Shading and Wind Direction

It is important that when considering building a new home or renovation that you consider shading from neighbouring properties, the landscape or vegetation and the prevailing wind direction.

If you are buying a new section it is essential that you consider this while considering section size, aspect and your proposed house. A narrow north-south oriented section may be shaded by neighbours and not enable you to orientate the house to have a suitable north facing living space.

As well as identifying shade it is also essential to use it in certain ways to help keep your house at an appropriate temperature. Avoid overheating by letting in too much sun on a hot summer’s day. Using overhangs or louvers is a suitable way to do this. Give it some thought!

In this diagram the extended eaves keep out the mid day sun in the summer to prevent overheating, while allowing the midday sun in the winter to access the home.

Remember that shade is longer in the winter than summer.

Thinking about how wind will affect your home is also important. You want to avoid the prevailing wind but also use the breeze to cool the home. Ideally you will orientate your home to avoid the strongest and coolest winds but use the mild breeze to cool the home in summer.

To achieve this involves the correct orientation of the house, incorporating appropriate design features, (windows or ventilation) and using landscaping and vegetation.

Some things for you to consider are

• The prevailing wind direction
• Seasonal and daily variations in the wind (onshore and offshore breezes)
• Any impact of other buildings or the terrain (funneling)

A few simple changes to the aspect will ensure that you maximise the benefit of the wind and reduce its impact (as appropriate).