Suppose you have found the right size home in an ideal location. The only problem is that it is dark inside and lacks natural light. Should that stop you from buying it? Not necessarily. First, you should see if there is room to add some alternative natural lighting methods. Here are a few options:
Skylights are one option you could try. Skylights are very popular because of their ability to add a maximum amount of natural light, without the need to install traditional windows. Just be sure to select double-paned windows and have them installed professionally to prevent leaks from poorly installed flashing, etc.
Another option, if you don’t have a lot of space, is light tubes. Light tubes are covered in a material that is highly reflective. As light travels through the tube, a diffuser evenly distributes light into the room. An additional advantage of light tubes is that they have a lens designed to reduce the sun’s intensity at midday and boost low-level light.
If you are looking to add lots of natural light without too much heat from the sun, then Clerestory windows may be a good choice. Clerestory windows are wide but short in size and are generally fitted high on a wall – this allows light to enter the room. However, the roof overhang stops the sun from overheating the room during the summer months. These types of windows also allow the sun’s low position in the winter to heat the room during the cold months.
As you can see from just three examples, it is possible to add natural light to a darker house.