And How Glass Block Designs Can Increase Feelings of Well-Being

The benefits of natural light cannot be overstated. Have you ever noticed how you feel when you walk outside on the first sunny day after a few days of gray skies? You have a smile on your face and a spring in your step. The sunshine on your face feels glorious. That’s because as human beings, we need natural light for our overall health.

But the benefits of natural light go beyond our health. Let’s take a look at some of the most common benefits of natural light, and how homeowners and architects alike can use glass block designs to help get natural light into some spaces that would otherwise be dark and gloomy.

 

1. Boosts Vitamin D Levels

Vitamin D is the so-called “sunshine vitamin.” When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it absorbs vitamin D. This vitamin is essential for health, as it prevents bone loss,and can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

The good news is, your body absorbs vitamin D regardless of where you get your sunshine -- natural light indoors will work just as well as direct sunlight outdoors.

 

2. Benefits Your Vision

While of course you should never stare directly at the sun, natural light is good for your eyes. Research shows that getting more sunlight can help children’s eyes develop normally, and decrease the incidence of nearsightedness. 

Getting more natural light can also help reduce eye strain caused by computer and phone screens, as well as fluorescent lighting.

 

3. Helps Prevent Seasonal Depression

Getting more natural light while you are inside can help ward off seasonal depression. About 6% of the population suffers from what is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It’s a depressive disorder triggered by the days getting shorter. 

Sunlight, or natural light, helps increase the “happy” hormone serotonin, which helps with our mood.

 

4. Improves Sleep

Who doesn’t need a better night’s sleep? Research shows that sunlight and indoor natural light are directly related to how much and how well you sleep. Artificial light, especially blue light right before bedtime, can hinder sleep. Sleep and mental health go hand in hand. And so, getting enough sleep is critical to your overall well-being. In general, good sleepers are happier workers and happier family members.

 

5. Increased Productivity at  Work, Home, and School

Natural light can help increase productivity no matter who you are or what you are attempting to do. This concept is especially important when it comes to designing an office complex or other work area, as well as when designing new educational facilities. 

Based on #1-4 above, you can see that natural light makes people feel better overall. That can mean increased memory and increased focus.

 

6. Energy Savings

Beyond the health and productivity benefits of natural light, there are economic benefits and climate benefits. By utilizing natural light, you can reduce your home or business utility bills. That, in turn, uses less energy, which in turn can mean less use of fossil fuels. It’s a win for your wallet and a win for the planet.

 

7. Increases the Value of the Space

More natural light increases the value of your home or business. It just frankly makes it more attractive to the prospective tenants or buyers. Office space with plenty of natural light can lease for $2-4 more per square foot than office space that is dimly lit, or has artificial lighting only. The same goes for homes that are bright and airy versus homes that seem dark.

 

How Using Glass Block Products Helps Increase Natural Light

The photo at the beginning of this blog is a classic example of how using glass block products helps increase natural light. In this industrial setting, which could be a loft building or an industrial facility, you would typically find solid masonry walls or other solid walls.

But the architect chose to use exterior glass block walls to illuminate the space with natural light. This transforms what would have been a dark and dreary interior stairwell with harsh fluorescent lighting into an esthetically pleasing and naturally lit area.

 

Glass Block Walls, Partitions, and Windows for the Interior

If you can’t imagine exterior glass block walls for your project, you can still utilize glass products to increase the amount of natural light in your home or workplace -- even in the darkest corners of your space.

Glass block walls, partitions, and windows help catch the natural light and reflect it into other spaces. Solid walls and partitions can’t say the same. Not everyone can have a room with a view, but they can have natural light in their workspace or basement with the help of this innovative construction and building materials.

Whether you’re a homeowner, an interior designer, or an architect, you can use glass block to boost the natural light in your space, and thus reap the benefits of increased well-being and value of your property.

 

Use Seves Glass Block for Creative, Naturally Lit Designs

Seves Glass Block Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of glass block.  We are committed to ongoing research and innovative design so that we may produce the best quality construction and building products that today’s homeowners and architects demand. For stunning and energy-efficient design ideas that will inspire you, browse our website.