Natural light, order, soft colours, ventilation, temperature and acoustics are some of the factors that define when a house is healthy. To try to make your property as healthy as possible, we review the advice of the German insulation company Sto, specialized in the development of building elements and solutions.
- Have lots of natural light
- Order and functionality, the keys to decoration
- Care of indoor air quality
- Temperature control
- Noise control
Have lots of natural light
The natural light is one of the most appreciated by users conditions when it comes to evaluating the comfort and well-being in a house. How can you improve the lighting in your home? Here are some ideas:
- Light colours on walls, ceilings, furniture and textile accessories.
- Installation of tall and large windows with the appropriate orientation (to the south for maximum sunlight), as well as roof or skylight windows.
- Persian or curtains not too thick.
- Choose tables and glass doors, sliding doors are particularly effective.
- Place the mirrors in strategic points of the house.
Order and functionality, the keys to decoration
Having neat, clean, well-decorated spaces with comfortable elements is essential for a comfortable home. This is why it is important to take care of the appearance and layout of the house. According to Sto, light tones give a feeling of spaciousness, freshness and tranquillity, while dark tones give security; the stronger colours generate positivity and freshness, the warmer tones suggest a feeling of intimacy and comfort, while the colder tones are fresher and ideal for relaxation areas. This is especially important in rooms that may be much smaller, such as bathrooms.
Find out how to make the most of a small bathroom.
Air quality
Many substances influence the quality of air in a home: pollen, smoke, dust, mites and odours, to name a few. And if we consider that we spend about 20 hours a day indoors, the indoor air quality must be the best possible for our health, especially in 2020 with increasingly worrying amounts of pollution in our cities.
How can we achieve this? The key, according to Sto, is to use air filtration and purification systems to remove particles and any contaminants, to rely on controlled mechanical ventilation systems that help to renew indoor air or use plants. Also, today there are solutions such as intelligent paints, which can provide reliable protection against humidity or harmful substances and prevent the formation of cracks and dirt.
Temperature control
According to the regulation on heating systems in buildings, the so-called ” thermal comfort ” establishes that the temperature must be between 23 and 25 degrees, the humidity must be between 40% and 60% and that there must be no drafts air or gusts of air. To achieve this, Sto reminds us that “the most effective solutions to regulate these characteristics are the use of efficient air conditioning systems, thermal insulation, gypsum or laminated gypsum panels, a good choice of fixtures or the use of systems and apparatus for controlling temperature and relative humidity “.
Noise control
In recent times, acoustic comfort has become a key element in the renovation or construction of interior spaces, as poor acoustic conditioning can affect a person’s health and well-being, causing sleep disturbances, rest disturbances or headaches.
What are the solutions? In addition to the possible need to install acoustic conditioning solutions in the home (with particular attention to the ceilings), it is recommended to use decorative elements to cushion the sounds, such as rugs, curtains and upholstered furniture, as well as placing the bedrooms in the areas quieter than the house. Another option is to purchase appliances that help to dampen noise.