Question
Our new cabin is 38' long facing south to Lake Superior. We want to see EVERYTHING and maximize solar gain. How mch is too much glass?
Please advise since our builder is using ICF construction and the window decisions are permanent!!!
Answer
If your house was designed with passive solar heating in mind, the rule of thumb is to keep the glass ratio to floor area no more than 6 - 7%.
You also want to choose a window with a high Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and a low U-Value.
For more information:
Read "What's the best way to capture solar heat from south-facing windows?" a Q&A answered by Cassandra Adams.
