Natural light is good for our health, our productivity and our soul. A loft conversion is the ideal way to bring natural light into your home.
Velux is one of the leading loft window brands. The company has launched 'Project Daylight' – a scheme that aims to get more natural light into our homes and workplaces. Velux aim to inspire and offer the right advice to transform dull spaces into inspirational ones. If you opt for a loft conversion, Velux windows are specifically designed to maximise the loft's light. If utilised well, light can open up a space, give a property that wow factor, and have a real impact on how you live and use your rooms.
New Loft? Light Up the Way
A loft lights up the home and can lift our moods. Not only does a loft conversion create much needed space, it offers a desirable space by inviting a flood of natural light. Unlike a cellar, or even an extension, lofts are full of opportunities to bring in the sunshine. Loft conversions can feature windows in the uppermost part of the home – the roof – ensuring your loft will be flooded with natural light.
Let There Be Light!
Studies and research have shown time and time again that people love natural light. It is in fact, an essential resource for our well being. We are drawn to natural light and sunlight. Without it, we can feel depressed or be afflicted with SAD – a particular type of depression that affects up to one in 20 people. SAD hits during the autumn and winter and is linked to a lack of daylight exposure. Symptoms include lacking energy, being low spirited, feeling depressed or miserable, sleep disturbance and low sex drive. The treatment? Exposure to plenty of daylight. Ideally, bringing more daylight into your life with a loft conversion can help. And there are dedicated light boxes you can buy to create a regular dose of artificial light.
Shed Light on Your Loft
If you are looking to convert your loft into an office, you will need to put some thought into the loft lights you need. As well as maximising the natural light, you may need to install overhead lights and desk lamps if you plan to work at night. Breaking up the light in a room using a variation of lighting schemes, from lamps to wall lights, will help if you want to break up the room. If you want your office to double up as a room to wind down in, soft loft lights and an easy chair or sofa can be used in one corner for a cosy, relaxation area.
Lift Your Loft, Lift Your Mood
Loft conversions make the perfect artist's studio, thanks to the flood of natural light that they invite.
There are tangible as well as emotional benefits to bringing in the light with a loft.
Research has shown that employees are more productive and more comfortable in offices that let in plenty of natural light. The studies show that this in turn reflects on the bottom line for businesses with fewer cases of absenteeism and high employee satisfaction. A loft conversion then is an ideal spot for a home office or small studio. Not only is it more conducive to work, but using natural light means you will cut down on your electricity bills. It's important not to underestimate the impact that natural light in your loft can have. American supermarket Wal-Mart discovered in one store, sales doubled in the day-lit section of their store compared to the artificially lit section.
Loft Lights: Showing the Way
Of course the benefits of natural daylight comes with other issues – added windows may raise issues of heat and glare. A good loft converter will know how to control and use the loft lights and natural light to create a comfortable and ideal indoor environment. Natural light can unlock potential you didn't know you're home had.
Using dedicated loft lights and specifically designed loft windows will ensure you can cleverly manipulate light. Velux windows for example use technology to control and harness light, including touch of the button-blinds and rain-sensitive windows that automatically close when the heavens open.