The fall or autumnal equinox marks the half way mark of the sun moving from the summer to winter solstices. In Pikes Peak country it arrives at 8:49 am on September 22, 2012. The sun is crossing the equator, moving into the southern hemisphere. Our daylight will continue to get shorter and the sun will be what we call “lower in the sky”. The angle as it enters our homes becomes lower and comes farther into our rooms, as opposed to the high summer sun.
The beauty of the changing sun angle is showcased amazingly for those who have Silhouette® shadings on their windows. The structure of Silhouettes® allows a play of light as it hits the vanes from the outside then moves into the room at different angles, allowing different angles of light in your rooms. By rotating the vanes, all of those sun angles change, making the light in the room change.
When the vanes are in the basically horizontal position, there is still light play. As it makes a horizontal tube type structure, bugs and debris are drawn into the side opening. People wondered how to get bugs out of Silhouettes® after they had them in their homes for awhile, so we invented our CamilyWand Sticky Bug Removal Tool™ to pick up the pests with its sticky tip. The light will heat the bugs, so it is best to remove them as soon as you see them. We don’t want them to stay in the blinds until the Winter Solstice!
As you enjoy the longer evenings it is said that autumnal equinox increases the chances of Northern Lights sightings. The next 5 weeks will offer a better chance of seeing the glow of aurora, should you be lucky enough to see it where you live
Another interesting play of light happens during the equinoxes at the El Castillo pyramid in Chichen Itza on the Mayan peninsula of Mexico. A shadow from light shining on the side of a staircase on the pyramid joins with the stone head to give the illusion of a large glowing “serpent,” according to National Geographic.
This phenomenon happens in the rooms of our homes and offices is a less dramatic way. A client recently bought more window shadings to cover her upper layer of windows so she could cook in her kitchen at dinnertime. The timing of the sun glare is the same every year and is also evident in the reverse time with the spring equinox. By using the summer solstice on June 21st and the winter solstice on December 21 as pivotal times, we’re able to determine light patterns in our living areas. Those patterns reverse at the solstices, so determining your light patterns for ½ of the year will be the opposite on the other half, like a mirror image.
With Silhouette® shadings we are able to control those light and heat changes to suit our daily living chores, thus the beauty of the product. We get light control, insulation and views at the same time in the same product. Other types of products do not offer all three attributes, so Silhouette® and similar products are very popular and effective. We need to protect them and our investment in them, so we have our CamilyWand Sticky Bug Removal Tool™ to do that.
4 replies on “Fall Equinox – How it Affects Light, Your Living”
Lynn, this shows how passionate you are about what you do; interior design, NOT just window covers, shades etc. Without an intimate knowledge of how light enters our interiors, one can’t design an interior that is pleasing to the eye and comfortable to live in. Bravo! Hope everyone sees the Light in you!
Thank you, Dr. Surya Ganduri! You know that my invention is a direct result of the “Ugly” issue of bugs in blinds. Silhouette owners are so grateful that CamilyWand Sticky Bug Removal Tool is available. I am pleased to provide some additional insight into interior design/window shadings and appreciate your kind remarks very much!
As summer gives way to fall, we’ll be witnessing gorgeous fall colors and falling leaves. You’ll be able to see the season change while you’re enjoying your views. Silhouette owners will see this leaf parade through their sheers and as they save energy when the temperature cools. That’s the beauty of the product. You have views and insulation at the same time.Enjoy fall!
As October approaches and the daylight lessens, take advantage of your bug free Silhouettes by tilting and turning them during the day. When the sun isn’t shining through a certain window, raise the shadings into the headrail, allowing a clear view of the changing colorful leaves. When the sun starts shining in that window, lower the Silhouettes and leave them in the “down, open” position to use the shades UV protection and allowing filtered views. Then tilt the vanes closed when evening comes.