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Daylight Benefits: You and Your Minneapolis Home

We’ve sure been enjoying beautiful sunshine this summer here in the Minneapolis area, but as the seasons change, the clouds will roll in and we’ll be getting a lot less of it. But did you know that there are things you can do with your windows to maximize what sunlight you do get around your home?

Recent studies show that increasing the amount of natural daylight in your home is a good way to improve your overall health. That’s the perfect reason to go out and get a new set of windows that open up your home and bring in more natural light.

But not all windows are created equal.

There are certain windows available today that bring in more light than others. When deciding which windows to add to your home, it’s important to think about which is going to add the most light to your home, and which will function the best in the space that you have available.

The Health Benefits of Additional Sunlight

There have been numerous studies since the 1980’s that show bringing additional sunlight into a space offers important benefits. We all know that our bodies need the Vitamin D we get from the sun, but there are other positive effects of sunlight indoors as well.  

  • Studies done in 1984 by Science Magazine showed that patients recovering in hospitals with more sunlight recovered about 8.5% faster than patients without access to sunlight.
  • Students in classrooms with sunlight also performed better on tests than students without windows according to a 1999 study by Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Bring in More Light with Additional Windows

If your home doesn’t get much sunlight throughout the day, one of the best things that you can do is an in some additional windows to open up your space and bring the light in.

Consider adding windows to any space that’s lacking them. Any rooms that are devoid of windows should get at least two. Rooms that have too few windows should get a couple more to help bring the space to life. You can even add specialty shape windows to bring in light to dark areas, like an oval window over a stairway or a half circle window over a door to light up your entryway.  

You might even consider having a corner window unit installed. These are two windows mulled together than open up an entire corner area with glass.  

And certain styles of windows are more effective at bringing in more light.  Windows that protrude from the exterior of your home, such as bay or bow windows, bring in much more light than a flat window of the same size.  An excellent way to maximize available light in a window opening is through using a garden or greenhouse window. Since this style window has glass overhead as well as on three sides, you get plenty of light.

Walk around your home and think about the spaces that have an excellent source of light and the spaces that are lacking. By taking this time you can make sure that you improve the most important sections of your home first and foremost.

Position Your Windows for Maximum Benefit

While it’s good to add additional windows to your home, it’s also important to consider where you’re going to position them. Windows on the north side of your home will bring in far less sunlight than windows on the east, west or south sides of your home. For that reason, it’s important to make sure you know which side of your house gets the most sunlight and start with adding windows on those walls first. Even a small east facing window offers much more sunlight than a large north-facing window.

Choose the Right Replacement Windows to Maximize Sunlight

Some windows are more effective at letting in sunlight than others. At Window Outfitters we offer Marvin and Beechworth windows made from fiberglass with thinner frames that allow more sunlight in than other windows of the same size. It’s important to consider both the size of the window opening as well as the amount of actual glass area when you’re trying to improve the natural light of your spaces. Windows that are too small or that have huge frames, won’t let in as much light.

Sunlight is important to your health. Do what you can to brighten up the spaces of your home or office, and you’ll feel better for it. Adding windows is the best way; just make sure you’re putting them on the most effective walls of your space for the most light.

You also want to read a bit on energy saving windows, to get the most bang for your buck.

Speaking with us here at Window Outfitters, THE replacement window contractor for Minneapolis, can provide even more insight on which windows will really bring the light into your home.  We can meet with you in your home and suggest great window solutions that will fit your home and your budget. Call us today for a free consultation.

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Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.

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