Window orientation – which to choose?

When looking for a flat for sale, we are guided by various criteria in making our choice. One of them is the orientation of the windows. On both the secondary and the primary market you can find properties with windows facing south, north, east or west. What is the difference between their positions, and does it affect the price of the flat? You will find out in today's article.

Window orientation is a matter we pay close attention to when buying a flat. Everyone dreams of a sunny, well-lit interior. But not all properties can boast such an asset.

It is commonly held that the best position in relation to the points of the compass is windows facing south-west. This provides plenty of light in the afternoon. This orientation is the most sought after on the market, and consequently the prices of this kind of property are also somewhat higher. That does not mean, however, that a different window orientation will not satisfy us. Let us therefore check the pros and cons of each.

South-facing windows

Windows on the south side of a flat provide a good deal of light in the afternoon. An additional asset is the natural warming of the interior owing to its long exposure to the sun. This is important information for those who feel the cold and never have enough warmth in the winter months.

East-facing windows

Windows on the east side of a flat will not give us additional warming of the interior. They have other assets, however. In a room with east-facing windows it is worth setting up a bedroom if we like to wake up with the first rays of the sun. The east is also a good location for a kitchen, which does not need extra heating, as cooking throughout the day means it is always a few degrees warmer than the other parts of the flat.

West-facing windows

West-facing windows let sunlight into the interior for a long time, from the afternoon right through to the evening. In rooms with this window orientation it is therefore best to set up the living room, where we spend most of our time after work. These rooms are not recommended as bedrooms, because the long hours of sunshine can be a nuisance, especially in summer.

North-facing windows

Windows on the north side are the least favourable position. In such rooms there will be little sun throughout the day. North-facing rooms will also be consistently cooler. However, even this orientation can be put to good use. In the northern part of the flat it is best to arrange rooms that do not need sunlight and, moreover, can be a little colder. It is therefore an ideal position for a bathroom or bedroom, and also for a study.