If you’re in the process of building a new home or renovating your current living space, you know that there are seemingly endless decisions to be made. For example, when it comes to windows for your new space, you will be bombarded with your choice of different window types, quality, glass selection and treatments.

Windows bring in natural light and give you a view of the outdoors. But where do you place them to maximize that view, help keep your home comfortable, and maintain your curb appeal? Natural light can enhance and completely change the atmosphere in a room. Windows are one of the best ways to add natural light to your home and also give you a view of the outside. When it comes to designing a custom home, where you put the windows makes a big difference. Here are some tips for planning window placement in your custom home:

Windows play a critical role in a home’s design and function. High-quality windows can help you achieve three objectives: enhancing curb appeal; creating a seamless transition between the indoors and outdoors; and protecting your home from the elements while allowing light and air inside your home.

The question of window placement comes up constantly during the design of a major remodel or addition. If you're planning to do either of the above, or are in the process of designing a new home, you should get familiar with the basics of window placement. Because windows are expensive to move or add later if you get it wrong.

In this short article, I'll try to shed some light on the window placement concept. Let's jump in!

Why Does Window Placement Matter? 

Window placement matters for a variety of reasons. Careful placement of windows, in an effort to protect them from sun and wind, can reduce this energy waste. Windows and doors placed on the east or west can waste twice as much energy as those placed to the north or south. It is best to orient the house with the longest walls facing north and south.

• Energy efficiency

By carefully planning where to install your windows you can bring sunlight and heat into a home during winter, protect your home from direct heat and more.

• Style and appearance

Your choice of window placement will help determine the style and the appearance of your home.

• Bring the outdoors in

Windows allow homeowners to bring the outside in and create connection to the world around us. Embrace window placement that makes you feel more connected to your yard or neighborhood.

Choose whether landscape or portrait - 

Most homes benefit from having most windows oriented vertically or horizontally (like a portrait- or a landscape-style photograph). Portrait orientation is often the best choice for traditional homes with a second floor and a gabled roof. Landscape-orientation can work well with low-slung house styles. The important thing is to choose one orientation or another and stick with it. Although you want your window placement to look good on the exterior of your home, you also want to make sure it works well for the interior as well. 

Decide How Much light you want - 

Some enjoy bright rooms full of natural light while others prefer a little less. Depending on your preference, the number of windows, types of windows, and placement of windows will vary.

Window treatments can help you control how much light comes through the windows, but preference will play a big part in the placement. Whenever possible, try to align all the windows on a wall both horizontally and vertically. The number, type, style, size, etc. of windows will vary from room to room. The same is true for the best placement. Planning window placement should take into account the position of your home on the lot, the position of the room in the design, where light is coming from and when, your preferences, where you think you will be placing furniture, and more.

Does It suit your interior? -

Whenever possible, try to align all the windows on a wall both horizontally and vertically. For instance, the windows on your second floor should mostly be aligned with the ones on the first floor. If the top or side edges are floating, unaligned with each other, your home won't have a pleasing look. The pattern of the windows on the sides of your home does not necessarily need to match the ones on the front. You can vary the styles of windows on the other areas of your exterior. Elevate the look of your windows with stylish grille patterns and trims.

You have to weigh aesthetics with comfort and practicality here. As mentioned above, you should be conscious about the orientation of your home to the sun.

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Pleasing Proportion - No doubt your home will have windows of various sizes. Some will be large and some small. But each window will have a unique height versus width ratio. Note that some rooms require windows and others don’t. A utility room, mudroom, or laundry room may not necessarily have to have a window per building codes. However, you don’t want to forget about them when it comes to window placement in your custom home. A home with a mishmash of tall skinny windows and short, squat ones may look unbalanced. This is especially true for traditional architectural styles. More modern or contemporary styles can often get away with more of a mix.

Select the Appropriate Window Shape - 

Most homes feature rectangular windows exclusively. It's a safe way to tie your facade together. Outside of specific room requirements or guidelines, one of the biggest tips when it comes to planning window placement for big windows is to make sure they have a good view. If you crave a bolder, more visually interesting look, you can incorporate a less conventional window shape, like an oval or curved-head design. If you do so, try to limit it to one non-conventional shape. Too many shapes can give your facade a disjointed look.

The Window Direction - Use energy-efficient windows to control the amount of natural light into the house. A north-facing window receives less natural light in most parts of the year. That is during autumn, winter, and spring except for the summer. Thus it is better to install smaller west-facing windows but also keep ventilation in mind. Good house and window orientation increases the energy efficiency of a home, making it more comfortable to live in and cheaper to run. The most important orientation aspect to consider is the direction your house and windows face and their solar access. To make the most of the sun for warmth and natural light, your home's main living areas (or any rooms you use a lot) should face north. This means that north is the best direction for windows to face in order to maximize their heat gain in winter and minimize their heat gain in summer. A north-facing window will be facing the low midday sun in winter, so that heat and light can come in to warm your rooms.

One of the biggest tips for planning window placement in your custom home is to work with an experienced custom home builder, especially one with an in-house design/build process. They’ll be able to take your ideas and what you want, present the best options, help you narrow it down to what works, and also make sure you end up with the right placement and installation of windows in your home.

These are just some tips for planning window placement in your custom home to inspire you. Your builder will be an excellent resource in helping you determine the best positioning for your custom home and window placement for the style and design you are going for.