Early man started living in caves
because they offered protection from the elements. The downside was that
the interior was always dark. Caves with large entrances did allow more
light to enter, but also made the entry of predators, cold and rain
easier. This was how man lived for millennia until he learned how to
make shelters of wood and leaves which were more comfortable and allowed
more light to enter, but the problem of more opening for light meant
less protection.
The
Advent of Glass
There
is evidence that glass was first developed in Egypt over 5,000 years ago.
However, it was not used in construction until the 1st century
BC when the Romans used it to allow light to enter buildings while keeping the
elements at bay.
From
small squares of glass fixed into walls to larger panes and skylights and
finally windows that could open and close was a slow progress that took
centuries. As architecture developed and became more complex, glass played an
increasing bigger role not just in lighting indoor spaces but as an integral
element of design. By the medieval period, stained glass was being used in
cathedral architecture and ever larger window frames
allowed light to play an increasingly important role in interior design.
Daylighting
at Work
By
the 17thcentury, large panes of glass were being manufactured in
England and this allowed the first organized indoor manufacturing to begin. By
the time of the industrial revolution, glass walls and wrap around windows were
being used to maximize the light available in workplaces. The problem was that
the high ceilings that this required meant that space could not be economically
used. Lowering ceiling height added more space, but reduced the amount of light
available.
The
Arrival of Electricity
When
electric lighting became available at the end of the 19thcentury, it
was thought that daylighting was no longer essential. Work could now go on day
and night in factories and offices and at home people did not have to live with
dim candle light after nightfall. Since daylight was no longer essential,
windows became smaller and ceiling lower. Interior spaces became more cramped
but at least lack of light was no longer a problem. In fact, there was a time
when there was a trend in constructing windowless factories and schools.
And
Then There Was the Energy Crisis
When
the energy crisis hit in the 1970s, people and governments realized that they
could no longer be totally dependent of fossil fuels for power. Geopolitical
considerations and the fact that the supply of fuel was not unlimited, prompted
a search for alternatives. At the macro level renewable energy became the
buzzword. But at the home, factory and office, daylighting became the viable
and cost effective option.
Daylighting
Today
Modern
daylighting systems allow for even the most interior spaces in a structure to
get daylight. Once installed, the light is free and there is nothing to wear
out. New technologies mean that there is no excess heat that enters the
building and so no increased air conditioning costs. For the homeowner, it is
the ideal way to cut electricity bills and be environmental friendly.
Electricity
is going to always increase in cost. Installing a modern daylighting system in
your home, office or factory today will pay itself off faster than you may
think and from then on, the savings will only increase. Contact a company that
specializes in daylight systems to learn more about the economics and benefits
of installing them in your home or place of work.
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