A south-facing yard will have sun all day, a north-facing one much less, or perhaps none in winter. Sunny gardens are usually more desirable, but shade does have its advantages. These gardens are cooler, have a more humid microclimate, and are less prone to drought.
Many people will consider that facing north has the most impact with direct sunlight. However, the ideal direction for your yard to face is west due to the afternoon sunlight having more impact on the dwelling.
1. West-facing houses are considered to have better heating and cooling than east-facing houses. 2. West-facing homes get less sunlight than those located in the north and south-east. This makes them ideal for those who wish to reduce their exposure to harmful sun rays. 3.
Advantages of your west-facing garden
As the sun sets later in the west, you can enjoy barbeques, and drinks on the patio, or simply relax in the warm glow for hours longer than with an east-facing garden. This extended window of pleasant outdoor time is a key advantage of a west-facing garden.
For most homes in the United States, that means South-facing homes receive the most light throughout the day through their front windows. “In general, the South side of a home will receive the greatest direct sunlight and for the longest time each day,” Kenin says.
Conventional wisdom decrees that a South-facing home brings nothing but bad luck to its residents.
One study compared people who slept in an east-west direction versus north-south direction. After a period of three months, those who slept in the north-south orientation had lower blood pressure, better sleep quality, and longer sleep overall.
Yards that face south in the Northern hemisphere get full sun, making them highly desirable for gardening and landscaping.
To maximize the benefits of solar energy, buildings are usually oriented to face south in northern hemispheres and to face north in southern hemispheres. This orientation allows for maximum solar gain in the winter when the sun is low in the sky.
For most people, if their patio isn't located on the north side, then the east is the next best thing. Even on many summer days the cooler morning sun is a welcome visitor and you'll get protection from the sun in the hotter part of the day.
According to Vaastu Shastra, an east-facing home brings wealth and prosperity to the occupants. The main reason behind this is that the east direction is associated with the planet Sun, which is said to be the source of all life and energy.
The healthiest direction to sleep is typically considered to be east or south. East is said to promote intellectual effectiveness and south is believed to enhance quality of sleep.
In other cultures, there are many benefits to west-facing houses. There is a traditional home design philosophy in Japan that says west-facing homes exude a sense of youth and cheerfulness. In China, the famous Feng Shui states that you should associate yourself with the metal elements if you have a west-facing house.
According to Vastu Shastra, the best direction for a house to face is east, as it brings positive energy and good health. North-facing houses are also good, bringing prosperity and career growth.
South-facing and east-facing houses get the most sunlight.
It's also important to note that, because the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, an east-facing home will receive the most morning sun and a west-facing house will get more afternoon sun.
Well, the direction your house is facing can make a significant difference in the amount of sunlight your home receives throughout the day. For homes in the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing homes usually receive abundant sunlight throughout the day.
More often than not, homeowners are looking for spaces with lots of natural light, says Trapasso, which is what makes South-facing homes so desirable. “Southern exposure typically provides the brightest, all-day, natural light compared to a softer, more indirect (and often darker) north-facing light,” she explains.
Ideal Room Temperature
The average set temperature is 68 degrees in the summer and 70 in the winter. The ideal temperature changes during the nighttime. Experts say that for a healthy adult the thermostat should stay around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they do offer the range of 60 to 67 degrees for optimal sleep.
Simply observing how much sun your yard receives gives an idea of its orientation. To work it out accurately, use a compass. Stand with your back to your house wall—the reading from here shows the direction the yard faces. South-facing yards get the most sun, north-facing sites the least.
You'll receive more sunshine with a south-facing garden
As the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, the south side of any house will see the most hours of sunlight during the day. They also provide great conditions for drying washing, and you may benefit from a cleaner patio, as sunshine dries moisture fast.
If you're facing south, you don't need to worry—that spot will get direct sun all day, provided there aren't too many trees around.
Scientific Research
Although there are a limited number of studies on this topic, recent research has shown that sleeping with your head to the south may promote better sleep, heart health, and mental health.
Another important Feng Shui rule is to place your bed diagonally so you can still see your door, but you're not right in front of it. “In Feng Shui, the direct line of sight between the door and the bed is known as the 'Death Position' because it's believed to create vulnerability and restlessness.”
Ideally, feng shui best practices suggest positioning your bed in a way so that your head faces south and you can see the door while lying down to maintain a sense of security and control.