Most of our Atlanta replacement windows customers are concerned about picking the windows that will best suit their homes overall. However, many of them neglect to consider whether the window arrangement they are looking to install will be the best choice for a particular room in their home based on its location. From our experience, certain sides of your home are better than others for letting in light while keeping down expenses.
East-facing Side
The east-facing side of your home is a great place for an extensive replacement window installation. The morning sun enters your home here and gives your home a cheery, vibrant and airy feeling. The morning sun is considered a natural energy booster, and being able to bask in its rays within your home is a great way to wake you up and help you to feel refreshed for the day.
West-facing Side
Although having a lot of windows for your home on its west-facing side can offer you spectacular views of the sunset in the evenings, it can have some major drawbacks. The afternoon sun will heat the indoors on the west-facing side of your house, and it can dramatically increase the temperature of these rooms — especially in the summertime. This heat increase can increase your home’s air conditioning costs.
We recommend that homeowners who are replacing windows in a house with a lot of window real estate on the west side put in double-paned, energy-efficient windows that can help to block much of the sun’s heat. You can also mitigate some of the heat entering your home by closing window coverings during the afternoon.
North-facing Side
Our replacement window installers have found that north-facing windows are a great way to let in gentle, low-glare natural light. The north side of your home receives limited direct sunshine, so there is no need to worry about heat or the light being too bright. Unfortunately, north-facing windows have one notable concern: the wind. Northern winds blow strongly, especially when cold weather is coming in. You will want these windows to have strong, airtight seals to avoid drafts.
South-facing Side
By far, the south-facing side of a home is the most popular place to feature lots and lots of windows. It is considered the best location for all types of home windows, in large part because sunlight fills the space throughout the day without giving you too much heat. If you can, this is the perfect place to do a full wall of windows. If you find there is too much light, some strategically placed trees in your yard can provide you with a little shade to provide balance.
