Creating the Perfect Study Room: Tips for the Right Products for the Home Office, Study Area

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. June 26, 2008 — Contrary to what many kids think, the best place to do homework is not on the living room floor with a TV blasting in the background.

As students prepare to head back to school this fall, educators and parents alike are recognizing the importance of a quiet study room. The National Education Association (NEA) says children who spend more time at home completing regularly assigned, meaningful homework do better in school, especially as it becomes more critical each year to their scholastic success.  Creating a secluded, quiet and well-lit place allows kids to switch into study mode faster and do homework without distraction.

“Parents understand the value of a quiet study area with good lighting and limited distractions, so we’re seeing more homeowners factoring this into their window and door choices,” said Elizabeth Souders, product marketing manager for JELD-WEN.

In a recent survey of real estate agents conducted by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, results show that 93 percent of buyers desire a room that can be used as a home office. Whether it’s set up in an office, bedroom or playroom, a quiet study area offers kids privacy and allows them to concentrate with fewer interruptions.

Silence Is Golden
Doors play an important role in creating a private homework space by blocking noises throughout the home.

Doors manufactured to provide superior noise reduction can help give kids the extra privacy and concentration they need while studying. JELD-WEN® Custom Carved interior doors, when compared to flush hollow-core doors, block up to 50 percent more of the everyday noise that can cause kids to lose focus.

“JELD-WEN Custom Carved doors help to significantly reduce sound,” said Souders. “With more than 100 standard designs, panel choices and raised moulding, these doors perform well and look beautiful throughout the home.”

To help keep study spaces peaceful and quiet, JELD-WEN now offers a new glass option on its Premium Vinyl line of windows. Dissimilar glass utilizes different pane thicknesses to block out specific noise frequencies, like road traffic or a neighbor’s loud music. This unique glass outperforms most laminated materials when it comes to sound control yet costs only 3 to 5 percent more than regular window glass.

See the Light
One of the most crucial features of an efficient study area is good lighting. Natural sunlight can stimulate learning and promote a positive attitude toward studying. However, excessive, insufficient or inconsistent levels of light can be hard on the eyes. Whether squinting while reading or gazing at the computer screen, exposure to different light levels can potentially lead to blurry vision, eye strain and loss of energy. Window size, glass type and shading options factor into allowing just the right amount of sunlight kids need to study effectively.

To control natural light, JELD-WEN recommends windows that will block bright glare and harmful UV rays, such as JELD-WEN® Vinyl windows with LoE3-366 glass technology or tinted glass that specifically targets glare. Blinds between the glass are also available in some vinyl window styles, ideal for helping to control light levels while limiting distraction. It’s also important to position lamps and other artificial light sources throughout the room.

Extra Set of Eyes
A Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) study shows that the average household now contains 25 consumer electronics products, such as video games, computers, TVs and phones – a major distraction to kids working on developing good study habits. 

To keep an eye on kids without interruption, Souders suggests installing JELD-WEN® interior wood doors with glass inserts, which work best in a home office or play area. Wood tones traditionally used in study spaces can help create a calming environment, which can help kids stay focused.

About JELD-WEN
JELD-WEN, inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors. Based in Klamath Falls, Ore.,
JELD-WEN began as a small Oregon millwork plant with 15 employees in 1960, and has grown to more than 20,000 employees in nearly 150 locations worldwide. Today the company manufactures a full breadth of windows, doors and garage doors, and has earned numerous awards and endorsements for reliability, innovation and excellence. For more information about the exceptional value and reliability of JELD-WEN® products, or to find a dealer near you, please visit jeld-wen.com or call 800-877-9482.

JELD-WEN Windows & Doors Fact Sheet
Top Five Tips for Smart Study Spaces

While most homeowners can’t dedicate an entire room to a study area for children, they can still make sure elements are in place for a great homework and reading location. JELD-WEN Windows & Doors suggests these tips to create a homework haven:

1. Seek out Space: Whether in a child’s bedroom, play room or office, choose a place where a child has privacy and feels comfortable. Also make sure the room has all of the essentials they’ll need to get work done like paper, pencils, books, art supplies and other study necessities. A drawer in the desk or bookshelf is an ideal place to keep these tools.

2. Quiet Down: When closed, windows and doors reduce outside noises to create a private study place where kids can focus on finishing homework, reading and other educational activities. JELD-WEN Custom Carved interior doors can block up to 50 percent more of the everyday noise that can cause kids to lose focus, when compared to flush hollow-core doors.

3. Light It Up: One of the most important features of a study area is good lighting. During daylight hours, natural light can stimulate learning. Window size and glass type, such as silver-coated Low-E or tinted glass and shading options such as blinds between the glass, can help screen out UV rays and deliver just the amount of sunlight kids need to study effectively. After the sun goes down, make sure there is enough light in the room and that it is well positioned throughout the study space.

4. Pay Attention: To keep kids motivated and engaged, it’s important to set a regular time for homework. It’s also a good idea check in occasionally to offer help and ensure students are staying on task. To keep an eye on kids without interrupting them, JELD-WEN suggests installing interior doors or French doors with glass inserts, which work well in a home office or play area.

5. Get Comfortable: Within the study space, provide a spacious and comfortable work surface, whether at a desk or table, where kids can set out their homework and other study materials. If space permits, a cozy armchair is a great addition to the room for reading time. Windows with insulated Low-E glass keep a home warmer in winter and cooler in summer, making the space more comfortable while reducing energy bills.

6. Remove Temptation: The study space should be free of video games, TV, computer games and other online activities that can hinder the completion of work. One of the best ways to prevent overusing the computer is to keep it in a central area within the home.