Sunlight(for US and Canada)
Planning Around The Sun
Bedrooms
If you like sunlight in the morning, strive to place a window to the East.
A slight North direction will get direct morning light for a brief time.
South facing windows will get mid-morning light.
Windows that face West will be dark in the morning, but well lit in the eve.
Kitchens
Consider the time you spend the most in the kitchen.
Display your kitchen next to your dining and breakfast rooms.
Many find space above the sink for a window or use skylights.
If you use a television in your kitchen, place it in an area that will not suffer glare from the light.
Living Spaces
Those who love to entertain usually prefer West facing Living Spaces.
Decks and Patios are popular to place on the West.
South facing living spaces heat up in the summer without protection. Use oversized overhangs on rooflines or shelter with a covered patio or deck.
Entertainment rooms need dark, especially in the eves. Refrain from placing windows on South or West facing windows for best screen viewing.
Breakfast/Dining Areas
Place your windows so the sun can fill these rooms at the appropriate time.
If these rooms are in extreme direct light, this is a prime opportunity for a patio or deck area providing an exterior eating area.
Multi-layered and dimming lights are suggested if your dining or breakfast rooms lack natural light.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms need light and ventalation! Windows provide both, but sometimes bathrooms end up in the middle of a home.
As an alternative, skylights and solar tubes can provide light from the top floor of a home.
A bathroom needs natural light if it will be used to prepare for the day. Position this bathroom in the house so that it has a window or light.
Other bathrooms, like powder rooms may be windowless.
If you rise and shine before the sun, or regularly use this room at night, a window is less needed for your bathroom.
Hide the view of the toilet area from the window.
Laundry Facilities
Due to the nature of laundry rooms heating up, it's wise to situate this room on the North or East sides of the home.
Exterior doors with windows in them can serve a dual purpose. Cover the doorstep with an awning or roof to shade on South or West facing walls.
Garages
South and West facing: Best for winter climates.
North and East facing: Best for hot climates.
If you must deal with the sun on your garage door, choosing a white or light color will help deflect heat.
Insulating a metal garage door will benefit any side in any climate.
Driveways
For flat driveways, the windows adjacent may need shaded to avoid overheating.
Driveways that have an incline should have proper drainage to prevent washing away or pooling according to the weather exposure it receives.