Window Where and Why

Window Where and Why

Window Where?

Window positioning is paramount to your home’s ambient living space. Well-placed windows can offer invigorating views and make your home a peaceful retreat. Homes that are being remodelled can take advantage of repositioning or adding windows—taking advantage of optimum viewpoints. Perhaps a tree has grown in and a current view no longer offers advantageous sunshine, or maybe placement of some original windows in a ready-made home did not offer optimal views. Remodelling is the perfect opportunity to correct any placement issues, while designing and building a new home allows for making great choices, right from the beginning.

There are a few tricks to obtaining best window placement. Situate yourself in the position where you’re thinking of placing a window. This simple exercise will allow you to visualize your view, so you can decide what you want to see, while avoiding less picturesque areas.
 

Window Why?

How much natural lighting is required in a particular room? What about heat gain? Is it a north-facing room in which you would like to maximize the amount of sunshine received? Consider how sunshine can reflect off metal, bodies of water, roof overhangs, and other surfaces that will affect the quality and positioning of your natural light at different times of the day. Enjoying a shower of morning sunlight across the breakfast table is possible if the window faces east.

Southern light is direct and intense, and can be counterbalanced by roof overhangs or by positioning them under eaves. In this manner, intense sun is blocked in the summer and warmth is harnessed in the winter.

The dazzling, sometimes blinding sun coming through a west-facing window is more difficult to regulate. Its low angle dips beneath any overhangs and eaves as the sun sets, so glare-resistant window glazing and window coverings are required. Deciduous trees planted on the west side act as defenders of fierce summer heat, while liberally allowing sunshine to caress your home in the fall and winter, after the leaves drop.

Cool and blue indirect light can be expected of north-facing windows. This lighting is consistent and is a great location for an artist’s studio or any other room where direct light is not desired.

Dedicate some time to window placement when remodelling or building a home. This exercise of deliberation will improve the living space of any home for current and future generations of homeowners.
 
Condensation on inside window surfaces is a common wintertime complaint in most of Canada. Window condensation can be downright irritating, and in some cases, it can even damage your home, especially if you have older windows. It can be a warning sign and can lead to severe damage of surrounding construction from wetting. Through this article we have tried to explain how this situation can be reduced.