There is a great deal of construction, of brand new homes, in my city. It doesn't matter what contractor is building them, or what part of town they are in, they all have one thing in common:
They all have a ridiculously small number of windows.
If you look at older homes, I'd say almost every room has at least one window. Two per room seems average for an older home.
These new homes, are often lacking a single window, in one, or more, entire exterior wall! It doesn't seem to matter if the house is big or small, they still lack windows. Not only does it look unappealing to the eye outdoors, but how are these homes supposed to get natural light or fresh air inside?
I suspect this trend is happening for two possible reasons: energy efficiency and construction cost.
In cases where energy efficiency is the *only* factor for having a lack of windows, why not simply build using energy efficient windows?
I hate new houses. They are so windowless, they might as well be tombs. Yuck.
2006-10-09 10:43:10 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
As an Energy Efficiency inspector I can tell you that windows are the largest source of energy loss in a home.
Beyond the energy aspect, There are a number of laws requiring windows of certain sizes and heights depending on the usage of the space. A kitchen for instance is not generally required to have any windows, same goes for laundry room and bathrooms. Rooms that are required to have windows are bedrooms and living spaces (such as living room, family room) and basements with bedrooms or "living spaces" in them. The purpose of this is egress... so you can get out if there is a fire.
I don't doubt if it seems like there are less windows but I can guarantee you there are just as many as before... its the law.
2006-10-09 10:55:54 · answer #1 · answered by wizardslizards 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its not energy efficiency as much as cost. Siding is cheaper. :-).
That said, I had a newer house (built in 04) that had one whole side of the house (2 story) with no windows. HOWEVER, it was still one of the lightest, brightest houses I've ever lived/been in. The downstarirs with the one long wall with no windows was a combo dining/formal living room-- and on the short walls in front and back, there were big windows. It was nice, becuase the long wall was left open for furniture. Upstairs, it was the master bedroom-- which had a bay type window in front. We wouldn't have wanted windows on the other wall that time either-- that's where our bed went.
So, without being inside, you cant figure that they are windowless tombs. A FEW strategically placed windows give more light than a lot of randomness. 2 story foyers with one medium sized window up high makes a HUGE diffeernce.
The house i live in now has more windows and less light. Go figure.
2006-10-09 18:05:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Besides a pretty view to look at windows used to be placed in houses in specific places to provide light to the house. This of course was done before electricity was invented or when it was not readily available to everyone. Now houses dont needs as many window to provide lights to the house because of electric lighting inside the house. If you want to have a house with more window you will have to buy an older house or design one on your own.
As for energy efficient window. They already to make energy effcient window.
2006-10-09 17:53:27 · answer #3 · answered by kimberleibenton 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should be asking a question - not giving a history of the houses and why you don't like them. But if you don't like them, then don't live in one. Maybe some people don't like cleaning windows. I live in a heritage house, with at least one window in every room, plus storm windows on every window. I'd give my eye teeth not to have to clean them - but that's the way the house was built a hundred years ago, and I can't change it and I don't want to move.
2006-10-09 17:53:47 · answer #4 · answered by theophilus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even the most energy efficient window will "leak" far more heat than even a poorly insulated wall.
2006-10-09 19:50:08 · answer #5 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely it's due to recent changes in construction codes. In L.A., only a certain percentage of outer walls are allowed to be windows. Some people opt to use most of that facing one side, depending on their view.
2006-10-09 17:52:20 · answer #6 · answered by boredperv 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is weird. Where I live, I am often thinking, man someone is going to have to spend a lot on special blinds or curtains because they have so many windows and they are odd sizes and shapes.
2006-10-09 17:51:13 · answer #7 · answered by jboatright57 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
new laws for desinging criteria:
its a complicated equation that only allows so much window per square foot.
2006-10-09 17:51:27 · answer #8 · answered by blair 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you hate them so much then I have an easy solution for you.
Don't live in one.
2006-10-09 17:46:05 · answer #9 · answered by Nobody You Know 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
i think its because there more energy efficient
2006-10-09 17:50:28 · answer #10 · answered by thatfatkid 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋