Natural lighting provides many benefits, both practical and aesthetic. If you have casement or double hung windows that happen to be receiving lots of natural light, it only makes sense to get the best use out of it. In today’s post, Renewal by Andersen® of Seattle shares tips on how to get the most out of your sunny windows.
Soften the Light
If you have large south-facing windows, then you probably know how it is when windows receive too much natural light: you get glare on your computer screen and the lighting would be too harsh for reading or for taking a nap. If you have people in your household with light sensitivity problems, they probably wouldn’t like to stay in that particular room.
While the first thing one would think of is to block the light using blinds or heavy curtains, consider softening the light instead of using white or light-colored window treatments. They will diffuse the light instead of making the room gloomy and would work with any room color palette.
Choose Window Glass With Low Visible Transmittance
If you are planning a window replacement, consider getting windows with low visible transmittance (VT) values indicated on their energy performance labels. Most people would choose high VT values because it allows more natural light. However, if your room needs less light, you should choose the opposite. If you are not sure how low a rating you should get, your window replacement consultant can help.
Grow Window Plants
A small garden window can help block some of the sunlight and make the room a little less bright. When choosing plants for your window garden, choose plants that thrive on all-day exposure to sunlight. Succulents like cacti and aloe vera are ideal for this purpose and can double as dehumidifiers. Garden windows are best in kitchens, where window shelves wouldn’t be out of place and where good light balance is ideal for day-to-day tasks.
Renewal by Andersen® of Seattle is your leading provider of popular replacement window styles like gliding windows. Give us a call at (206) 777-0954. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Bellevue and the surrounding communities.