Window size and placement to maximise light?
9 years ago
We have just commenced our build and I need to lock in window order next week. I'm now second guessing plans for window placement and would love your advice. Plans are attached, in summary, we are building an open plan living, kitchen, dining area opening out onto a covered alfresco. North side of the house will run the length of this space but faces onto a narrow driveway and unattractive neighbouring property. I currently have one long highlight window and one picture window in plans. Options I'm considering are:
1) swap placement of highlight and picture window and make this window larger so that the meals area has large windows on the two walls (one onto alfresco). Pros - more light? Opportunity to plant out view so will improve over time, create a wrap around effect with all the windows (have seen some lovely examples but can't seem to find them now that I want them!). Cons - limits furniture placement options for meals area, possibly reduces light into family zone?
2) highlight windows for both. Pros - preserves wall space for furniture options, no ugly neighbour aspect. Cons - would this reduce overall light?
3) as per plans. Pros - similar to above, furniture placement options. Cons - the picture window is further up the driveway so is likely to have a trailer in full view most of the time. Yuk!
4) highlight windows as per option 2 but add skylights to roofed alfresco so that this isn't as shady?
I would love your thoughts, am sure window guy will have a view next week but it would be great to hear from anyone who has experience with these choices. Do highlight Windows let in same or less light?
Thanks!
1) swap placement of highlight and picture window and make this window larger so that the meals area has large windows on the two walls (one onto alfresco). Pros - more light? Opportunity to plant out view so will improve over time, create a wrap around effect with all the windows (have seen some lovely examples but can't seem to find them now that I want them!). Cons - limits furniture placement options for meals area, possibly reduces light into family zone?
2) highlight windows for both. Pros - preserves wall space for furniture options, no ugly neighbour aspect. Cons - would this reduce overall light?
3) as per plans. Pros - similar to above, furniture placement options. Cons - the picture window is further up the driveway so is likely to have a trailer in full view most of the time. Yuk!
4) highlight windows as per option 2 but add skylights to roofed alfresco so that this isn't as shady?
I would love your thoughts, am sure window guy will have a view next week but it would be great to hear from anyone who has experience with these choices. Do highlight Windows let in same or less light?
Thanks!
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9 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
9 years agoRelated Discussions
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Comments (9)I just finished our new ensuite, which has a 1600mm vanity. I have 4 lighting circuits (switches): 1. 2 x downlights for the main bathroom in a similar place to you. 2. Another 2 x downlights ( 1 over each sink) 250mm off the wall (vanity is 500mm deep so halfway between person and mirror). 3. Extractor Fan / Heat Lamp and 4. Strip light under vanity for late night trips. The downlights are dimmable so you can have the main bathroom in a medium light and then you can choose how much to crank your vanity lights. The idea is that the light should shine onto your face hence they are installed in front of the person and they are on a gimble so they can be tilted to point at your face. I think you are in Australia so I can tell you they are the Domus Aqua Tilt 13 and are fully sealed (ip65) so no issue having over your shower, etc. They are also very bright as the light bounces off the white tiles, so really they are only needed when applying makeup. It's hard to know exactly where your lighting needs to go when you just have plans in front of you, but you could always get your electrician to wire both for wall sconces and downlights and then when you are further along you can choose whether to cut downlights or have wall lights. (Remember to take pictures and measurements of the wire locations before they close in the walls / ceiling!) If you try downlights first, it's also a lot easier to change your mind (i.e patch a ceiling) than wall lights as that usually means drilling through tiles.....See More- 9 years ago
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