Upper floor ceiling height, windows, eves and ceiling fans

Hi all, I am having trouble deciding on ceiling heights for the upper floor on a 2 story new home build. I am considering the factors in relation to the windows in relation to the eves, and also the ceiling fans, with regards to the overall energy efficiency. This house is being build for Brisbane, so it's mainly the summer energy efficiency which is important. The choices are as follows:
- 2550mm ceiling height with standard 1200mm windows
- 2700mm ceiling height with standard 1200mm windows
- 2700mm ceiling height with deeper 1500mm windows

The roof is a 25 degrees pitch with 450mm eves. I am building with a project builder, so I am unsure if the pitch or eve width can be changed. The standard windows vary in width but are all 1200mm deep, and are positioned so that the top edge of the windows are flush with the eve level. Note: The standard ceiling height is 2400mm, and the eve level is 170mm below ceiling height, which means the window is positioned at 1030mm above floor level.

Pros and cons of each option below.

2550mm ceiling height with standard 1200mm windows
Pro's: Standard 1200mm deep windows can be raised by just 150mm so that the top edge of the windows are still flush with the eve level. This brings the window to be positioned at 1180mm above floor level (which is still practical and easily accessible).
Cons: Less clearance under ceiling fans

[b]2770mm ceiling height with standard 1200mm windows[/b]
Pros: Lots of clearance under ceiling fans
Cons: Standard 1200mm deep windows would need to be raised 300mm so that the top edge of the windows are still flush with the eve level. This brings the window to be positioned at 1330mm above floor level, which is pretty high (difficult to reach and also not would make the room feel less open due to the high positioned window), which is an issue.

2770mm ceiling height with 1500mm (deeper) windows
Pros: Lots of clearance under ceiling fans
Cons: The deeper windows would mean the window can be positioned at 1030mm above floor level and still flush with the eves. However, due to the deeper window the overall direct (unshaded) sun exposure is more,

Has anyone else considered all of these factors when choosing their ceiling heights? Any advice would be helpful.

Some councils won't allow windows to be below a certain height, for example we where required to have a minimum of 1500mm from floor to sill height on second story window.

Our council also states they can't open more then 125mm if they are below 1700mm from floor to sill.

If you are finding it hard to reach the window opening mechanism, consider switching to an awning window style, where the mechanism is on the bottom. You also may be able to ask the window manufacturer to move the handle further down the frame, to customise the window a little. If we are able to do that very easily with double glazed windows, with single glazed windows it should be the same or even easier.

Which way are your windows facing? Will they all need to be the same height on all elevations? If the windows are facing West, having a smaller window will reduce the heat gain coming in, in the summer. If it faces South, a small window can make the room appear dark, especially on overcast days. You could play around with the size of the window ie make the width bigger and the height smaller. If you have more than one window in the same room, this can also affect your decision to make the windows smaller.

Can you ask to have some of the exposed windows ie facing North-West or West to have tinted glass to reduce the glare, or even better, for just those ones to be double glazed?

Windowfactory, where abouts are you based? What state/area? I'm in Brisbane

Based in Sydney - sorry - probably prohibitively expensive to freight windows over. You are better off ringing a few local suppliers, if you talk to a couple and the advice is sensible and extensive, you can get serious with them with quotes etc. Although a bit unusual, but have seen it also work out a few times, you could even get a couple of suppliers eg one for your priority or problem areas, and another for all your other windows.

I think 1300 above floor for bottom of window is too high for this style of window. Also you might consider the rules around second story windows regarding restrictors/security screening as that may impact your decision.

I definitely agree with you there. 1300 high windows from the floor is too high. It would make the house feel very claustrophobic because you wouldn't get the open feeling that you normally do having the existence of a window.