Sunshine is one of life’s simplest joys. It is guaranteed to boost your mood and lift your spirits and adds a layer of happiness to everything around you. There is nothing better than waking up in the morning to the sun streaming through the curtains. So, other than aesthetic appeal, what are the proven benefits of sunlight in the home?
Health Benefits
Sunshine has long been known to boost the body’s production of the crucial Vitamin D. When exposed to Vitamin D, the skin absorbs an abundance of vital nutrients which have numerous benefits. Most known for preventing bone loss, Vitamin D also reduces your risk of heart disease, various cancers and builds your immune system up.
The sunshine vitamin, as it is nicknamed, can be absorbed both out and indoors, meaning that as long as you throw your curtains open, you’ll be reaping the benefits all year round.
Sunlight also triggers the release of serotonin, a powerful hormone that has been proven to improve your mood and allows you to sleep more deeply at night. In fact, sunlight is known to improve your circadian rhythm, enabling better sleep and an easier time waking up in the morning.
Serotonin has also been linked to increased levels of calmness and focus. Now that more and more people are working largely from home, if you’re lucky enough to have a veranda, take the laptop outside and soak in that focus-enhancing light. Importantly, the glass covering on a veranda offers protection from harmful UV rays, meaning that you and your family and pets can get all the benefits of sunlight with none of the sunburns.
Over the years, studies have shown that plenty of natural sunlight in the home can reduce the production of unhealthy bacteria and organisms that can grow in a house. Sunlight has been used for decades, even indoors, as a natural antiseptic. Sunlight has also been shown to kill bacteria and viruses brought into the home, keeping you and others healthier and happier.
Environmentally Friendly
As with many naturally occurring substances, sunlight has massive benefits to the environment. As sunlight warms the home, it decreases our need to burn dangerous fossil fuels as the home is heated by exposure to the sun.
To further make the best of what the sun has to offer, fit your home with environmentally friendly UPVC windows and doors.
UPVC fittings are designed with sustainability in mind. Maximising insulation, they are adept at retaining heat while keeping unwanted cold air at bay. They are also reliably durable and can last up to 80 years of use, making them a must for any sustainably focused property.
In the UK, sunlight is a treasured and often rare commodity.
Making the most of sunlight can be difficult in less than desirable weather. One option to lengthen the time spent outside is to bring the outdoors inside with a veranda extension, creating a space for family and friends to gather.
To enhance the sustainability of your property, an aluminium or steel veranda is the best choice for you. Called the ‘green’ metal, aluminium can be recycled infinitely, making it an attractive and environmentally sound option for your outdoor addition. Steel is another great choice for your veranda as relatively little energy is used to produce this hardy metal.
An outdoor room allows you to capitalise on summer nights and gatherings spent outside with friends, whatever the weather. Whether you prefer a glass roof for nighttime star-gazing or a classic canopy finish, a veranda allows you to spend more time outdoors with that beneficial sunlight, while also adding substantially to the value of your property.
To explore your veranda options, contact us today!