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“Location, location, location!” may be a well-known real estate rallying cry, but the orientation of a house is important as well. House orientation refers to the position of a structure on its site, and it’s typically described by the cardinal direction that the front facade faces—for example, a home with its main entrance facing north would be described as a north-facing house.
Considering the direction a home faces is crucial for both house hunters and prospective
new home builders
. It will affect the amount of sunlight the interior receives, heating and cooling costs, home maintenance, and more. However, there isn’t a “best” direction for a house to face. Each orientation offers a different set of benefits, but knowing their benefits and drawbacks can help homeowners make smarter choices.
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South-facing and east-facing houses get the most sunlight.
In the U.S and the rest of the northern hemisphere, south-facing windows receive the greatest amount of sunlight because the sun shines from the south. It’s also important to note that, because the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, an east-facing home will receive the most morning sun and a west-facing house will get more afternoon sun.
Home buyers are often attracted to houses that receive plenty of natural light, which is why real estate agents like to tout a southern exposure. Exposure to natural light also has numerous health benefits, including a boost of vitamin D for your immune system and promotion of a
healthy circadian rhythm
for a balanced sleep-wake cycle.
For a south-facing house, radiant heating offers advantages as well as disadvantages.
The direction a house faces matters significantly for capturing sunlight as well as retaining warmth. Specifically, a home’s southerly aspect (particularly those featuring numerous south-oriented windows) tends to absorb much of the solar warmth. This feature has dual effects: during winters in chilly regions, radiant heat from the sun can cut down on heating expenses. However, come summers, this same absorbed heat may result in increased air conditioning costs due to higher temperatures inside the house.
A home with a northern exposure might be simpler to keep cool as the temperature increases.
Houses aligned towards the north generally get most of their direct sunlight at the rear part of the building. Consequently, a residence with a northern exposure might stay cooler during summertime compared to one facing south. In hotter regions, a north-oriented home could offer the advantage of
reduced cooling costs
when temperatures climb in summer. However, this means less
natural light
filtered through from the front of the house, as the north-facing windows receive less sunlight.
A southern exposure isn’t ideal for a house orientation due to potential sun damage.
A drawback of direct sunlight is the long-term harm it can inflict on siding, roofs, outdoor furniture, textiles, and floors. Since the southern exposure of your house experiences the greatest impact from solar radiation, it would be prudent to allocate funds for regular upkeep activities such as touch-ups and new sidings. Additionally, consider safeguarding items inside south-oriented rooms by fitting them with UV-filtering window films, draperies, or blinds to prevent deterioration.
Homes oriented towards the north tend to experience icing during the winter season.
If your primary entryway faces north and you reside in an area with icy and snowy winters, your house might encounter more severe cold-weather impacts. Due to the absence of direct sunlight, a north-facing exterior is prone to suffering greater exposure issues during these seasons.
ice dams
And icicles, along with driveways and slick walkways, can pose significant hazards. Given that the front face of a house oriented towards the south gets more direct sun exposure, any ice and snow on it tends to thaw faster compared to those on neighboring homes facing opposite directions.
The orientation of a house can significantly impact your decorating decisions.
The quantity of natural light entering a space can influence your decisions regarding paint shades and materials during decoration. As an example, vibrant reds and oranges could be avoided in western-exposed spaces since they receive substantial sunshine starting around 2 PM. Enthusiasts of striking or deep colors might consider using these only in southern-oriented areas, where ample lighting throughout the day enhances richer hues. Additionally, for sleeping quarters facing eastward, installing heavy-duty or blackout curtains would likely be advisable due to early morning exposure to direct sunlight.
blackout curtains
, ensuring sleepers aren’t disturbed by the first rays of morning light!
The direction your house faces also influences how you design your landscaping.
When you think about how your house is positioned, keep in mind that this impacts not only your indoor space but also your garden and outside areas. The way your property faces dictates just how much sunshine it gets. If your backyard points south, it will be bathed in sunlight throughout the day, making it ideal for sun-loving flora as well as those who enjoy the warmth. Similarly, such an orientation makes a southern yard perfect for installing a swimming pool.
If, alternatively, you’d rather unwind, de-stress, and entertain in a more temperate area, a yard oriented towards the north could be ideal for setting up a patio, deck, or barbecue. Those who typically only get to use their outdoor space after returning from school or work might favor west-facing yards, as they receive sunlight later in the day, perfecting the timing for enjoying your swimming pool and deck. Regardless of how your yard is positioned, ensure success in cultivating an abundant garden by selecting plants suited to either full sun or partial shade conditions.
shade-loving plants
that suit the lighting conditions.
Certainly, the orientation of your home dictates what you see when looking out through your windows.
If you’re fortunate enough to reside in a location with a picturesque view—a lake, beach, mountains, or a cityscape—the orientation of your house can make a significant difference.
new construction
Aim to enhance the visual appeal of the location by correctly positioning your home to fully capitalize on the vista. Make certain to arrange windows and exterior areas in such a way that you can savor the attractiveness of your environment whenever feasible.
