When you hire custom home builders, a significant decision you have to make is the orientation of your home. Deciding which direction the front of your home will face on your property of land isn’t an easy decision to make. It’s not only about what is aesthetically pleasing; you should also consider privacy and comfort.

Why You Should Consider Energy Efficiency

Where the sun rises and sets from, as well as its position during the warmest hours of the day, will all influence your utility bills. Your custom home builders can position your home to take advantage of passive solar energy. This strategy means you will save on utility costs by placing windows for sunlight to help keep your home warm during the winter and cool during the summer.

The specifications of your home’s orientation depend on a wide variety of factors. But there are a few general practices you can use to take advantage of passive solar energy. For example, south-facing windows let in the most sunlight, so you should cover them in the summer and keep them open in the winter.

Leveraging the natural landscape and terrain of the property can also work in your favor and help the energy efficiency of your home. For example, there might be a tree nearby that offers shade during the warmer months but sun exposure in the winter once the branches are bare.

How Orientation Influences Privacy

Another factor to consider before making a final decision with your custom home builders is privacy and security. Most people want a level of privacy from their neighbors, and the orientation of your home affects which areas of the house are most visible.

Similarly, window placement, as well as porch placement, affects your view. You should decide on what vista you prefer when looking outside of your home.

The Curb Appeal Of House Orientation

What’s the first aspect you want people to see when they pull up to your home? When coming down your driveway, a person will meet with the front, side, or back of your home. There is no right or wrong orientation. Sometimes, a home facing toward the street is perfect for curb appeal, but bad for privacy and energy efficiency.

If you need help choosing the orientation of your home, call Johnson Imperial Homes in Hastings, NE, today. These custom home builders have more than five decades of experience providing quality custom residential building services to the area. They also specialize in land preparation and development, so they will help you work through every factor in deciding your custom home orientation. Give them a call today at (402) 461-4100 for a consultation or visit their website to learn more about their services.