West facing or North facing backyard in Seattle area? (Sammamish: buying a home, buying)

[deepa.doshi]

Hi there,
We are considering buying a home in Sammamish and have an option of west facing backyard (front door faces East) or North facing backyard (front door faces South). The home has large windows of the family room in the back. The family room, kitchen and master bedroom fall at the back of the home.

Given the few sunny days we have, I am tempted to go for the West facing backyard, but am worried of having very hot days in summer.
Similarly I am worried of not getting enough sunlight in the North facing backyard home.

Any suggestions/opinions?

Thanks

[Hemlock140]

We are in the same city, and our windows face south. If the summers stay like this year it will not be an issue. We have a window A/C that I normally put up in early July, this year I never did install it and have not needed it as it's not been above 80 more than 2-3 days. Also look at the trees (we have 100' firs that shade parts of the house) and possible views of the water, mountains, or Snoqualmie valley.

[texastrigirl]

We have a west facing front door with a lot of windows on both levels. We have been here 4 years and there have been a few days in past years where the house warmed up. But for the most part, it's never been a big issue. Go toward the light. That's key to living here. Plus, you can always add a whole house fan down the road if you feel like it's getting to hot in the summers. You can't however change the orientation of your house

[Ira500]

I've got a west facing backyard. It's great for gardening. and getting light into a house is a very good thing in the Seattle area. Very hot is something we don't get here all that often. If it gets too hot, move to a cooler room in the house.

[deepa.doshi]

Thanks for the replies. Do you think the North backyard home will have a light problem in the kitchen/family areas? We prefer this home for some other reasons, but don't want the main areas of the home to be depressing because of less light.

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by deepa.doshi

Thanks for the replies. Do you think the North backyard home will have a light problem in the kitchen/family areas? We prefer this home for some other reasons, but don't want the main areas of the home to be depressing because of less light.

Can you make visits to the north facing house at various times of day, to see for yourself whether those rooms get good light? It might be harder to do if the place is currently occupied or rented out. It's best to do on a cloudy day, but we haven't seen a lot of those lately.

[Vinylly]

I would recomend the West facing house. We've always lived in a West facing house and we really enjoy the garden on the East side of the house where we get the morning sun in our kitchen, breakfast nook, dining room and patio. In the afternoon the East side of the house is always cool and in the shade, which makes it also enjoyable as when the sun is in the West, it can be hot and 'glaring' specially if it is reflected off the Sound, or the Lake, whichever you happen to be located.

[Jalhop]

Originally Posted by Ira500

I've got a west facing backyard. It's great for gardening. and getting light into a house is a very good thing in the Seattle area. Very hot is something we don't get here all that often. If it gets too hot, move to a cooler room in the house.

Or open all the windows. I've got a west-facing backyard and like it. Opening the windows including the sliding door cools the house to the perfect temp in this summer. A whole-house fan can help in the worst cases.