Hello everyone,
our municipality will soon be selling building plots in a new development area. We are currently trying to select the "best" plots... I know, that sounds very optimistic... but in the application we have to name 5 building plots that would be suitable for us.
Of course, the plots at the edges with an unobstructed view of fields and vineyards are the most sought after. Below I have attached a screenshot showing the 2 (in my opinion) best plots (the plan is oriented north). We would like to take advantage of the beautiful view and install a large window front (a kind of glass façade) on the west side. On the south side, we want a lift-and-slide door (about 400cm x 250cm (13 feet x 8 feet 2 inches)) – marked in red on the picture. The distance to the property boundary would be only about 5.5m (18 feet).
The house should be an Energy Efficiency House 40 (Effizienzhaus 40). My husband is a bit skeptical about the glazing on the west side. He thinks the window front should be on the south side – but there we would not have a free view...
There are also 3 plots with neighbors on the south side. The problem there is that the house would be positioned a bit lower and the free view would be about 1.5 to 2m (5 to 6.5 feet) above the single-family house. So, you would have to look upwards or plan the living room on the first floor.
What do you think? Would having the glazing on the west side be a deal breaker for an Energy Efficiency House 40? Textile sunshades are planned.
We intend to consult an energy advisor only after we have a confirmed allocation for a specific plot.
It is important for me to start thinking early about a potential building plot – with all the pros and cons...
our municipality will soon be selling building plots in a new development area. We are currently trying to select the "best" plots... I know, that sounds very optimistic... but in the application we have to name 5 building plots that would be suitable for us.
Of course, the plots at the edges with an unobstructed view of fields and vineyards are the most sought after. Below I have attached a screenshot showing the 2 (in my opinion) best plots (the plan is oriented north). We would like to take advantage of the beautiful view and install a large window front (a kind of glass façade) on the west side. On the south side, we want a lift-and-slide door (about 400cm x 250cm (13 feet x 8 feet 2 inches)) – marked in red on the picture. The distance to the property boundary would be only about 5.5m (18 feet).
The house should be an Energy Efficiency House 40 (Effizienzhaus 40). My husband is a bit skeptical about the glazing on the west side. He thinks the window front should be on the south side – but there we would not have a free view...
There are also 3 plots with neighbors on the south side. The problem there is that the house would be positioned a bit lower and the free view would be about 1.5 to 2m (5 to 6.5 feet) above the single-family house. So, you would have to look upwards or plan the living room on the first floor.
What do you think? Would having the glazing on the west side be a deal breaker for an Energy Efficiency House 40? Textile sunshades are planned.
We intend to consult an energy advisor only after we have a confirmed allocation for a specific plot.
It is important for me to start thinking early about a potential building plot – with all the pros and cons...
A
Alessandro17 Feb 2021 15:42A large window front facing south means, for me, either unbearable heat in summer or constant shading. I prefer the west side.
We have a lot of glass facing south and additionally a large west-facing window in the living room measuring 2.4 x 1.8 meters (8 x 6 feet). When the sun is out, the south side is currently problematic, but the west side is a dream... in summer, it’s the other way around :-) Either way, with large window areas, you will need external sun protection (roof overhang, recessed building design, external blinds, or similar). Make it dependent on the view and your preferred plot – it might be that an external blind will be needed in summer. But probably only from late afternoon, since your orientation is somewhat towards the north. Until then, everything is fine, and during the other three seasons it’s no problem at all.
Good luck with the plot!
Good luck with the plot!
M
Muldenboy17 Feb 2021 16:46We have planned a lift-and-slide door measuring 3010 x 2510 mm (118 x 99 inches) facing southwest in the kitchen, and next to it, offset under a cantilevered overhang (1.50 m (5 feet) deep), another lift-and-slide door measuring 6260 x 2510 mm (246 x 99 inches). Of course, there will be additional shading (external blinds, curtains) and solar control glass. We are building to KfW40+ standard.
In the end, it also depends on your preference. As I understand it, the energy consultant calculates the house as a complete package anyway. Therefore, I would not base my decision solely on that. Both options would certainly be possible, possibly with different costs.
In the end, it also depends on your preference. As I understand it, the energy consultant calculates the house as a complete package anyway. Therefore, I would not base my decision solely on that. Both options would certainly be possible, possibly with different costs.
Thank you for your feedback.
It seems quite feasible to place the large window front on the west side. Of course, good sun protection is important.
As you have already noticed, the west side even tilts slightly towards the north. That is exactly the problem… My husband is concerned that this side might cool down too much in winter, which would make it impossible to meet KfW40 standards. Obviously, everything must be calculated holistically, and only an energy consultant can provide a definitive assessment.
It’s simply a consideration of whether these plots are suitable at all, or if we should rather apply for a building site that faces directly south, although that wouldn’t offer such a nice view…
It seems quite feasible to place the large window front on the west side. Of course, good sun protection is important.
As you have already noticed, the west side even tilts slightly towards the north. That is exactly the problem… My husband is concerned that this side might cool down too much in winter, which would make it impossible to meet KfW40 standards. Obviously, everything must be calculated holistically, and only an energy consultant can provide a definitive assessment.
It’s simply a consideration of whether these plots are suitable at all, or if we should rather apply for a building site that faces directly south, although that wouldn’t offer such a nice view…
M
Muldenboy17 Feb 2021 19:11I still don’t understand what solar radiation has to do with a KfW40 house.
You have to meet specific requirements. In the end, it doesn’t matter how much sunlight there is. The north side usually receives much less sun anyway. According to your husband’s logic, there shouldn’t be any KfW40 houses at all.
You design the house as you want, and then the energy consultant determines what is necessary to meet the standard—insulation, masonry, type of windows, etc. On top of that, controlled ventilation, an air-source heat pump, photovoltaic panels with a battery storage system, and that’s it.
At least, that’s how it was for us.
You have to meet specific requirements. In the end, it doesn’t matter how much sunlight there is. The north side usually receives much less sun anyway. According to your husband’s logic, there shouldn’t be any KfW40 houses at all.
You design the house as you want, and then the energy consultant determines what is necessary to meet the standard—insulation, masonry, type of windows, etc. On top of that, controlled ventilation, an air-source heat pump, photovoltaic panels with a battery storage system, and that’s it.
At least, that’s how it was for us.
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