Natural lighting, also known as daylighting, is a technique that efficiently brings natural light into your home using exterior glazing (windows, skylights, etc.), thereby reducing artificial lighting requirements and saving energy. Natural lighting has been proven to increase health and comfort levels for building occupants.
Daylight is the source of beneficial vitamin D which our body needs to stay healthy. A building could be designed in such a way that there is maximum natural light inside the house. Some of the fundamental benefits of daylight are:
- Sunlight during the day helps in healing the body
- It’s good for strong bones as it contains vitamin D
- Keeps the environment inside the house clean and pleasant.
- Builds good immune system of the members of the family
- Daylight also keeps the happy mode on inside the house for every member of the family
There can be various ways of modelling a house with a good amount of natural light and ventilation. Discussed below are the sources that could be used to do so-
1. Design of the house
The house could be designed by the architect in such a way that the shape and size of the windows can be defined clearly. The shading and glazing styles must be in such a way that it suits the building. The windows must be planned in such a way that there is maximum daylight inside the house.
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2. Directions of the Windows
The placement of the windows in the house must be in such a way that natural light could comfort the house throughout the day. Windows facing north can give maximum daylight. However, thermal heat is lost during the winters. South facing well-glazed windows can bring in a good amount of heat and be beneficial during summers and winters.
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3. Use of Glazing
Glazing is the most effective way of getting maximum natural light inside the house. A few small strip windows in the ceiling could be designed which will increase the natural light and give a trendy look to your house. Around 30 per cent of the ceiling can be used for glazed windows.
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4. Roofing Techniques
Solar panels could be installed on the roofs to generate electricity to reduce the consumption of electricity in the house. The monthly electricity bills reduce because of such panels and it is a good option to pledge for green living. These panels absorb heat during the sun hours and store it in such a way which can be used during the night. Solar panels can also be used to generate electricity in case of power shutdowns. There could be the use of tubular Skylights. This natural light saves lots of electricity as they are installed on the roof. It absorbs the natural light and then flows in a tube and brings in natural light inside the house.
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5. Use of Sober Colours
While getting your house painted use of sober colours helps in giving a bright look to the house. Light colours could be helpful in keeping the house cool. The trim of the windows can be painted in white which can help in giving an elegant look to the house.
6. Jali wall design for your home
A jali is a commonly used element of Indian architecture. Jali walls have numerous advantages over a solid wall since jali walls can be used in places where there is no need for a solid wall. From providing privacy to cooling the indoors, jalis make for a sensible design element particularly suited for our climatic conditions. And also saves materials and increase the speed of construction.
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Natural light is an essential and free resource. This resource is given less importance. However, it has maximum advantages if the house is well planned with lots of sunlight helps to keep the home environment fresh, clean and keeps the members of the family healthy.
source – Go Smart Bricks
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