If you are contemplating building a new home, you likely have a budget to work with, and you have probably realized that windows cut into that budget quite a lot. As you calculate your costs, you may even find yourself asking – how many windows is too many?
There is No Magic Number
When building a new home, there is no magic number of windows you should install, per se, but builders do recommend each room of the house have at least one window. So, for example, a six-bedroom home should have a window in each bedroom, a window in the bathroom(s), one in the kitchen, one in the living room, and at least one in the basement.
Leaving rooms without windows makes them look small and closed off and keeps natural lighting out, making rooms less appealing. Windows are also necessary for home ventilation. Without a window, rooms have no fresh air circulation and are stuffy.
The number of windows you add to a home depends on the number of rooms in the house (as you can see from the example above.)
Windows And Home Temperature
It is also important to note that the number of windows in a home can affect the temperature of that home. For example, a home in colder climates with many windows will be much colder than one with fewer windows. Of course, the opposite is also true – homes in warm areas can quickly overheat during the summer if they have too many windows.
Windows and Practicality
Windows play a crucial role in room temperature, aeration, and light, but too many windows can be impractical. Think of a kitchen with too many windows – it has no space for cabinets meaning less storage. Of all the rooms in your home, the room that needs the most storage space is the kitchen, but now you have no space for those cabinets, and your kitchen becomes less practical.
Windows and Cost
Adding too many windows to your home also causes problems when it comes to affordability – especially when you are adding windows upstairs. Every window you add to your home increases your expense considerably, so keep this in mind as you plan your new build!
But Can You Have Too Many Windows?
Yes. As you can see from the examples above, you can have too many windows! Adding too many windows to your home can result in:
- A dull poorly lit home
- Little to no aeration within the home
- No natural lighting
- A home that is too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer
- A house that breaks the bank when built
- A home with no wall space or wall cabinets
Conclusion
There is no set number of windows for a home, but it is best to stick with a minimum of one window per room for a structurally sound, well-lit house. Being smart about the number of windows you install in your home will ensure a safe and stable home and help you stop overpaying for window installation!
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