Daylight through North East Facing Windows

Sincher

We have recently bought a house and we intend on carrying out some alterations. The rear of the house is L Shaped with one elevation facing East and the other facing North.

Our architect has advised us to open up the back of the house and create a link to the garden with the intention of installing around 5 metres of floor to ceiling glass facing East and North (2.5m on facing East and 2.5m facing North). The glass wall would link the Dining Room, Kitchen and Sunroom to an external patio.

We know we will only get sunlight in the morning and by mid day the direct sunlight will be around the side of the house, so our main queries are:

1. Will the windows let daylight into the Dining/Kitchen/Sunroom (Sunroom has East and South facing windows).

2. Will the rooms feel cold and dark (despite the amount of glass)

3. Anyone else have any other experiences/tips for North/East facing elevations

Lumen

There's a big difference in illumination between direct and indirect sunlight (ambient light)...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lux

...but the human eye is conveniently equipped with an iris to compensate, and the way that the space feels depends on expectations, e.g. TV studio has much lower illumination than a cloudy day but feels much brighter because it's indoors.

I have three bathrooms facing NNW and they never get direct sunshine through the windows, but they are bright.

Sincher

Lumen wrote: »

There's a big difference in illumination between direct and indirect sunlight (ambient light)...



...but the human eye is conveniently equipped with an iris to compensate, and the way that the space feels depends on expectations, e.g. TV studio has much lower illumination than a cloudy day but feels much brighter because it's indoors.

I have three bathrooms facing NNW and they never get direct sunshine through the windows, but they are bright.

Hi Lumen,

Thanks for that. Our main aim would be to create the illusion of space and light. We are not particularly bothered by direct sunlight anyways, but we dont want to expend thousands of Euros on glass that does not improve the daylight in the space.

Calahonda52

You may well have an illusion of space and light but your energy bills will not be an illusion.
12 sq m of East and North glazing is crazy stuff, not to mind the structural/thermal bringing issues at the corner.

The loss of useful was space is also a consideration, as for a patio with that aspect, fine for letting out the dog...

maybe something like this high up
https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/8a81fdc00d2e92e0_4-3520/modern-bedroom.jpg

Sincher

Calahonda52 wrote: »

You may well have an illusion of space and light but your energy bills will not be an illusion.
12 sq m of East and North glazing is crazy stuff, not to mind the structural/thermal bringing issues at the corner.

The loss of useful was space is also a consideration, as for a patio with that aspect, fine for letting out the dog...

maybe something like this high up

Yes all things to consider. However not really bothered about energy consumption. Also, in relation to the thermal bridging at the corners, surely this makes no difference if the windows are facing North or South, same issues apply?

In relation to the loss of usable space, at the moment this area is just block wall and will not be used for any storage as everything is on the opposite walls. So the thinking being that we take down these walls and let daylight in, But would they let daylight in? Would the rooms seem brighter? Would the cost of the glass be worth it? Would we be just looking out into a shadowy garden with no sense of openness or space?

I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts who have this set-up, there must be someone!

BryanF

Sincher wrote: »

Yes all things to consider.
1. However not really bothered about energy consumption. Also, in relation to

2. the thermal bridging at the corners, surely this makes no difference if the windows are facing North or South, same issues apply?

3. In relation to the loss of usable space, at the moment this area is just block wall and will not be used for any storage as everything is on the opposite walls. So the thinking being that we take down these walls and let daylight in, But would they let daylight in?

4. Would the rooms seem brighter?

5. Would the cost of the glass be worth it?

6. Would we be just looking out into a shadowy garden with no sense of openness or space?

7. I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts who have this set-up, there must be someone!

1. Shame on you.
2. True. But just be sure you are taking about thermal bridging? It is tricky to detail larger doors/screens floor to ceiling in an existing house. Heat loss of east & north Won’t offer the solar gain of southern windows
3. Yes
4. Yes
5. That’s a mater of opinion. I’ve spent ~8k on a floor to ceiling glass slider ~11m2.
5. I’m happy with mine.
6. Yes. Could you try to focus the questions a little bit?

BryanF

Worth pointing out that with large areas of glazing you must follow the guidance in part L For Permitted variation in combined areas and
average U-values external doors/win/roof-lights