How to Manage Daylight for Maximum Wellness Benefits
When building a new home, lighting design ensures comfort and visibility. However, a true lighting design is way more than fixtures and bulbs. As modern home designers focus on incorporating more wellness-boosting natural light, a lighting design must also consider how to best control this additional light. Automated shades and window treatments become part of the lighting discussion as an essential way to control the impacts of natural light throughout the day. Continue reading to learn how shades and window treatments should be incorporated into a well-rounded lighting design.
What Is Circadian Lighting?
Circadian lighting is a style of lighting design intended to align with the human body’s circadian rhythm—our natural sleep-wake cycle. Exposure to bright, cool light in the morning boosts alertness, while warm, dimmer lighting in the evening signals the body to wind down. Natural light from the sun is the ideal lighting source for circadian wellness, but its availability fluctuates throughout the day. To assist with better management of natural light, window treatments provide additional control and help to ensure that light exposure supports human health rather than disrupts it.
Shades and Window Treatments as Lighting Tools
Shades and window treatments help manage daylight and provide several key benefits for a health-conscious lighting design:
#1. Regulate Natural Light
Motorized shades can be adjusted on a schedule or manually to allow the right amount of daylight to brighten a room. For example, shades can slowly open in the morning to let in energizing natural light as you wake up.
#2. Reduce Glare
Too much direct sunlight can cause glare, leading to discomfort and difficulty seeing. To combat this, consider installing sheer shades that filter light rather than block it entirely, allowing natural illumination while minimizing harsh brightness.
#3. Enhance Energy Efficiency
Well-integrated window treatments work alongside lighting controls to reduce energy usage. Lower shades during peak sunlight hours to prevent overheating. Opening shades to allow sunlight in cooler months will help warm a space naturally and reduce heating costs.
#4. Sync with Smart Lighting Systems
Smart shades can be programmed to work in tandem with smart lighting. These systems work together throughout the day to maintain ideal lighting levels by balancing artificial and natural light sources throughout the home.
Learn About Shades and Lighting Design
Automated shades and window treatments shouldn’t be left out of your lighting design. They assist with managing daylight effectively, support healthy circadian rhythms, improve energy efficiency, and enhance overall comfort throughout the home. Integrating these solutions into your next home build will create more dynamic and human-centric lighting.
Would you like to explore automated window treatment solutions for your next project? Contact us at LA Techs to learn more.
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