Bathing your new home in natural light will not only make it feel more spacious and comfortable to be in, but research has shown it’ll also benefit your health
(Image credit: Velux)
Content supplied by VELUX
When you build your dream home, there are a lot of key decisions to be made in the planning stages. What is your budget? Have you found the right plot? What construction system do you plan to use? But it is also worth, in conjunction with your chosen architect or designer, considering more design-led aspects, such as how the property will blend with its surroundings and how you can maximise the amount of natural light and fresh air.
Top Tip
To ensure rooms have adequate levels of daylight it is recommended that the glazed areas represent 15-20% of the overall floor space of the room.
Making the most of natural daylight and ventilation in your home will not only make it feel airy and spacious, but it also offers numerous health benefits including reduced stress levels, improved concentration and better sleep.
Standard vertical glazing is understandably a popular choice, but this alone may not bring in enough natural light, so you should consider other methods of bringing light in to your self build project to allow daylight to enter from different angles.
Roof Windows
Choose a roof window that gives you a full, open view of your skyline and maximises the amount of natural daylight in the room. This top-hung roof window from VELUX is also available in an electric operated version(Image credit: Velux)
Bringing in light from above with a roof window is a great solution to combine with vertical windows or for areas where a vertical window just won’t work. Roof windows can be installed on pitched and flat roofs and you can install a single unit or a bank of roof windows if your design allows.
Not only do you reap the benefits of maximum daylight hours with a roof window, but they can also be great design options if a vertical window in a similar position would compromise your privacy.
Add automatic smart indoor climate control to your roof windows and blinds. VELUX ACTIVE provides the ultimate choice for fresh air and better indoor comfort(Image credit: Velux)
Automated roof windows are also available which would be a great addition to a fully-automated home. Not only could you close all roof windows with the touch of a button, but you can also get models with integrated rain sensors that close the roof windows when rain is detected. Integrate your automated roof window with a home automation system, and your roof windows could even open and close automatically depending on the temperature, humidity and CO2 levels in your home.
If you are looking to achieve Passivhaus accreditation with your self build project, you can even install roof windows that meet the strict criteria.
Alternatives to Roof Windows
The VELUX CABRIO goes from roof window to balcony in seconds(Image credit: Velux)
Sun tunnels are a great solution where even roof windows are unsuitable and can bring natural light into the most awkward of spaces like hallways, stairwells, bathrooms and cupboards.
If you are looking to create some real wow-factor in your new home, then a roof window that transforms into a balcony in seconds or dormer roof window will not only make an excellent design statement and floods your home with natural light and fresh air, but can also create even more space without increasing the overall floorplan.
For more information on how you make the most of natural light and fresh air in your new home, contact VELUX.
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