Maximizing Natural Light: The Art of Balancing Privacy and Sunlight with Window Treatments
For many businesses, there’s a desire to increase the amount of natural daylight that’s entering their offices. However, at the same time, many of these same businesses still need to concern themselves with privacy as well – especially on ground-level floors. The answer to maximizing natural light while maintaining privacy all lies with the right window treatments. In this post, we’ll cover some options that are ideal for achieving both privacy and letting in sunlight. Read on to learn more or contact Presidential Window Products today.
Key Benefits of Natural Lighting
Natural lighting is good for both your energy bills and your health.
There are measurable health benefits associated with exposure to natural light. Exposure to sunlight helps your body absorb Vitamin D, a nutrient that helps prevent bone loss and reduce heart disease risk. Natural sunlight is also good for your mental health, as it can help fend off seasonal depression. Other health benefits of natural light exposure include:
ย * ย ย Improved sleep quality
ย * ย ย Improved mood
ย * ย ย Better eye health
Additionally, natural lighting can be good for your budget. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, lighting accounts for about 20 percent of the energy used by commercial buildings. Limiting electrical lighting by optimizing daylighting strategies can help reduce utility bills and increase your bottom line.
Tips and Strategies for Balancing Natural Light with Privacy
Think Roller Shades, Solar Shades
Roller shades and solar shades are two of the most popular commercial window treatments for maximizing sunlight and ensuring adequate privacy. Roller shades are exactly what they sound like – they’re shades that literally roll up and down, either manually or with a motor. When they’re rolled up, the entire window is exposed, letting natural daylight into any space. When they’re down, they help instill privacy. Many commercial offices install motorized shades and then set timers so they’re down during non-business hours and up during normal business hours to allow sunlight into the space. Roller shades can also easily be raised and lowered on demand.
Solar shades are similar to roller shades in that they roll up and down. However, they’re purposefully designed to reduce glare and minimize UV light. Another key differentiator is that they still allow sunlight and preserve outdoor views while limiting what anyone outside the window is able to see on the inside when they’re down.
Consider Window Films for Balancing Privacy, Optimizing Sunlight
If you’re not interested in commercial blinds for your business but still want to maximize privacy, window films are an option. Window films are a cost-effective and non-invasive way to enhance your windows – and there are a variety of different types of films to choose from depending on what your office needs are. For instance, certain window films are designed to control glare and limit UV light. Decorative window films can be installed to enhance privacy. If you operate a high-risk business, certain window films are designed to reduce RF/IR transmission and enhance physical security.
Cellular Shades Let Light in While Maintaining Privacy
The final option we’ll cover here are cellular shades. Cellular shades are nice because they’re designed to still allow a certain amount of natural daylight when they’re drawn. However, when they’re drawn, they’ll maximize privacy by eliminating what any curious bystanders may be able to see from the outside. Cellular shades are one of the most popular window treatments for office environments based on their affordability, attractiveness and effectiveness. They’re also good for controlling heat, which can help reduce energy bills.
Contact Presidential Window Products
For more information on how to balance privacy and natural daylight with window treatments, contact Presidential Window Products today.
Image courtesy of Mecho Shade.ย