Clerestory window orientation

nitro-nige · 05-01-13, 12:14 AM

As part of a renovation/extension to our home we’re considering putting clerestory windows in an open plan kitchen/dining/family room. What we’re hoping to achieve is a solar chimney effect to help heat and cool the house. As well as add natural lighting to reduce the need to have lights on during the day.
The orientation of the house has the peak of the roof running north/south. So what I’m trying to figure out is should these windows face east to catch the morning sun, or west to catch the afternoon sun.

Can anyone enlighten me?

Mikesolar · 05-12-13, 06:17 AM

How about both E and W?

nibs · 05-13-13, 10:56 PM

We are doing the same thing, but our roof ridge is E-W, so the windows will face south.
Are the windows going on the south face of the house? If so it would not be all that hard (coulda done it easy when I was 40 or 50 yo) to just rework the roof. But even if they clerestory is in the center of the building you could put triangular windows on either side of the ridge, & open up the ceilings to suit. Could give a very interesting look to the house.
Tony

nitro-nige · 05-14-13, 12:39 AM

The room in question is on the East side, so it probably make sense to face them east and make use of the morning sun.
Having talked to a couple of builders I make look at a solar chimney instead.
That I could tackle myself without the need for building permits etc.

nibs · 05-14-13, 12:47 PM

Och I spent an hour last night designing the roof line for my idea..... Oh well not the first idea of mine that did not work out. <G>
Tony.

nitro-nige · 05-14-13, 09:20 PM

Any chance you could share your sketch?
My issue at the moment is when I talk to a builder about having something other than a flat ceiling in the extension they get all nervous and the price goes through the roof (no pun intended).
Lately I have been wondering if dormer windows could be designed to give a similar effect. This would remove the need to use what the builder would consider an odd roof truss. Then I could look to add them later.
The other comparison I've been trying to make is dormer vs clerestory vs skylight/solar tube.

05-01-13, 12:14 AM	#1
nitro-nige Lurking Renovator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Clerestory window orientation As part of a renovation/extension to our home we’re considering putting clerestory windows in an open plan kitchen/dining/family room. What we’re hoping to achieve is a solar chimney effect to help heat and cool the house. As well as add natural lighting to reduce the need to have lights on during the day. The orientation of the house has the peak of the roof running north/south. So what I’m trying to figure out is should these windows face east to catch the morning sun, or west to catch the afternoon sun. Can anyone enlighten me?

05-12-13, 06:17 AM	#2
Mikesolar Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 958 Thanks: 40 Thanked 158 Times in 150 Posts	How about both E and W?

05-13-13, 10:56 PM	#3
nibs Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 206 Thanks: 1 Thanked 18 Times in 17 Posts	We are doing the same thing, but our roof ridge is E-W, so the windows will face south. Are the windows going on the south face of the house? If so it would not be all that hard (coulda done it easy when I was 40 or 50 yo) to just rework the roof. But even if they clerestory is in the center of the building you could put triangular windows on either side of the ridge, & open up the ceilings to suit. Could give a very interesting look to the house. Tony

05-14-13, 12:39 AM	#4
nitro-nige Lurking Renovator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	The room in question is on the East side, so it probably make sense to face them east and make use of the morning sun. Having talked to a couple of builders I make look at a solar chimney instead. That I could tackle myself without the need for building permits etc.

05-14-13, 12:47 PM	#5
nibs Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 206 Thanks: 1 Thanked 18 Times in 17 Posts	Och I spent an hour last night designing the roof line for my idea..... Oh well not the first idea of mine that did not work out. <G> Tony.

05-14-13, 09:20 PM	#6
nitro-nige Lurking Renovator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Any chance you could share your sketch? My issue at the moment is when I talk to a builder about having something other than a flat ceiling in the extension they get all nervous and the price goes through the roof (no pun intended). Lately I have been wondering if dormer windows could be designed to give a similar effect. This would remove the need to use what the builder would consider an odd roof truss. Then I could look to add them later. The other comparison I've been trying to make is dormer vs clerestory vs skylight/solar tube.