There are so many things to consider when buying a home: location, type of home, living area, move-right-in or fix-it-up, lot size and utility, condition… I could go on and on. But instead of doing so, here’s another one for you. Does it matter if your new house is north- or south-facing? Is this a priority for you? Or does it not matter in the slightest?
As a real estate practitioner, I often see buyers get out their compasses, which are now readily available on iphones, to determine this for themselves. The direction a home faces is something buyers want to know. This is evident on the new MLS listing sheet which now asks the listing agent to include which direction the home faces — south, southeast, north, northwest, etc. So it is something many buyers consider, but does it enter into their final decision to buy a certain home or prevent them from buying one?
I usually consider the differentiation of how a home faces from a sunlight perspective. Typically a south-facing home gets sun for most of the day, especially at the front of the house, and is therefore usually brighter and warmer. A north-facing home gets sun at the back of the house and is typically darker and naturally cooler than a south-facing one. I live in a north-facing home, and I love the sun I get in my bedroom, which is at the back of the house. But I do wish I had some more sunlight at the front of my house, particularly in my foyer. And so I have always thought that a south-facing home was the preferred direction of a home.
Here comes the sun
In general, ideal orientation means:
- you get the right amount of sun – plenty in winter and in cooler climates
- you’re sheltered from strong/cold winds but can take advantage of breezes to cool your home when it is too warm.
When you’re designing a home or planning renovations, there’ll also be other considerations such as local climate, view, terrain, vegetation, street access and noise. You’ll need to balance these against the benefits you can achieve through harnessing the sun’s energy for heating and breezes for cooling.
When should you think about orientation?
It’s important to consider orientation before you buy a property (including an apartment or townhouse), or start designing a new home or renovation.
It’s also worth considering orientation for your existing home, especially if there are small or no windows facing north, or large areas of glazing facing east, west or south. There may be simple ways to make the most of the orientation – for example, increasing the size of north-facing windows or swapping the use of existing rooms so that the sunniest rooms become your living areas.
Positioning for sun
The exact amounts and proportions of glazing you choose will vary depending on other considerations such as:
- climate
- the level of insulation in your home
- the thermal performance of windows and window frames, particularly in existing houses.
It is also worth considering the type of glazing alongside the placement and number of windows. For example, if you want south-facing windows to capture the view, consider fewer or smaller picture windows, that frame the view.
If you are building new, consider upgrading to windows better than double glazing. If you are renovating consider at least double glazing for any window you replace. And remember that frames are just as important as panes. If you are selecting your window frames, consider paying a little extra for thermally broken or high performance frames – these will significantly reduce (or possibly even eliminate) window condensation so you won’t have to wipe down your windows or repaint your window sills as often.
Architectural trends in residential design since the 1950s have led to larger windows, and more of them. Bigger windows let more heat in during summer, and let more heat out in winter. You will want to carefully consider the size and placement of windows – bigger isn’t always better.
To make the most of the sun for warmth and natural light, your home’s main living areas (or any rooms you use a lot) should face north. The main glazing in the house, such as windows and glass doors, should also face north. Anywhere between 20°W – 30°E of true north is fine.
Position windows to make the most of the sun.
The sun is at its hottest at noon when it is at its peak. Because of this, ensure eaves over northern windows are wide enough to keep the sun out in summer, but not so wide that they block it from coming in during the winter.
Overheating and glare is becoming an increasing problem in New Zealand homes, with the trend towards larger, floor to ceiling windows.
You’ll want less glazing facing west because of the potential for glare and overheating from late afternoon sun – particularly in hot, still summer climates, and if you aren’t home during the day.
East-facing glazing captures morning sun and can be sized according to your preference in summer for light, heat control and ventilation. Glazing placement needs to be considered carefully to avoid issues with glare on working surfaces – particularly where there is an east-facing kitchen or study that is used in the morning.
South-facing windows receive minimal sun and should be relatively small to minimise heat loss but allow for diffused or reflected light and ventilation.
Ask your designer to run a thermal simulation of your house design and optimise the amount and positioning of glazing. This will help to prevent overheating in summer and reduce heat loss in winter.
Even if your home doesn’t face due north, windows can be positioned to get north sun.
The sun travels higher in the sky in summer.
Shading
For existing homes and hot climates, shading is an effective way of keeping homes cool in summer. In the north, this is typically done through the use of eaves, wide enough to keep the summer sun out of the building to avoid overheating.
Overheating is typically at its worst on summer afternoons. Due to the sun’s lower angle in the west, eaves are rarely effective at keeping the sun out. Here it’s better to install external shading, such as retractable awnings, louvre canopies, deciduous trees or vegetated pergolas to help minimise overheating in summer, but let sun in during the winter.
If there is no room for external shading, you could consider putting in windows with a tint or a special coating – but remember these will reduce the heat gain in winter, just when you want it.
Shadowing from landforms, trees and buildings
When the sun angle is at its lowest in winter, objects to the north can cast shadows two to three times their height. To make the most of the sun, your home should ideally be positioned as far as possible from neighbouring buildings, terrain or vegetation that might block north sun.
If you are looking for a section, look for a site that:
- slopes down to the north – this will get more sun than a south-facing slope
- runs north-south – this allows a house to potentially maximise a northern courtyard or garden, and be further from neighbouring houses, trees or higher ground on that side.
A north-facing section that is very narrow will give you limited ability to place living areas and bedrooms along a wide north wall. Try making the most of morning or afternoon sun in a number of rooms.
On tight sites, building along the southern boundary is a good idea if your local council permits it. Check the Local Councils website for council contact details
Keep in mind that objects to the north can cast a shadow of two to three times their height in the middle of winter – even at noon.
Even if your site isn’t ideal for catching the sun (for example because it slopes down to the south), it may be possible to maximise the sun’s warmth using north-facing clerestory windows, skylights or position glazing higher in the walls to catch the sun.
Clerestory windows have the added advantage over skylights that in summer, when the noon sun is high on the sky they limit the amount of light entering and thus reduce the risk of overheating. Because clerestory windows and skylights are typically out of reach, they should be specified with as high a thermal resistance as possible to reduce the likelihood of condensation around the frames and on the panes. Condensation runoff can cause significant damage to wall linings, and sitting water can cause premature degradation of window sills and surrounds.
Passive heating and Passive cooling have more information about glazing options.
A clerestory window will bring north sun into a south-facing home.
Cooling when you need it
As well as shading, consider having windows located to easily allow cooling summer breezes to ventilate the house. A house with a narrow footprint has generally shorter air flow paths across the rooms and can therefore benefit more from natural cross flow ventilation from opening window.
If a house has two or more storeys you could allow for central ‘stack’ ventilation between the floors, which can be further enhanced through an opening skylight or opening clerestory window.
Passive cooling explains this in more detail.
Letting in breezes, keeping out wind
From southerly gales to north-westerly blasts, wind is an issue in many parts of New Zealand. Ideally, you’ll orient your home in a way that avoids the strongest and coldest winds – but still allows you to harness mild breezes to keep you cool in summer.
You can use vegetation, landscape and building structures to filter and divert harsh winds. Other features will also help, such as well-designed windows.
When you’re thinking about orienting your home to catch summer breezes and avoid colder winds, consider whether:
- there is a prevailing wind direction (vegetation patterns can sometimes indicate this, or you can ask the neighbours; coastal breezes are usually from an onshore direction)
- the wind changes with the season (in terms of direction and strength)
- the wind strength or direction changes at different times of day (for example, in hilly areas cool breezes often flow down valleys in late evening and early morning)
- the site is exposed to wind, and how much (winds are stronger near coastal areas and ridgetops)
- the strength is affected by nearby buildings, hills and vegetation (buildings and valleys can funnel winds, which makes them stronger, and hills and vegetation can provide shelter).
Capturing the sun should usually be your first priority, but if wind exposure is a major concern at your site you may choose to place your house away from ridges or valley floors that channel the wind. If the site is very windy you may choose a single-storey design rather than multiple storeys to reduce the surface area exposed to the wind. Including a sheltered courtyard may be a good option to create a less exposed outdoor space. You can also plant hedges to shelter behind.
If on the other hand you want to capture summer breezes you can plant hedges or create external feature walls to form a funnel directing the wind to where you want.
Other considerations
As well as sun and breezes, you’ll also need to consider:
- how you will use the site (any garden, garage, shed, fencing, etc.)
- views and outlooks (on your property and wider)
- neighbours
- for your and their privacy and security
- don’t shade them with your house, fence or trees if you can avoid it
- consider neighbourhood noise (for example, nearby businesses)
- retain some windows that face the street for security and community connectedness
- have space to park and turn a vehicle around and good visibility when leaving the property.
Safety and security includes information about house orientation and street view.
Striking a balance
Achieving the ideal orientation is about striking a balance between sun, breeze and these other factors. If you compromise on orientation in order to take advantage of views, you may still be able to make your home energy-efficient by using features such as good insulation and well-placed, well-sized windows.