South facing garden..

[M1cha3la]

I am sure this has been asked before, apologies if it has..

 

So DH have just been debating gardens. In the UK south facing is obviously preferable if you like the sun. It was what we had to compromise on when buying our current house. I hate it. So I passed a comment that when we buy in Oz a south facing garden is a must. DH then was like don't be stupid, you're the opposite side of the world, its reverse, you will need a north facing garden.... Really? :err:

 

Those in Oz, which is the best to maximise the sun?

 

xx

[vickyplum]

Yes that's right I believe. So like the seasons are the "other way around". The sun falls on the equator, which is South from the UK but North from Australia. So the sun comes from the south in the UK primarily and from the North in Australia.

 

But then presumably East or West facing would be good for morning or evening sun (I can never remember which is which. But same theory in Oz but just reverse them) -- as it is in the UK.

 

I had to think about this for a bit!!

[wakeboard1980]

North facing backyard. Or like my mum and dad did when they built a west facing backyard with all the bedrooms with the big windows facing east, that way they cooled down in the afternoon so weren't hot trying to sleep.

[M1cha3la]

Yes that's right I believe. So like the seasons are the "other way around". The sun falls on the equator, which is South from the UK but North from Australia. So the sun comes from the south in the UK primarily and from the North in Australia.

 

But then presumably East or West facing would be good for morning or evening sun (I can never remember which is which. But same theory in Oz but just reverse them) -- as it is in the UK.

 

I had to think about this for a bit!!

 

Its funny really as I have just always taken these things for granted and not really thought about them. It makes sense though. Now all I can think about is the Simpsons episode when they went to Oz and Homer was fascinated that the water flushed the opposite way :twitcy:

[M1cha3la]

North facing backyard. Or like my mum and dad did when they built a west facing backyard with all the bedrooms with the big windows facing east, that way they cooled down in the afternoon so weren't hot trying to sleep.

 

Thats a really good idea :yes: We are hoping to have a house built, so will bare that in mind :wubclub:

[vickyplum]

To be fair, I think it's something we don't usually need to bother thinking about!

I suppose there are other "odd" things that we will only find out when we move...

[Guest]

A sustainable or solar passive house is built with the living areas facing North to make the most of the warming of the sun in winter - you need to have overhanging eaves to protect from the sun in summer (which is higher in the sky).

 

Whether that is back or front obviously depends on the block and the design of the house - certainly where we lived people used their front gardens as much as their back for socialising, depending on whether they wanted sun or shade - one of our neighbours even had their pool in the front & a lot of the federation style houses were set back with much larger gardens at the front.

 

I would tend to say you would still want a south facing garden in Oz to avoid the scorching affects of the sun on plants and people and then in the evening the sun will be at the back anyway to warm you as the day cools (I think!)

[wakeboard1980]

Thats a really good idea :yes: We are hoping to have a house built, so will bare that in mind :wubclub:

If you are buying in a hilly sor of area I would recommend buying a house that is on the high side of neighbours so that the front of your house is on the high side. That way any rainfall will go down the council drains on the road and you then won't have e worry of rainfall draining from your neighbours back yard into yours.

[Skani]

Those in Oz, which is the best to maximise the sun?

 

xx

 

North, as has been said.

But what you need will depend on the climate of your location in Oz. If you settle in a hot climate area you may want south facing garden areas for much needed shade.

[ramot]

We have a south facing back garden, and live next to a lake on the Sunshine Coast QLD. Mostly the neighbours on the opposite side are never seen in the garden/pool during the day in summer. It's just too hot especially with the reflection off the water, whereas we have shade our side and it's noticeably cooler.

However!!! Our back garden feels at least 10' colder in winter in comparison to the front north facing garden, and the main living area is at the back and can feel very cold, especially in the evening, but as winter doesn't last much more than 6 weeks'sh, a south facing garden means we spend lots of time comfortably outside.

It will depend probably on where you want to settle, but a large covered outside sitting entertainment area is a real bonus in QLD, and most take full advantage of the climate that way.

[wolvesaussie]

A sustainable or solar passive house is built with the living areas facing North to make the most of the warming of the sun in winter - you need to have overhanging eaves to protect from the sun in summer (which is higher in the sky).

QUOTE]

 

One thing I have noticed since returning to Australia as new houses dont seem to be built with an overhanging roof, if used to be standard design but the new estates dont have them and I think it looks strange.