Find out how to work out which way a property faces and the advantages and disadvantages of each orientation.
There are many things we check before buying or renting a new home. As a rule, space and layout are the main factors clients take into account. But sometimes we overlook others that are just as important, such as orientation.
Yet taking orientation into account will help you get better natural light, bringing warmth to the home and saving on energy consumption.
So the question arises: how do you work out which way a property faces? At Klic Arquitectos, our architecture practice in Málaga, we have the answer.
How to work out which way a property faces, the easy way
Use a compass
The most traditional way of all to find out which way a flat faces. A compass always points to magnetic north. If you have one to hand, simply stand parallel to the façade wall.
Note which direction the needle points to. It may not fall clearly on any of the four main points. That is when we talk about intermediate orientations, such as north-west, south-east and so on.
How to find out which way a flat faces using the catastro
The catastro is Spain’s property cadastre: an administrative register that works as an inventory of properties, both rural and urban. Every property must, by law, be recorded in the catastro, and it can be consulted online at the Sede Electrónica del Catastro (the Cadastre’s online portal).
There you will find a plan of the flat or house whose orientation you want to check. To work out which way a property faces using the catastro, take the top of the plan as your reference: it corresponds to north. From that reference point, you can easily work out the orientation.
Likewise, if the left-hand wall runs diagonally between east and north, it faces one of the intermediate points.
Check it on Google Maps
If you are using a computer, all you need to do is search for the property’s exact address. Google Maps lets you lock the map to north, so you can quickly see which way it faces.
The pros and cons of each orientation
Now that you know the different ways of working out which way a property faces, there is another equally important question to answer: which orientation suits you best?
North-facing
It is not usually the first choice for people looking for a home, because the sun does not shine directly into it. But that very fact makes it a good option in areas with a warm climate. On the other hand, in colder places it can be a major drawback, as you will spend more on heating.
However, a north-facing home does give you even, uniform light throughout the day.
South-facing
This is usually one of the favourites when choosing a home in a multi-family building. The reason? You will have natural light for almost the whole day, all year round. And in colder places, the sun coming in will help to warm the space.
This means significant energy savings, because you will need far less artificial lighting and heating.
East-facing
If your home faces east, you will get direct sun from first thing in the morning until midday. As a result, the home warms up through the morning and the heat gradually dissipates over the afternoon.
West-facing
If, once you have worked out which way a flat faces, you discover that it looks west, bear in mind that this is one of the orientations buyers ask for least.
The sun will light the property from midday until late afternoon — in other words, during the hottest hours of the day. This can be a major drawback in warm areas but, conversely, a real advantage in colder places.
We hope this article has helped you find out how to work out which way a property faces ahead of your next move. Now all that’s left is to choose your favourite!
