Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation Re: west facing windows in Perth and the heat 2Jul 11, 2019 10:24 pm 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: west facing windows in Perth and the heat 5Jul 12, 2019 11:27 am thx for the info. Very useful website and also I didn't know anything about thermally broken windows. Quote: I suggest it would be better to find a block with stunning northern views and open views to the west, design the house around the northern aspect and set up a nice place in the garden where you can watch the sunset when the desired and time permits. Oh I would love to if I can find that kind of lot. Like I said, all the ones I could find so far are slopes to the west, although there is one that is north west. I might go take a look at that lot this weekend and see what the surroundings are like. This does confirm my fears that I can't/shouldn't build a house with the big glass walls facing directly west. But depending on the site maybe I can get away with one that faces northwest especially since according to that website solar north is at least a few degrees west when living in Perth. Quote: I would suggest you will want much more Looking at that website, there might be spots where I can plant some strategic trees to shade during summer. Quote: If it was me, I would seriously consider how much time I was going to spend wistfully staring at the sunset. Living in a house where I can stare out at the view all day, I can tell you that you will not do that nearly as much as you would like, and certainly not so much that it would be worth compromising your house's thermal comfort. oh I am very much a home person, even in my current house where the views are not that great I'm always just sitting there watching the view. I'm not the type who likes to go out eating/drinking etc. Plus the bigger plan is to also build a granny flat for my parents and I know they also love sitting around watching the view while chatting/drinking tea. Re: west facing windows in Perth and the heat 6Jul 20, 2019 3:01 pm Great post by arcadelt, agree with everything they've said. OP, good to see you've been looking through the Your Home website. It's extremely useful. I'd recommend that you continue looking for the right block. I'd say NW facing glass is as bad as W facing glass. As it's also very difficult to shade, & the sun is in this direction at the hottest time of the day. As you've probably learnt, double glazing does nothing to inhibit sunlight heating a home. Double glazing is effective against conduction (that is the transfer of heat/coolth from the air, through you windows & into your home). But it does virtually nothing for radiation (direct sunlight). Films or low-e glass can be somewhat effective, but nowhere near as effective as an insulated wall. Film on a large expanse of west facing glass would be like a band aid on a large open wound. As I mentioned, keep looking for the appropriate block. Large windows facing west would be the least preferred orientation. Then South I'd think, as they leak too much heat in winter. East is similar to west, & is difficult to shade, but occurs at a cooler time of the day. For large East facing expanses of glass I'd recommend an east facing covered alfresco area & external shutters to help shade the glass (this can also help western glass somewhat). North facing glass is by far the best, with appropriate length eaves. 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 20708 Shade the brick with large eves. Since going to minimum of 600mm eaves on my build, I've noticed much improved cooling off the house after hot summer days. Can see the… 1 4719 The warning is on the sticker on the door too. Second the aluminium powdercoat 6 19110 |