What is the best house orientation? Complete Guide

Have you heard of the term house orientation? It's crucial when choosing a new home. Yes, perhaps you're concerned about the number of rooms or the size, and rightly so.

However, there are many other things you should pay attention to. That's why today we'll explain what this element is all about.

What is house orientation?

First of all, do you know what house orientation is? It simply refers to the direction the property's facade faces. This is in relation to the cardinal points we all know.

And you might ask, "Is choosing a good orientation really that important?" While in many cases this characteristic isn't up to us, it's absolutely fundamental. Let's see why.

Why is property orientation important?

Believe it or not, a detail as simple as house orientation influences your lifestyle. Don't believe it? Let's look at its importance:

• It's fundamental for determining how many hours a day you'll receive natural light. This is essential for energy saving, as we'll discuss later.
• The greater the sun exposure, the temperature inside the property can vary considerably. Therefore, this factor is key to enjoying a pleasant environment, regardless of the weather.
• Believe it or not, this characteristic influences the housing price. There's only one keyword: Comfort.
• It directly influences your health, allowing you to enjoy a good lighting and ventilation. Especially because it reduces reliance on artificial light.

If it affects your comfort, health, and your wallet, it must be important, right? Now let's explore exactly how to do this.

How to determine a house's orientation?

There are 3 very simple methods you can use to find out the house orientation:

• With a compass, which you might even have downloaded on your phone. You just need to see which cardinal direction the entrance or facade faces.
• On Google Maps you can see it. Remember that the top of the screen is north, so you just have to see which way the facade is facing.
• The floor plans should have this information.

And assuming you don't have access to the plans or a phone, you can simply observe the sun. The sun rises in the morning in the east and sets in the west. This way you can determine this information.

Types of solar orientation and their influence on a property

Now let's look at the exact influence of different orientations on your home. These are simply named based on the cardinal direction:

• First, facing the north. It doesn't receive direct sunlight, making it perfect for hot days. Of course, in winter, heating might be used more since it retains little heat.
• The south orientation is ideal in cold places. It receives sunlight almost all year, and therefore generates a lot of heat even in winter. Of course, this can be counterproductive in summer, when many people often need awnings and curtains.
• As for the east, it's characterized by receiving a lot of sun in the mornings and shade in the afternoons. The morning light is perfect for waking up. Furthermore, since afternoons are usually hotter than mornings, it's perfect for this time of day.
• Finally, west, with intense sun during the afternoons. In winter, it retains a lot of heat. However, those who enjoy spending the afternoon in the garden might think twice in summer. It receives the full intensity of the sun during those hours.

And there's also the mixed house orientation . This involves placing different areas of the home in various positions. For example, facing the facade south and the bedrooms east.

What is the best orientation for a home?

Now you might be asking, "Which one should I choose?" It might seem complicated, but this will depend heavily on the context. Location, climate, access to services, and even surrounding structures can all play a role.

Imagine if there were a glass building in front of your home reflecting sunlight. Even if you've chosen the best position, you could still experience a lot of heat. That's why it's important to evaluate the factors that influence this.

Factors influencing good orientation

Next, we'll look at the factors that contribute to a good orientation for your home:

• Without a doubt, the most decisive factor is the hemisphere. Living in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere directly influences climate behavior. South-facing facades are often perfect in the Northern Hemisphere, as they receive plenty of light in winter, while in the Southern Hemisphere, a north-facing orientation is preferable.
• Even within the same hemisphere, the climate varies from one latitude to another. For example, the city of Barcelona is characterized by a mild and distinctly Mediterranean climate, while Valencia is warmer. Therefore, the specific climate of your location will be vital.
• natural obstacles are also determining factors. Trees and mountains are the most significant, as they obstruct the passage of sunlight.
• We cannot overlook urban obstacles, such as taller buildings. Of course, these can obstruct light, but they can also reflect it. Something we already mentioned in the case of the glass building.
• It's also important to evaluate the layout of each area of the house and its intended use. For example, east-facing bedrooms to receive morning light or south-facing living rooms to get warmth in winter.

You've probably realized by now that choosing the right orientation for your house is not a simple task. There are many factors to evaluate to ensure you get all the benefits.

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Is it possible to correct poor orientation?

You certainly can't change a house's position once it's built. However, there are things you can do to correct an unsuitable situation, as we'll see below:

• Change the roof materials to brick or concrete. They are more efficient for maintaining a cool temperature in the home.
• You can also install awnings that reduce the amount of sunlight entering areas like the garden.
• Redistribute the areas of the home. Relocate main bedrooms or living areas.
• Install a Trombe wall on the facade. This can capture sunlight in winter, storing the heat.
• Thermal insulation is an excellent solution for energy consumption. It helps maintain temperature without overworking the heating or air conditioning.

There's no need to build from scratch. With a few simple modifications, you can make better use of the house's orientation.

Tips for choosing the right orientation

Are you going to build or buy a new house? What should you consider? Here are some tips that will surely help you make the best decision:

• Pay attention to other houses in the area where you want to live. Do you notice a preferred situation among the neighbors? You're halfway there.
• Evaluate the house's location. Are there trees or buildings that block the light?
• It's not enough to view the house from the outside. You must go to each area and visualize how sunlight and air are present in them.
• Visit the house you want to buy at different times. This way, you can observe how the light behaves throughout the day.

Buying a house is the most important purchase you'll make in your life. Make sure you make the best decision, including the house's orientation.

You might also be interested in: buying off-plan.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most energy-efficient orientation?

Ideally, a south-facing orientation in the northern hemisphere and a north-facing orientation in the southern hemisphere. This can vary depending on climate and location.

Which orientation avoids excessive heat in summer?

North and south orientations are generally better for avoiding heat in summer.

Is a well-oriented house more expensive?

It's not a rule, but there are cases where it is. For example, in locations with extreme climates, or if the house has equipment to correct the orientation, such as awning installations.

Which orientation gets the most natural light during the day?

North and south orientations, depending on the hemisphere, offer more daylight hours.

How does orientation influence architectural design?

Orientation can dictate structural changes to improve thermal comfort, lighting, and ventilation.

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Conclusion

Have you noticed how the house orientation is so important? It encompasses everything: location, design, structure, and can even directly affect the price.

Are you buying a new property? Don't overlook this. It can make the difference between living in a house and living in a home.