What direction is best?

[aka estie]

I am looking for a new apartment. I saw two today in the same building. One faces north, and the other faces south. In terms of temperature within the apartment and amount of daylight, which would be better, and why? I live at about 40 degrees latitude, if that makes a difference :)

[buildersmate]

The one that faces south will get more sunlight through the windows and hence will have a higher natural thermal gain than the one that faces north. Assuming we are talking northern hemisphere.

[smurfchops]

SOUTH every time

[Ethel]

Unless you live in front of the tv or computer - then your curtains will be drawn all day so that you can see the screen.

:)

[WendyS]

I'd unhesitatingly opt for the south facing one. You will get sunlight for much of the day which will give your flat a bright cheerful enviroment. It may get rather warm in summer but you can always close the curtains to shut out the sun. But if you face north you will never get the sun into your rooms and I imagine that would be unbearably depressing, especially in winter when the daylight level is low anyway.

[aka estie]

Thanks everyone. That's what I suspected. Will go for the south-facing one and invest in some good window treatments!