Seattle Home - Which is best? East Facing or West Facing? (house, buying)

[Sapra]

I found house in Seattle with the front and garage doors are west facing and the backyard is in the east side of the house. The Kitchen and living rooms are east facing where the backyard is.

I also have a house available which is just opposite to the first one, front and garage doors are east facing and the backyard is in the west side of the house.

Taking the Seattle weather into consideration, which one will be the best option?

[Inkpoe]

West facing maximizes the light.

[AlohaHuey]

Take the one you like best. Where it faces, unless you have a view, isn't that important.

[Hemlock140]

The only weather related issues is wind driving hard rain, which would most often come from the east, but is rare. For example we had some in the last couple of days. Even then because of the mountains and water storm direction changes frequently around here so I'd forget about that and just consider other pros and cons in deciding which house.

If you have any plan to grow a vegetable garden or sunbath in summer, then the orientation of the back yard may be important, so what little sun we get is maximized and nor blocked by trees.

[seattlenextyear]

We didn't think about this before buying our house, but I really enjoy that our living room faces south and gets plenty of light. The tv room and bedroom face north which is great for sleeping in in the summer.

Having a west facing backyard will maximize gardening light, and you'll be able to sit outside longer.

[vandygirl]

West facing is always better up here because it allows for more natural light. If you are stuck with an east facing backyard, try getting a permit to trim the trees back so you get more light.

[swerver]

Originally Posted by vandygirl

West facing is always better up here because it allows for more natural light.

Why does a west facing backyard allow more natural light? Wouldn't it just be that you get more light in the evening, while east facing gets more light in the morning? Assuming the main living area of the house (family room, kitchen) is in the back of the house, like it seems most are.

To me, it seems like a south facing backyard would get you the most light, particularly year round, since the sun is so low in the winter. I do like this topic though, let's hear some more.

Now a north facing backyard, there you are really stuck.

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by swerver

Why does a west facing backyard allow more natural light? Wouldn't it just be that you get more light in the evening, while east facing gets more light in the morning? Assuming the main living area of the house (family room, kitchen) is in the back of the house, like it seems most are.

To me, it seems like a south facing backyard would get you the most light, particularly year round, since the sun is so low in the winter. I do like this topic though, let's hear some more.

Now a north facing backyard, there you are really stuck.

Afernoon sun is the brightest, it seems. Plus around here, when the sun does come out, it's after the morning clouds have lifted.

[Inkpoe]

Also during the summer, it's the side longest exposed. My room faced West and during summer, the light was bright til 9pm. It was also the hottest room in the house.

[Bill Loney]

West is best. East is least.