Posted by James Desmond on Wed, Jul 21, 2010 @ 11:34 AM
If you have ever looked at a wall in your house and wondered "Why isn't there a window there?" then you are not alone. The importance of where your windows are located in your home is often overlooked and sometimes not properly thought out. Here at Suburban Windows & Siding we have a lot of customers who ask if its possible to install a window opening where there is currently not one.
We always encourage homeowners that a window can be installed anywhere in their house for a few important reasons. Proper window placement encourages good ventilation, which lessens your dependence on air conditioning in the summer. It can also minimize heating costs in the winter by providing adequate solar heat gain. Window placement can also effect your furniture and carpeting because overtime fading can occur from damaging UV rays. When it comes to choosing replacement windows, it is definitely not a one-size-fits-all situation. Each section of your home might actually require a different type of window.
Facing South: To calculate how many windows should be installed, south-facing windows' square footage should be 8% to 12% of the finished floor area(cumulative). If you have energy efficient windows, such as Heat Mirror, then the total glass area could increase up to 10-15% without overheating your home. The Heat Mirror replacement windows help to heat up your home in the cold, frosty winter, but prevent it from entering in the humid summer.
Facing East & West: Use low solar heat gain, or low-E, coatings for all around energy efficiency. East-facing windows should have a 4% ratio of finished floor area to glazing area; west-facing windows should have 2%.
Facing North: Windows on the north side of your house should also have a 4% ratio of finished floor area to glazing area.
