Help to see the light

Research demonstrating the lack of daylight remote workers receive on a daily basis necessitates the development of window solutions that maximise natural light, according to polymer supplier Rehau.

Commissioned by Rehau, the research found that the average working-from-home (WFH) employee receives only 22 minutes of sunlight daily, with 30% of those surveyed saying their working area receives no natural light.

Thirty-six percent of respondents said this lack of light definitely contributed to a lack of motivation, and highlights a potential ongoing problem as remote working arrangements become the norm post-pandemic.

Rehau is advocating that installers and fabricators adopt window solutions into their portfolio that ‘let the outside in’, and that being aware of trends around working arrangements and natural light, and including products that address these concerns, will give fenestration professionals opportunities for further business.

“So much has changed during the pandemic, and while the country is expecting things to go back to normal as final Covid restrictions are loosened, some of these changes are welcome and here to stay,” Malcolm Taylor, commercial products manager at Rehau Windows, said. “This includes WFH arrangements, which have given millions in the UK the chance to adopt a more flexible home and office attendance schedule, allowing them to fit work around other commitments.

“However, our recent research has found that this obvious benefit is coming at a cost in terms of the amount of natural light remote workers are receiving on a daily basis. As these working arrangements move from temporary to permanent post-pandemic, so too must installers and fabricators adapt their product ranges to suit this new normal.

“By implementing high-quality, flexible solutions into their portfolio and highlighting the importance of products that allow more exposure to natural light, the sector is well-placed to offer solutions to this growing concern.”

Balconies are one such area that fabricators and installers should be aware of, having grown in the pandemic from an often-overlooked feature to a key part of modern living for many homeowners. With people continuing to spend more time indoors even post-pandemic, products such as Rehau’s Skyforce Juliet balcony provide an ideal way of receiving more natural light while simultaneously enhancing a home’s curb appeal, the company said.

The visible aspects of the Skyforce solution can also be customised, and different colours selected to suit specific buildings, taking account of homeowner demand for individualisation. It includes fewer parts than any other Juliet balcony on the market, meaning it can be fitted quickly and easily, the company said.