Loft conversion windows - Juliet balcony or not? How many veluxes?

[MuggleStudiesResearchProject]

I'm just wondering indecisively about window arrangements in a loft conversion. It will be a dorma hip to gable conversion of a 30s semi. Big bedroom plus ensuite. I can't decide between Juliet balcony or not, or Juliet balcony with side windows that you can have open for night time breeze, or something else. How many velux windows? Two small vs one large? Velux over the stairs or just a window in the new wall.

What do you/would you have? Pros and cons to consider?

I’ve seen a few lofts where you can see from the street right up through the room, from floor to ceiling. So be careful with a balcony if you are overlooked from below (under-looked?)

Definitely think about windows/doors that open quite wide though especially if in the South, as loft rooms do get hot.

Also think about where your eyeline is versus the horizon/view - we have horizontal bars on our window at just the wrong height to block the view of the horizon and it’s annoying.

Regarding Veluxes, think about putting them in a standing spot, e.g. either side of a bed, as they add a surprising amount to the head height (~6 inches depending on slope of roof)

Juliet balcony with side windows that open.

Think about solar gain for the size of the room - too much glazing and you're trying to get to sleep in a sauna in summer.

You need two windows whatever you go for. There is only one in my loft conversion so no way for a through draft. I cooked in the heatwave.

We rejected a house because the lovely Juliet balcony was opposite another even bigger expanse of glass in the houses behind and I felt too exposed, or I'd have to have the curtains closed whenever I had the light on. So be mindful of what you are looking at and who is looking at you.
I like symmetry so two or three velux windows, with the third over the stairs for light.

It’s selfish to have a Juliet balcony in a semi. Next door put one in, and it’s like they have a viewing platform over our garden.
Luckily the sun hits it every afternoon and they have to keep the blinds closed to try to keep the heat down.

Unless you have a view you really like and aren't particularly overlooking others, I think juliet balconies are a bad idea.
South facing windows will make the room really hot.
Imagine where you'll want to stand and look, where you'll want to put your furniture etc.

IMHO total waste of money unless you have a decent view. We didn't bother and just put a window there instead. Next door put one in, and in three years I've yet to see them open the doors.

Definitely beaux in hallway for light, also consider having ceiling as a vaulted ceiling as it can be open and airy too.

Definitely need through ventilation, in our loft conversion we have two bedrooms with two velux windows each, plus each room has a large bathroom window in their en suites. The loft space is a den/office with only has 1 window which can be boiling, so DH has to use all windows upstairs for through breeze in the summer when he's using it as an office