The importance of daylight as a natural light source should not be underestimated. Because daylight is essential for us humans. It supports well-being and keeps us healthy. Our natural source of light is the sun’s rays, which provide us with daylight. Since we spend most of our time indoors, it is important to let natural light sources into rooms through windows. To make this possible, windows, roof windows and glazing in the roof are used as optimal sources of light in the house. Daylight planning should be part of your home planning from the start: windows as natural light sources illuminate rooms, make them appear welcoming, bring warmth into the apartment and help save energy.
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You can order high-quality polycarbonate skylights of any size from our company. See the full offer: https://www.gulajski.pl/swietliki-dachowe/ or call and ask for details: Tel/fax.: +48 (32) 236 30 05
How is natural light produced?
Daylight is natural sunlight filtered through the Earth’s atmosphere. In other words: the brightness created by natural light sources during the day. This means that we have daylight all the time between sunrise and sunset. In this way, the level of natural light changes throughout the day. People perceive this course of changing times of the day and seasons as natural and pleasant. Light-dark cycles affect our so-called internal biological clock, wakefulness and sleep rhythms, and biorhythms. Our eyes in particular need special protection against too much light. All chemical processes in our body are (in)directly related to the quality of light.
What are the natural light sources?
In addition to the sun as the most important natural source of light, there are other sources of light in nature. In the first place among the sources of light on earth should be mentioned fire. But we also observe other sources of brightness above our heads: they include the Northern Lights, fixed stars, meteors, rainbows, lightning. Chemical reactions also ensure the production of light. This is the case, for example, with fireflies (insects). They emit energy in the form of light. In addition, there are substances in physics that emit light under certain circumstances.
What are examples of artificial light sources?
Artificial light sources: oil lamps, various light sources such as light bulbs, lasers, LEDs, cathode ray tubes, fluorescent lamps, light-emitting diodes, and flash lamps.
Is a candle a natural source of light?
In physics, direct and indirect adjectives are used to refer to light sources. The light source is said to shine directly or on its own as soon as it produces light on its own. This includes candles as they are not illuminated by a foreign object. However, they are not a natural source, because they are man-made inventions. Artificial light sources therefore include candles.
Is the moon a natural source of light?
Unlike a candle, our moon falls into the category of indirect light sources. The sun shines on it and thus emits light on the earth. This light source is also natural because the energy comes from the environment.
Is daylight better?
Everyone knows that we should spend more time outdoors. But did you know that on average, we spend 90 percent of our day indoors? This makes us true “inner creatures”. In addition to the lack of exercise and fresh air, the lack of daylight is a major problem . And this deficiency has – often imperceptible and insidious – consequences for our well-being and health. Experts estimate that 5 percent of the world’s population suffers from seasonal affective disorder or winter depression, suffering from a lack of daylight. In addition, in order for the body to produce vitamin D, you need to go outside and expose yourself to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency also manifests itself with symptoms such as fatigue and exhaustion, up to a greater susceptibility to disease. Our eyes need special protection from the sun’s rays. Too much or too little has a negative effect on vision.
For example, roof glazing in production halls can help as additional natural sources of light for health and well-being. Optimal use of natural daylight in the house also saves artificial light, electric light, and thus energy.
What is the color temperature of daylight?
The color temperature values of daylight, which we perceive as white, are in the range of 6500 to 15000 Kelvin. By comparison, artificial light sources reach between 2500 and 6500 Kelvin and therefore cannot reproduce the high color temperature values of daylight. Modern portholes try to get closer to the color of natural light. However, they never have the same spectral properties and thus the same quality of light. The color temperature of daylight is a mixture of sky blue and sunlight. Also, the distance and angle of the natural light source to the ground affect the color temperature. Therefore, it changes throughout the day, its value is highest at noon. In particular, the red and blue components of natural light vary depending on the time of day and season.
Daylight How Many Kelvin – Table
Daylight has different color temperatures depending on weather conditions, time of day, and geographic location. However, on average, daylight can be assumed to have a color temperature between 5000 and 6500 Kelvin (K). Below is an orientation table showing the color temperature ranges of daylight:
Kelvin Range | Characteristics |
---|---|
5000-5500K | Daylight cold |
5500-6000K | Daylight neutral |
6000-6500K | Warm daylight |
It’s worth noting that the color temperature of daylight can vary depending on a number of factors, so these values are only approximate.
How important is daylight at home?
The sun is the largest and most important natural source of light. Glazing provides a view and provides natural daylight. The windows bring natural light sources sunlight inside and make the rooms look bright and welcoming. Since we spend a lot of time indoors these days, it is important to have plenty of daylight. This affects our hormonal balance, sleep quality, mood, productivity, cognitive performance (concentration and memory) and physical health. It acts directly on the brain, promoting activity and balance. Conversely, its lack leads to exhaustion and fatigue. Because our body does not directly perceive the lack of sunlight, we underestimate these dangers. Anyone who gets too little light from natural light sources becomes tired, listless, and less focused during the day due to the sleep hormone melatonin.
Insufficient vitamin D supply can lead to depressive moods and a weakened immune system. In order for the body to produce vitamin D, you need to go outside and expose yourself to sunlight. Experts estimate that 15 percent of the world’s population suffers from seasonal affective disorder or winter depression due to a lack of daylight. Natural light sources such as daylight and fresh air contribute to the formation of the happiness hormone serotonin and release endorphins.
Where is the best place to place windows?
The shape, size and arrangement of polycarbonate domes affect the amount of light entering them. Thanks to their wide formats, natural light sources let a lot of daylight into the interior. Windows placed higher in the external wall allow it to fall into the room. The height of the elements is not critical. However, low extensions and floor-to-ceiling glazing provide a wide view. And they let in more light in the evenings and in winter, when the sun is low in the sky. State building codes include minimum dimensions for window surfaces. But for really bright rooms where you spend a lot of time, you should plan more than these minimal areas. Natural light sources placed on two sides illuminate deep rooms much better.
For good daylight planning in the interior of rooms, the orientation of the windows is a key aspect: In order to achieve optimal exposure and a balanced distribution of light, architects should take into account the geographical directions when placing the windows. It is best to place the windows in the direction of the sun: south, east and west. Since sunlight affects our biorhythm, it is important to choose the position of the windows carefully. It is important to take into account the changes in light during the day and the changing solar radiation from spring to winter. Planning the rooms according to daylight is therefore important for as many natural light sources in the interior as possible.
- North: uniform light – Exposure from north-facing windows is softer and more even than at other points. Less daylight enters the room through north-facing windows. The daylight entering the room is indirect and diffused. Utility rooms with small windows are therefore often located on the north side.
- South: Direct light – Especially important in winter: Most of the direct light enters our rooms through south-facing windows. Large south-facing windows provide the most intense light and heat output. The weather, seasons and times of day can be felt directly. Therefore, all rooms used mainly during the day should be located on the south side of the building if possible.
- East: morning sun – The light in the morning wakes you up! It contains a large amount of blue in the light spectrum: it inhibits the sleep hormone, melatonin, releases serotonin, raises blood pressure and you become alert. The eastern windows catch the morning light and help you wake up.
- West: evening light – West-facing windows create a sunny atmosphere in the living room after work in the afternoon and evening. The warm, reddish light of the evening accelerates the release of melatonin.
How much daylight does a room need?
Windows in the roof are used to bring daylight into the house. The number, size, and arrangement of these glazed openings is crucial to the amount of daylight entering the room. The minimum requirements for the necessary living room windows are set out in the state building regulations. The focus here is on “at least”: if you want really bright, friendly rooms, you need significantly more windows.
How do I get more light in my home?
To this end, we should determine the requirements for the daylight supply at an early stage of planning. So we can plan the necessary windows. Outdoor lighting levels can vary greatly from region to region. Therefore, a zoning plan must be drawn up for each construction project.
The season also plays a role.
Indoor spaces can receive daylight from natural light sources. Polycarbonate domes of this type achieve twice the amount of light as façade windows. In addition, they distribute the light optimally and evenly in the room. Even in rooms with great depths, polycarbonate skylights can bring in more sunlight if there is not enough natural light from the side windows.
How to light up dark rooms?
In addition to skylights as a natural light source in deep or interior rooms without façade windows, translucent partition walls or doors also improve daylight. The following applies: the deeper the room, the more important the light materials, walls and ceilings are. These surfaces in the room reflect light and affect the brightness of the room.
Feel free to contact us
You can order high-quality polycarbonate skylights of any size from our company. See the full offer: https://www.gulajski.pl/swietliki-dachowe/ or call and ask for details: Tel/fax.: +48 (32) 236 30 05
Autor: Tomasz Matuszek; Dział Marketingu - Firma Gulajski