Just dreaming but maybe in future DH and I will be

[Lavndrgrl]

able to build our own house on our land. I love learning about anything to do with building homes. What is the best positioning for a house in regards to room locations? What I mean to say is where the sun hits the home in different seasons. The only entrance onto our property is from the north side. I know that we would want the face of the house to be facing the road front on the north side, but how would you place your rooms if the house was facing north?

Thanks for any advice.

[Up North]

If you are building in a climate that has WINTER do not place the bathtub/bathroom along an exterior wall.

[Lavndrgrl]

We live in MS but I still think that is a good point.

[ceresone]

My dad was a old time carpenter, 100 years or so ago--but he gave me one bit of advice I've never regretted--always put your bedrooms, and thusly bedroom windows on the south side. Its mid June now, havent had to turn on air conditioning yet.

[whiterabbit454]

i was always told to put the house facing south did i listen? no! so i end up with more heat in the living room than i need in the summer i have to run the A/C alot just to stay cool but good luck on your house

[FreeRanger]

There is no wrong answer to this question. Position the windows so that you get the best views out the windows you will be looking out...that's my advice....


Now for the REAL answer: Make sure the kids rooms are at the opposite end of the house from the parent's bedroom. For example, my room is on the SouthWest corner of the 1st level. My childrens rooms are all in the basement along the East wall (which is totally walk-out level on that side so when then look out they don't feel like they are in a basement.

[Mid Tn Mama]

Put your windows on the south side with a trellis that will let sun in during the winter (passive solar) and cool the home in the summer. do not put many windows on the west as that is where the cold winds come from. We put our bedroom closet there and it is a bit cooler, but who cares cause it's the closet.

Our house is a little off from facing north, but we get quite a breeze when we open windows. Think about air flow. Put a window in the basement that can be opened while you run an attic fan in the summer (nice cool breeze).

It really does make a difference! WE have one of the lowest electric bills of our friends and family.

Be sure to insulate the attic well and outside wall electric sockets.

Get the more expensive windows that reflect the sun on the south side. Don't pay for that on other sides.

Grow deciduous trees on the south side of the house. Put them far enough away so they don't fill your gutters.

Grow a windbreak on the west (pine trees and trees that keep their leaves) on the west to break up the west winds.

[Selena]

Originally Posted by Up North

If you are building in a climate that has WINTER do not place the bathtub/bathroom along an exterior wall.

At our old house, not only was the tub against the north wall, it had NO insulation in the walls and a window -- nothing but open field for miles so needless to say, I ran about 2 inches of hot water before running warm water. And it drained uphill to add insult to injury.

[Lavndrgrl]

Thanks for the great advice. This is very helpful.

[Up North]

If your house would be rural, and /or if you have kids that... well, if you have kids at all, LOL, you really want a mud room. If your house is facing north, perhaps the mud room entrance could be inside a garage or on the East or West end of house? Mud rooms should be situated so that they are a short jaunt (and not across carpet) to the bathroom.
You really do not want children or adults (in their workin' clothes) crossing living rooms, dens,etc. everytime they need a trip to the wc . You also do not want a pile of barn boots or wet and muddy children's clothes flung about on your front entrance.

[Maura]

There's no law that says you have to have the front of your house facing the road. Our house was positioned on an angle to the road, which works fine for us. If you position a couple of trees right in the front, you can swing your driveway and/or front walk naturally over to the front of the house. Place a large overhang to the south, which may mean putting a porch or carport in an odd place.