ᐅ Is a semi-detached house facing southeast bright enough?

Created on: 22 Apr 2020 07:01
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Sunny68
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Sunny68
22 Apr 2020 07:01
Dear building experts and homeowners,

We have found a semi-detached house.
400 sqm (4306 sq ft) plot, large garden, garage, south-facing slope, three stories without a basement, 190 sqm (2045 sq ft) of living space with a pitched roof.
On the first floor, there is a 55 sqm (592 sq ft) open living-dining-kitchen area with direct access to the garden and south-facing terrace.
Additionally, we have a large covered east-facing terrace.

The living room has a 4-meter (13 ft) window front facing south and one window facing east.
The dining area has a door facing east.
The kitchen features one large window of 1.4 m (4.6 ft) and a smaller window of 70 cm (28 in) facing north.
Since it is the east semi-detached unit, there are no windows facing west.

My concern is that the afternoons and evenings may feel quite dark, as we will no longer have direct sunlight during that time.

Currently, the building is still in the shell stage. I believe that once everything is painted white and the flooring is chosen in a light color, it will feel brighter.

Has anyone here had experience with a semi-detached house with a southeast orientation? Could you help alleviate my concerns regarding brightness?
I would appreciate your feedback.

It should also be noted that there are very few properties available in the region where we are searching, and in terms of proximity to the city, we have really found a very good general location with regard to infrastructure, etc.
However, my concerns about the brightness are difficult to put aside.

Best regards,
Sunny68
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kbt09
22 Apr 2020 07:09
When I think about it, I would prefer southeast over southwest.

I have an apartment myself with windows facing south and east.

At least I get sunlight all year round until 4 pm (16:00). In the last hours, it comes as angled southwest sunlight. South-facing windows still receive some of it as well. In winter, the sun sets earlier anyway, and in summer it moves further west toward the northwest. In the house during summer (and not in winter), you won’t have direct sunlight anymore, but in the garden, which also faces south, you will still get some pleasant, slowly setting western sunlight.

If the apartment faced south and west, you would only get angled southeast sunlight for a short time starting late in the morning during winter, then some direct southern sunlight, and later after 3 pm (15:00) the angled southwest sunlight.
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Sunny68
22 Apr 2020 07:40
Thank you for the quick and factual response. Considering the differences in solar radiation during summer and winter, the location also has some positive aspects.
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Sunny68
22 Apr 2020 09:26
Perhaps someone here already lives in a southeast-facing semi-detached house and could share a few words to help clear up my remaining doubts about whether it is bright enough.
Thanks in advance.
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Bertram100
23 Apr 2020 07:21
I can report that my open-plan living area (apartment) has a floor-to-ceiling window on both the east and west sides, with a terrace on the east side. I find this very pleasant. I don’t get the impression that it’s “dark” when the sun isn’t shining directly inside. On the contrary, I’m glad the direct sun is gone at midday. The west sun provides nice light but can be a bit annoying because, except around noon, there isn’t any spot in the room without strong sunlight. Too much sunlight can also be bothersome. Objects fade, the guitar goes out of tune, and stored fruit spoils at a record pace.
I wouldn’t worry about it being too dark if you also have south-facing windows.
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Sunny68
23 Apr 2020 07:38
Thank you for your reply.
Yes, I appreciate the positive feedback, which encourages us in this project.