Tips for installing custom windows to enhance natural light
Natural light enhances your living space and can lift your mood and energy levels. Exposure to sunlight is also a wonderful way to make your home more energy efficient by reducing your reliance on electric lighting. If you’re considering ways to increase the amount of sunlight in your home, custom window designs could be the solution for you. These allow you to enhance your property, boost its value and create a beautiful design that blends seamlessly into your home’s architecture.
Choose custom windows to maximize light
A professional window designer can craft structures that are perfect for any space, even rooms with odd angles or walls that limit your choices with traditional commercial options. Incorporating larger windows will naturally enhance the amount of light in the room, but strategic placement and shape are also key.
For example, vertical windows have a completely different look and impact on a space than horizontal ones. Leveraging different shapes and sizes can give you a unique look that also floods your room with sunlight.
Work with an expert
Professional window installers understand the nuances of placing unique or custom windows in a home. They can handle non-traditional shapes or positions with precision, ensuring that your installation is flawless and blends perfectly into your home’s structure.
Another reason to work with an expert is the guidance they can provide. When designing custom windows, you have dozens of options. From arched and angular to open-shutter designs, there are many functional and aesthetic choices you need to make. Working with a professional can ensure the design you choose fits into your vision while maximizing light penetration.
Choose the right window shapes
Whether you live in a small or large space, you can select certain window shapes known for flooding rooms with natural light. These include floor-to-ceiling windows, bay or bow windows and even circular or arched windows that can allow sunlight to enter a space at different angles and create softer, diffused lighting.
Think about how much light you want in a room. While improving natural lighting is always a good thing, avoid having too much at once, which could damage furniture or floors and lead to glare.
Look for inspiration online, and show photos that you like to a professional. They will be able to translate your ideas into a practical solution that takes every factor into consideration before your installation.
Don’t overlook glass types
Increasing sun exposure in a home means taking extra precautions to avoid harmful UV rays. You can mitigate this problem by choosing windows with heavy-duty glass panes. Some of the best types of glass for custom windows are smart glass and low-emissivity (low-E) glass.
Low-E panes are slightly tinted to reduce UV exposure while still offering plenty of natural illumination. Smart lights, on the other hand, adjust their tint based on the level of sunlight currently hitting the pane.
Find the right expert
Look for a professional window installer near you who has a proven track record of successful custom window designs and installations. For guidance, check out Marketplace by TheHomeMag for vetted local contractors.
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