​Light plays a key role in making a space feel warm and inviting. If you are looking to brighten up a dark area of the home you will, no doubt, use some type of electrical lighting to do the job, but what about using natural light instead? Let’s look at some ways natural light can be effectively used to illuminate dark areas of a home. 
 
Skylights are perhaps one of the most popular ways to incorporate natural light into a dark space. These can be very effective but, if you decide to install them, be sure to use double-paned windows and have the flashing done professionally.
 
Another effective daylighting option to consider if you are having a home constructed or renovated is to use clerestory windows. These are short, wide windows that are placed high on the wall. They add light and heat from sunlight during the winter months but, due to the roof overhang, do not allow too much sun during the summer months.
 
Light tubes are yet another daylighting option. These tubes are coated with a highly reflective material that helps the sunlight to channel through them. A lens is also fitted which is designed to amplify low-level light but also lower the sun's intensity at midday. When daylight enters the interior space through light tubes, it does so through a diffuser that evenly distributes that light.
 
We can see how using natural light can be a very effective and energy-saving way to brighten up darker spaces of a home. If you are having your home renovated or built, why not think about incorporating some of these methods in its design.

For a lot of homeowners, finding a tradesperson who is honest and dependable to work on their home may seem like a daunting challenge. While you will likely ask neighbors and friends for recommendations, what are some of the ways you can tell if a tradesperson is being honest with you or not?


When asking for quotes by email or phone try to get them to provide you with the price of the job before giving out your address. This is because a dishonest person will often quote a higher price to someone who lives in a more affluent neighborhood.


It is normal for a company to require a small deposit upfront for the work you want them to do, however, be suspicious of anyone asking for large deposits or even the entire amount before starting the job. If you can, try to have a fixed price for the work and put it all in writing, this way, you will avoid those “added extras” that some companies like to add at the end.


Before you go ahead and hire a contractor or tradesperson, try to find out as much as you can about them and the work they do. Ask them questions regarding previous jobs, what type of insurance they have and their address, etc. If they are honest they will have no problem providing you with this information. You also want to be wary of someone who is very pushy or who wants an immediate answer about being hired.


Not every contractor is dishonest, it is possible to find someone honest and dependable to work for you. The above suggestions will help you weed out those who are not so honest.
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