Posted on December 3rd,
2009
by John Kirchner
There is nothing like the shorter days of winter to remind us of how much light (or lack thereof) can affect our mood and our health.
Scientists and doctors tell us that seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is real, with the lack of sunlight during the winter months adversely affecting most people. SAD is now known to wear us down, bring out bouts with depression, lower productivity, and generally make us feel lousy.
As a window and door manufacturer, Marvin Windows and Doors takes a keen interest in shining light into your life. Shouldn’t you be maximizing the light in your home this winter during those rare daylight hours?
Take a look around your home and at your windows. Is there room to expand your window area? Do you have window treatments that do more to block light than they do add style? Of course, some window treatments are designed to block light, but some, when not in use, can cut out valuable sunshine, such as when bulky curtains are pushed away but still cover much of the window area. If you’re considering replacing your windows, consider increasing their size, too. It might make the replacement project a bit of a bigger one, but envision the brighter home and the nicer view!
There are also benefits above and beyond the added light that new (and bigger) windows would bring into your home. It certainly gets a little chilly in the house during the winter months. Why not try leaving the drapes and curtains open while the sun’s shining, allowing its warmth to come through those beautiful windows and take some of the burden off of your furnace? The heat of the sun, regardless of how cold it is outside, can be powerful. Your furnace will thank you for easing her burden, and once the heating of the day is gone and the coolness of the night starts to set in, reverse your course and close those window treatments to trap as much of the heat inside your house as you can.
Some other ideas? Consider adding skylights, which can be a great way to lighten up interior rooms like some kitchens or bathrooms. Use mirrors to help make rooms feel larger and to reflect light. The DIY Maven at Curbly offers some more suggestions on how to put a little more light in your life, too. What have you done around the house to bring more light in?
Photo courtesy of chatiryworld on Flickr
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