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Lighting

People are realizing that daylight is an important quality of life issue and studies are validating the importance of natural light. Some programs and services block out window light in an attempt to create security from batterers. That legitimate concern should be balanced with the benefits of natural light for stress reduction. The strategy with lighting is to maximize three goals:

1. Safety
2. Maximizing access to daylight
3. Flexibility - individual choice and control over lighting levels

In order to maximize these three goals, providers can consider making several changes. Changes may include creating new opportunities for light to enter buildings, exploring different options for filtering light that still block visibility from potential intruders, and realizing the importance of individual choice and control to providing welcome. 

Strategies to Increase Daylight into Buildings

Replacing a wall or a part of a wall with larger or even floor length windows brings substantial daylight into a room but does not afford privacy. There are other options.

• Replace a wall with glass block. Glass block and semi-opaque glass, acrylic or polycarbonate can be substitutes for parts of or an entire interior wall. Replacing interior walls helps to open up the movement of light from other rooms that have better access to sunlight.
• Solar tubes, unlike skylights, cost less and less likely to have rain leaks, heat loss, condensation or overheating. A solar tube is a clear dome that collects sunlight into a highly polished and reflective tube that reflects the light down to a diffuser on the ceiling. It can be used to light a small room, hallway or staircase. Tubes come in different sizes.
• Skylights with high efficiency glass can offer access to daylight and minimize heat loss. Skylights produce a canopy effect of direct light mixed with shade. If the shaft is deep and narrow, you do not have to worry as much about glare. There are many different styles and strategies.
• Clerestories are windows that can be installed along the top of a wall or above existing windows to bring in more light at the top of the room. They can have windows that open or not. If they are operable, an automatic system can be installed with these windows that makes it easy to adjust them. Clerestories are a way to control heat and fresh air levels. The advantage of these is to bring in the light in above you where it can bounce off the ceiling where potential glare is less likely to disorient you.
• Dormers are windows with their own roof that make top floors with pitched roofs higher and brighter. They are set vertically into the roof. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
• Add a sunroom. Many are designed for year-round living. Sunrooms, patio rooms, solariums or conservatories can all offer a living environment that is the closest experience to being outdoors on a warm day. 

Dimmers and Dimming Systems

Adjustable levels of lighting is a good way to offer flexibility and choice. Dimmer switches are now available for fluorescents as well as incandescent lights. They are most costly in terms of power usage so it makes sense to use them where it will make the most difference.

Consider dimmer systems for individual counseling rooms. In shelters, consider them survivor meeting spaces. Giving the survivor the option to set the lighting addresses the diversity of lighting needs and preferences. It also enables her to have some sense of personal control over her environment.

Lighting in Specific Areas

Hallways

Hallways tend to be dim. The key to good illumination is to keep the colors and materials of a hallway light. Lighter colors reflect more light and brighten a room. One of the most difficult aspects of illuminating hallways is the too bright window that glares into the eyes at the end of the hall. It is the contrast between the bright light and the dimly lit hall that produces glare. The challenge of hallways is to provide even illumination. To reduce this problem, you can:

• Examine the reflective qualities of the walls and floors. If the floor is high shine and the walls glossy, you can either change those surfaces, or add window treatments to the window.
• In order not to lose daylight but keep down glare, opt for light shades or insert a semi-opaque panel of acrylic or polycarbonate to let in light but eliminate glare and transparency.   

Bathrooms

For nighttime trips to the bathroom lighting flexibility is important. For some, the contrast between darkness and light is painful to the eyes or disorienting. As we age, our eyes do not adjust to the contrast as quickly. There are reflective tapes that can outline the edge of the bathroom door and not be visible in the daytime. Motion sensors for low bathroom lighting are an inexpensive option. A low wattage undercounter strip of light below the counter for the sink is another option. 

Kitchens

Lighting in kitchens should be increased under cabinets and other poorly lit sections of countertops. Easily installable under cabinet lights are now available for task lighting. General lighting from overhead should be bright enough for food preparation and cleaning.

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