We have decided we will look to install the South facing (172deg) windows first on the house renovation project as we will make some small tweaks to opening sizes before we go for a cavity bead installation.

We have a very good view of the sea from this elevation so need to weigh up views against energy efficiency but there's more to a building than U-Values after all..

My understanding is try to limit windows to no more than 25% of wall area on South facing elevations?

Is there any best practice on how high the head of windows should be? Our ceiling height is a standard 2400mm and the existing windows are 400mm below ceiling level. We will be installing a larger cavity lintel to have one larger window compared to the 2 windows in each room. We can raise the height to maximise daylight - is there a preferred standard/height?

We are also undecided if we are going to EWI or just go with cavity bead fill so that will determine where we mount the frames.

And age old question so we can get some prices together - 2G or 3G...

EWI & Cavity bead fill are not either/or choices; you can fill the cavity without EWI, but not the other way around.

The alternative it Internal insulation, which can be applied to a cavity wall with a lot of caveats - the main one being that the cavity is not filled and the cavity is adequately ventilated.

Also, as we progress to ever hotter summers, shading windows or reducing glazing size will become far more important than the view, nice as may be.

We have quite a nice view out of our front south-facing rooms with large windows but can only appreciate this in the winter - in Summer these rooms are kept shut for the majority of the day and we hide in the back of the house to escape the heat. Shading and reducing window size is a priority - as soon as I finish all the other works...

This website might be useful too: https://www.susdesign.com/tools.php

<blockquote><cite>Posted By: Doubting_Thomas</cite>This website might be useful too:<a href="https://www.susdesign.com/tools.php" rel="nofollow">https://www.susdesign.com/tools.php</a></blockquote>

I stumbled across this 2 weeks ago, very interesting site. I guess it's difficult for us as at this point as the house is currently uninsulated on the walls and windows are 20+ years old. I'd imagine with insulation and more modern windows the house probably will overheat so this will come in handy at a later point.

What is the best method of solar shading to use that is not too intrusive?

Thanks

Posted By: VictorianecoWhat is the best method of solar shading to use that is not too intrusive?

All depends on your definition of obtrusive. We've just invested in an external pergola outside our South Facing patio door. It has a retractable fabric that we slide out on hot days and retract on windy days. This provides 3m deep shading above the glazing, doesn't block the view and doubles as a shady place to sit in the garden.

On the down side there are now 4 vertical posts sitting on the patio on a 3m grid. That might be an issue depending on your space availability and access needs etc.

£300 from your local Swedish big box store, I can provide more details if you want.

And deciduous trees whilst they work take time to work (typically years) unless money is no object and you can afford to transplant a fully grown one.

I planted a small grove of Silver Birch in autumn 2014 as 60-80cm bareroot whips, (less than £1.00 each) and within 3 to 4 years they were taller than me, now over 12 foot tall. A few Bird Cherry planted with them the following year doing equally as well. They now provide summer shade to our west facing windows in the farmhouse. They start at about 4m away from that end of the house. I do acknowledge that we have more space to use than many folks though.

Posted By: Mike1grow something up a pergola

Old mans beard - up and over in a year!

True - a great way to design say a double garage built into the hillside - soon completely invisible!