House with a west facing garden - any downsides?

[CookieDoughKid]

Wanting to buy a house but it's offplan and will be built later this year. It comes with a west facing garden. Are there any downsides to having a west facing garden? During what time of day will the garden be at its sunniest? (Sorry that I have no idea, my sense of orientation is crap!!). As it's offplan, I'm unable to view the house built. Many thanks!!

[littlecrystal]

For me it is the best direction. The sun appears in the early afternoon and stays there all day. You may want to invest to good curtains as it can get too much!

[ShoeWhore]

It will be shady near the house in the morning and sunny all afternoon. One side of the garden will be north facing and so mainly in shade, the opposite south facing side will be in sun all day. You can get some great shade loving plants though, although there are less options for flowers.

How long is the garden? You could maybe create a seating area away from the house to enjoy an early morning cuppa?

Bear in mind as well that the front of your house will get the morning sun. My parents house is like this, their garden is lovely to sit in.

[Greenrememberedhills]

It is a fantastic orientation. South or West facing are the desirable gardens.

[Greenrememberedhills]

In the Northern hemisphere, eg Britain.

[NormHonal]

What everyone has already said - sunny in the afternoon. Which is good.

The only downside I can think of based on our experience is that plants at the front of the house don't tend to thrive as much. We have a big sun-loving climber outside our house (planted before we moved in) and it barely flowers. Our neighbours over the road have similar and get loads of flowers. But don't get as much back-garden sun in the afternoons.

[NormHonal]

P.S. Having previously had a south-facing garden into which our very young DCs could barely venture in the summer afternoons due to heat, I now prefer west-facing.

[specialsubject]

it will be sunny in the afternoon IF there's nothing blocking the sun. If this is on a new build estate check how close the other properties will be, they usually cram 'em in. Also look for local hills, big trees.

if the light does get to it this is a great direction, as the rooms facing that way are cool in the morning but get sun and heat later when you need it.

[Spickle]

We had a west facing garden in a previous house. The biggest downside was that the sun shone straight into my kitchen window when I was cooking dinner. In the summer the sun would get lower and lower until it set and in the winter the sun was much lower to start with. It would be dazzling sometimes. I guess shutter style blinds would help filter out the sun, but I had roller blinds at the time! Also in order to watch the tv, we had to draw the curtains which meant a dark room on a sunny day!

[Greenrememberedhills]

Special, that's a good point. East facing is meant to be shady, but my east facing back garden is sunny all summer, apart from a strip on the right as you look up- and even that is ok at the top. It is pretty much true East facing too.

The West facing front us not overlooked and it is too hot in summer.

[CookieDoughKid]

Thanks everyone for the replies! It seems there are good sunny benefits for West facing so can't go far wrong!!

[Happymother77]

West facing garden is the loveliest place at home! There you can enjoy the smell and beauty of flowers and nature, relax with birdsongs and breathe the fresh air! I wish I had one at home, but unfortunately, I live in block of flats with its noise and pollutions. It is difficult to live there, but I think that one day my dream come true. I envy people who have a west facing garden. They are really lucky ones! This place is always lit up the warm sunshine!

[Applefallingfromthetree2]

By far the best direction to face.!