DOORS & WINDOWS
BRINGING DAYLIGHT INTO THE HOME
Directional light in design can help transform and improve a space. It is easy to underestimate the effect daylight has on altering the aesthetic of a room or opt for conventional routes such as horizontal lighting.
A
new research review conducted by independent research institute RAND Europe on behalf of VELUX, has also identified several studies that find a positive association between people’s exposure to nature and their mental health and wellbeing. Natural light has a direct link to our mental wellbeing, and thus it is imperative to bring natural light into the home through the design process.
When finding new ways to diversify a space within the design process, we recommend venturing into vertical lighting. This is beneficial, as including natural light within the rooms where we spend most of our time has a way of opening a space and transforming how we feel. Quite often this is either the kitchen or living spaces, both of which can be transformed by a bespoke rooflight such as the Vario by VELUX. In kitchens and living areas, the inclusion of more natural light can enhance our design opportunities and allow us to experiment with new textures and more dramatic colour
patterns to bring our homes to life. For those rooms short on space, vertical lighting also doubles the effect of light within that room, whilst also creating an illusion of more space and providing greater design flexibility. The focus is usually on façade lighting coming in horizontally through façade windows or bi-fold doors, which is important in order to create an accessible connection between the kitchen extension and the garden area. However, when the extension is complete, the light influx will be moved outwards towards the garden which usually creates darker areas in the original part of the home.
Incorporating vertical light through a roof is a way to eliminate this problem and flood the room with daylight to give the effect of having more space. The benefit of this shows as a rooflight can be the same size as a façade window and yet, it can provide twice as much daylight. It also allows for you to capitalize on the sun’s most dominant hours in the middle of the day truly brightening and transforming.
Bespoke rooflights such as Vario by VELUX are the perfect solution to adding more natural light into your home. Vario by VELUX is bespoke and affordable, so it can offer a solution to any room, offering crisp, custom-made designs to sculpt a space with natural light and welcome nature indoors. Architecturally, bespoke rooflights such as those offered by Vario by VELUX also bring to life another dimension in home design, moving away from static 2D living where walls are blockers to the outside world towards 3D living where even a fifth wall can become an extension of nature. The customisation element of the Vario by VELUX range allows design-conscious homeowners to become more involved in the design process, creating a unique solution to fit their lifestyle needs and
bring more light and fresh air into the home. BMJ
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOICE
Whilst timber or composite materials offer several varying benefits, it is important for merchants to have a wide offering to ensure that they can find the most premium and suitable door for their customers.
T imber is still the
superior door choice in comparison to composite, taking circumstances
into consideration such as trends, quality, and long-lasting benefits. That’s according to Oliver Abraham, technical manager at XL Joinery.
“One of the benefits of choosing a timber door, in contrast to composite, is the options when it comes to style and aesthetic. The flexibility of timber allows customers to have greater control over the look of the door and more potential for their personal preferences to be met,” he says. “For merchants, it’s important to stay up to date with trends that are essential in today’s marketplace; that way, they can give educated advice to their customers. For example, when it comes to an
external door composite is a natural choice and timber could potentially be overlooked. However, keen merchants would be able to identify the growing trend of homeowners looking for more flexibility when it comes to the look and feel of their front doors.” Abraham says that having complete control over the colour of
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net April 2020
their front doors, for example, is a unique selling point that composite just can’t compete with. Which is why it’s important for merchants to understand the market and the products out there, in order to identify gaps that their competitors are potentially missing out on. “Whilst composite doors are thermally efficient due to the
insulating foam core, timber doors to have enhanced heat retention and improved sound-retention, meaning that rooms within the home are kept warmer and external sounds are reduced, a premium product is able to offer privacy and little disturbance which is an additional benefit for the end customer,” he says. “We’re now in a sustainable- conscious society, and demand for environmentally-friendly products is more important than ever. Not only does timber offer style and practicality, but wider environmental benefits too. Offering a greener option, timber doors enable a chain of custody, so users can trace the history of the wood used on the product, and know the products they’re buying are sourced ethically.” “Ultimately, there will always be competition between timber and composite. Each product has appealing factors. Despite this, merchants should keep close eyes on the market and adapt their offering to ensure they’re
capitalising as much as they can. BMJ
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