When it comes to buying a house, there are many things you need to consider – what location, how many bedrooms, house type, price, the list could go on. And that’s before you’ve even thought about the direction of the garden!
To help you through this important decision, we’ve got a guide all about buying a house with a west facing garden and whether or not it’s a good idea.
Got a specific question and want a quick answer? Use this menu as a guide:
A west facing garden is exactly what it sounds like – a garden facing west. The direction a garden faces will affect how much sun it enjoys throughout the day, making it something you need to think about in detail before deciding to buy a house.
If you’re unsure about the direction your garden is facing, then there’s a simple way to work it out. Either take a real compass or a compass app on your phone and point it towards the bottom of your garden.
This will mean you have your back against your house wall and you’re pointing the compass away. The compass will then display the direction that your garden is facing.
Alternatively, you can go on ‘Google Maps’ and type in the address of the property you’re interested in. Then if you view the house on ‘street view’ the compass will display which way the garden is facing, with the red part of the arrow pointing to North.
A property that has a west facing garden will get sun in the back garden all afternoon, which tends to be from 1 pm onwards, right up until sunset, as the sun sets in the west.
In the sunnier months, a garden facing west may get the sun a bit earlier, with the sun being higher in the sky.
Of course, how much sun your garden will get will depend upon whether you have any obstacles in the way, such as big trees or other houses close by. If this is the case, your garden will naturally have more shadows even throughout the afternoon, leaving you with a shaded back garden most of the time.
A west facing garden will get the sun in the afternoon from about 1 pm onwards, with it being completely in shade throughout the morning. This is because the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
If you have a garden facing west, you will have to bear in mind how much sun you get, and when, for deciding what you want to plant in your garden. This is key because any flowers will need to be able to stand full sun all afternoon whilst also being able to survive in the complete shade in the morning.
An idea of the type of flowers that would suit these conditions is:
Also, in the winter months, you may find that the amount of sun your west facing garden gets is significantly reduced, so it’s vital you consider this before buying a house with a garden facing west, especially if you’re a keen gardener.
If you’re considering buying a property with a west facing garden, it’s natural to wonder whether or not it’s a good idea and whether you will get any benefits from a west facing garden.
To help you make your decision, we have listed here all the pros of buying a house with a garden facing west:
Whilst a west facing back garden does bring a great deal of positives, there are naturally drawbacks which may be a deal-breaker for some. It’s vital you consider these cons before you go ahead with buying a house with a west facing garden:
The best and most desired direction for your garden to face is a south facing garden. This is because they receive the most light all day long, which is something most buyers are looking for.
Having a south facing garden can actually increase your property’s value when it comes to selling, as there’s a high demand for a set amount of supply.
For people who are keen gardeners or those who love to entertain, the high priority is a garden which will have the most sun, as it will mean longer days in the garden and better growing conditions for plants.
Ultimately, there is no overall best direction for a garden to face as the answer will be down to what you personally want to get out of your garden.
To quickly summarise each garden direction to help you decide which garden will be best for you:
Well, that’s everything you need to know about a west facing garden, including when they get the sun, which flowers grow best and the pros and cons. Do you have another question to ask? Or maybe you have some insight to give? Whatever it is, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Millie is perfectionist with a passion for property and writing articles. You’ll find her researching the latest housing trends and the newest up and coming areas worth investing in. Read more about Millie here.
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