North-Facing vs. South-Facing Sand Section Homes

Manhattan Beach’s Sand Section is undeniably one of the best places in the world. With shops, restaurants, and long stretches of white sand beaches, it’s easy to understand why Sand Section boasts South Bay’s most sought-after homes.

But even the most beautiful home with sub-optimal orientation affects comfort and lifestyle and can be costly. Choosing a North-facing vs. South-facing home can be an important decision when purchasing a home.

So, do you look for North or South-facing homes when looking for a house in the Sand Section of Manhattan Beach?

Beach-Facing Homes

For some people, North vs. South is a trick question because the answer is “Beach.” If you can purchase a Sand Section home along The Strand or that faces the Pacific Ocean, which is West, then that is your ideal option. It’s hard to go wrong with a gorgeous home in the Sand Section with an ocean view.

But if your ideal home doesn’t have a beach or ocean view, you may want to consider the impacts of having a North or South facing home.

Pros of North-Facing Homes

• Homes will experience natural light throughout the day due to indirect sunlight for much of the day.
• Most effective placement for comfort, as homes naturally ward off the heat from the summer sun. During hot weather and heat waves, North-facing homes have an advantage.
• Landscaping is easier to maintain, as it requires less water and protection from the sun.

Cons of North-Facing Homes

• Receive less direct sunlight, resulting in homes that are naturally darker and less inviting; however, intelligent designs can avoid this.
• Less solar energy potential, as solar panels do not absorb as much sun...

Current and former clients constantly ask us for recommendations to good architects in the Manhattan Beach area. We have some great references to pass along but we always do so with some extra suggestions of our own.

Because choosing an architect can be an incredibly stressful and difficult task for some, we’ve put together a 5-step checklist designed to simplify and explain the process.

Step 1: Interview Several Prospects 

We can’t stress this point enough. When picking an architect, having a direct referral is great but you want to make sure that you also consider different options. That referral from your close family friend may have been a great catch for their style and workflow but that same architect may not have the vision you do for your home. Be sure to interview several architects before you make your final decision. 

Step 2: Have An Idea In Mind 

We’re not saying that you have to know exactly what you want for your design project. Instead, we suggest picking out a few homes in the area or in magazines/online that you’ve liked. Having even the slightest notion of what you expect from your architect will really help you gauge their work in comparison to your expectations. Luckily, thanks to pinterest and several other online websites, inspiration is only a few clicks away.

Step 3: Get An Architect Involved From The Get-Go  

Because choosing designs and design elements is time intensive, we suggest getting your architect involved right at the beginning. Your architect can help guide you through the design process if they’re involved early enough. Having them on board from the start will also make for a much smoother...