Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jun 21, 2015 2:37 pm Hi everyone, I'm building a first home in Sienna wood WA and am very concerned about making it as solar passive as possible. Unfortunately we've been forced to change blocks due to the first block being held up close to a year now and no foreseeable date on it being titled. My house plan which I'm already partly locked into has a massive wrap around window on the front. I planned on having sheer curtains all the way around and block out roller blinds. On the new block this front will be facing west, the part of the window that wraps around will be facing north and it's going to be so hot. It's the master bedroom and I need a cool room in the afternoon and evening when I sleep so this is not really ideal. I'm a hot sleeper and have trouble sleeping in the summer as is. Keep in mind I can change the windows but can't change the structure at this stage. What can I do? Here are options I have thought of so far but any advice would be greatly appreciated. Keep in mind whatever window orientation I chose I will likely also add reflective tint on the window, upgrade insulation on west wall and plant trees for shade in the front yard. 1. Leave the massive window with the sheers curtain but install cellular honey comb rollers as well. 2. Keep the same width and general style of the window but instead of doing full length have it starting from a metre off the ground. Unfortunately this shorter window doesn't look as good and won't suit the sheer curtains I wanted. 3. Change the window to one panel near the pier and a narrow high window coming off and wrapping around the corner (like an L shape). I can add a photo of what I mean if it's unclear. Does anyone else have some advice on what I can do? Who else has a west facing elevation with the master bedroom at the front? I'm really sad because I was in love with the idea of the big wrap around window at the front. It gives great street appeal and looks great inside the room but if the house is going to be a hot box it just doesn't make sense to have something that looks great but isn't going to be comfortable Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Need advice on west facing elevation problem 2Jun 21, 2015 2:41 pm Note: the reason my plan is inverted on the picture is because I'm flipping the original plan so those big windows on the living room face North. Re: Need advice on west facing elevation problem 3Jun 21, 2015 6:37 pm Reflective film will make a big difference. The other thing is to plant shading plants in the garden. (This photo shows my lastwest facing, house after a couple of years. http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2012/02/sha ... g-windows/ The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Need advice on west facing elevation problem 4Jun 21, 2015 7:11 pm Thanks bashworth! I actually already have been searching online and read your article it's very helpful Did you find that approach made the front room comfortable? Or was it still not enough and you would have preferred to just make the window smaller if you could? Re: Need advice on west facing elevation problem 5Jun 21, 2015 7:20 pm I would have made the window smaller. Although the builder was happy to change windows at the side and rear of the house they wouldn't change the front facade. The film immediately made a huge difference and transformed the feel from 'far too hot' to very acceptable. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. 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 19991 The warning is on the sticker on the door too. Second the aluminium powdercoat 6 18203 |