your roofing or window installer to find out how you can benefit from a skylight installation. Save money, save your health and save the planet.
