Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 25, 2009 11:10 am Hi All,
We have just bought our very first block of land. It's 602 m2 19x30. It has a North facing frontage and I am very keen to have a house plan that has our primary living space at the front of the house to maximise the Northern Sun given that the block is fairly wide there is a good opportunity to have lots of North facing windows, however my wife is worried about privacy and doesn't like the idea of people being able to see in. So my question is what is the best way to overcome the privacy problem without losing the sun? - fencing, tinted windows, moving the house further back on the block (though I really don't want to lose any back garden - I have big plans for that) or maybe skylights to enable the living areas to stay at the back of the house?? I've a feeling this will be the make or break issue for our house plan so any advice would be appreciated. Re: New Block - North Facing Frontage 2Feb 25, 2009 11:13 am Hi, sorry I don't have much advice for you. I just wanted to know whether you've picked a plan yet? When i was looking at display homes, i didnt really see any houses which had living areas at the front. They were mainly at the back, it might be hard to find a plan that would suit. Idiots are fun, that's why there is one in every village! - Dr. House - Re: New Block - North Facing Frontage 3Feb 25, 2009 11:28 am I was going to suggest moving the house further back,a s you've mentioned, and building a nice high fence at the front (if you're allowed! Are you in a new estate or established area?) then your front yard could become your back yard! "Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions." — Elizabeth Gilbert Living in our new house. Currently scaping the land. Re: New Block - North Facing Frontage 4Feb 25, 2009 11:30 am Have only just started looking but no, there isn't many! We live on the coast in Vic. so there isn't the choice here as in Melbourne, have seen a few plans that could fit the bill though. Our current rental is a lovely old house but dark and cold especially in the living areas mainly due to all the windows facing South (to get a tiny sea view) so I'm determined to build something warm and light filled! Re: New Block - North Facing Frontage 5Feb 25, 2009 11:31 am Quote: So my question is what is the best way to overcome the privacy problem without losing the sun? Curtains?? No different to people who have bedrooms at front and want privacy. I have the main bedroom and the lounge at the front of mine. Fencing for privacy may be a problem - many estates/councils dont allow high fencing at the front. I think you will be able to find a plan with liveing areas at front or one which can be adjusted to do so, possibly with sliding doors then opening to an outdoor area at the side. Re: New Block - North Facing Frontage 6Feb 25, 2009 12:21 pm Hi
we will be north facing at the front and our plan (custom) allows for the lounge room at the front which has sliding doors to a (small) fenced front courtyard (2.5metres deep) - will give privacy to the inside room as well as a nice place to sit in the winter sun! Wall will be 1.8mtrs high and we'll grow high shrubs too... - depends, as the others have said, on restrictions for front fences etc... this is our facade to explain what I mean (wall will be higher than this pic)... ... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: New Block - North Facing Frontage 7Feb 25, 2009 12:33 pm My 2c:
If privacy is main concern, lots of people use 2 layers of curtains. The outer layer is a much thicker one only used after hours, while the much thinner, inner one can still let in the sunlight while protecting your privacy, something like this: (randomly picked from google image....) http://www.joanscurtains-blinds.co.uk/i ... rtains.jpg http://www.made-in-china.com/image/2f0j ... rtains.jpg http://www.volgalinen.co.uk/uploads/ima ... rtains.jpg Or the other option is plant some shrubs/plants at the front. But the tall ones cost a lot and you have to wait a long time for them to grow to the desired height. If they grow too high (and blocks the sun light?) you have to trim it.... hope this helps.. Re: New Block - North Facing Frontage 8Feb 25, 2009 1:09 pm My brother was recently looking at a beautiful new house to buy - quite modern in design with north facing front - it had windows that were one way so from the road you could see the garden (not into the house) ie mirror effect - looked very unobtrusive and did not have that purplish tone you see with some one way windows. And yes there was lots of light in the room. Congrats on your land Re: New Block - North Facing Frontage 9Feb 25, 2009 4:29 pm Having fun, that looks like a great idea, I like the idea of having a private outdoor space for the winter sun, I have checked our contract and there is no restrictions on fences in the covenants so that may be the go. Though 2 pairs of curtains would be good as well. Thanks for your tips I will relay them to my wife and show her the possibilities! reply 10Feb 25, 2009 4:33 pm I like your facade - very contemporary and conservative! Built the Atlantique 37 Mk2 with Carlisle Homes - WE'RE IN!! Building thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=14413 ATLANTIQUE 37 MK2 PHOTOS THREAD - updated 22nd August '09 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=22399 Re: New Block - North Facing Frontage 11Feb 25, 2009 5:30 pm Colmeags Hi All, So my question is what is the best way to overcome the privacy problem without losing the sun? You can try to separate viewing windows from lighting windows. High set clerestory windows can give you some additional flexibility. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylighting Re: New Block - North Facing Frontage 12Feb 25, 2009 7:53 pm I used grey tinted glass on my font windows, it has a mild reflection, which works great during the day, no one can see in and from inside (looking out) it looks great too.
At night will will have to use of full block out curtain or blinds. Re: New Block - North Facing Frontage 13Feb 26, 2009 11:12 pm BT I used grey tinted glass on my font windows. You can lose significant amount of radiant heat gain with tints which will compromise your winter heating. Here is a table of solar reductions based on tint colour: http://www.mep.com.au/brochures/specifi ... linked.pdf 4 4492 The warning is on the sticker on the door too. Second the aluminium powdercoat 6 18197 It might be a bit darker in the mornings but the light is still light, so you should be getting it. Similar to what you see from your western windows 3 19987 |