Energetic – Good or difficult?

Insufficiently insulated windows can form so-called cold bridges in the facade. For this reason, the replacement of old windows is always one of the first measures in a renovation. This is because a lot of energy is lost in a house through old and not well insulated windows. The roof, exterior walls, exterior doors, windows and the floor slab are the building components that seal off the outside. The energy efficiency of a building depends to a large extent on them, as the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy also states.

Energetically ideal are windows with panes that have a metallic coating. The spaces between them are filled with inert gas. Their insulation values are three times higher than those of single-glazed windows.

Ideal: windows with panes and metallic coating

Bright rooms look more friendly and spacious:

Source for more light

If you are in a room with many windows, you use less energy for artificial light. Especially in the house in the hallways, generous window areas and glass in the house have a positive effect on energy consumption.

Special case corridor

If you have daylight in the hallway for long stretches, you need light there exclusively at night, at least in the summer. In addition, a house looks friendlier if the entrance area is full of daylight. But how can this be achieved? Firstly, through front doors with side panels or skylights. Through these, the light comes directly into the hallway. A high-quality frosted glass film provides privacy at this point. It lets the light in, but does not allow people to see inside the house from the outside. The film can be ordered made to measure and easily applied.

Frosted glass film allows light into the room while protecting privacy

Another option for more light in the hallway are interior doors with glass. These can be all-glass doors or glass inserts in the doors. Similarly, skylights in the house are a way to get the light from the rooms to the interior of the house. Again, the use of frosted glass film can provide privacy.

Effect of large windows in living rooms

Floor-to-ceiling windows are popular in modern living spaces in new buildings. Especially large window fronts create a nice feeling of spaciousness in the room. However, attention must be paid to two points:

• How to heat
• Where storage space or floor space remains

Heating type

Usually, the radiators are located under the window. This was done to counteract the cold bridge and distribute the warm air in the room as much as possible. Now, if the windows in a room are floor-to-ceiling, underfloor heating is ideal. This distributes the warmth already ideally in the space alone by its structure. It also counteracts cold spots on the floor, which can certainly occur with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Footprint

If a room has floor-to-ceiling windows, think about the upcoming furniture. As beautiful as window fronts are, if there is a cabinet in front of them at the end, they look strange. For this reason, the window design and the room should think about the use and furnishings. Floor-to-ceiling windows are not always the ideal solution in small rooms. If floor space for furniture is difficult, high-set narrower windows, as in Scandinavian houses, can be an ideal source of light.

Ideal light sources in the kitchen

While floor-to-ceiling windows are nice at the dining area in an eat-in kitchen, it’s a different story with the windows directly at the countertops. There, on the one hand, a direct source of light is needed, but on the other hand, the floor space for the cabinets. For this reason, floor-to-ceiling windows in a kitchen are rarely the ideal solution. If the work surface is located opposite, the occupant stands in the light while cooking. If the work surfaces are placed in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, it is neither possible to ventilate well nor does the room really benefit from the floor-to-ceiling windows. For this reason, it makes sense to have smaller windows in a kitchen and light through skylights or narrower windows set higher again.

Tip: Higher set narrow windows allow good ventilation and let light into the kitchen

Large windows in children’s rooms

Children’s rooms benefit from brightness. At the same time, it must be remembered that a child plays intensively on the floor, especially during the first years of life. Whether it’s crawling, playing on a play rug or later concentrated building with Lego – a child spends a lot of time on the floor. Those who choose floor-to-ceiling windows in a child’s room must pay particular attention to insulation. Because while underfloor heating works effectively against the cold floor in winter, if the windows are not well insulated, the floor can get chilly even in summer.

Additional tip: Light wall colors reflect the light from the window and contribute to a pleasant atmosphere:

With age, a child may also feel disturbed by the openness of a floor-to-ceiling window. Better than pleated blinds or venetian blinds – which often do not suit the taste of a teenager, a frosted glass film fits here. It can be applied flexibly and protects against unwanted glances without the room having to be plunged into darkness.

Bathroom with daylight

In the bathroom, windows have several important functions. Windows provide the opportunity to ventilate the humid air from the room. They also provide daylight when looking in the mirror, which is often nicer than the very bright artificial lighting in the bathroom. To prevent unwanted views, higher windows are useful, especially on the first floor. On the one hand, a high light band lets the light in and offers the option of ventilation. In addition, bathrooms are often planned so small that lower-seated windows take away important floor space. Or the window sills at the end serves as a floor space and hereby the ventilation is more difficult.

Room size decisive

The size of the window must fit the size of the room. The windows should be freely accessible, so that in addition to light, they allow air into the four-walls. From too many gazes films safely protect the inhabitants of the house, without swallowing too much light. Living is always better with daylight in the premises.

Passive house definition: What is meant by this type of house?

Sustainable housing options are divided into different house options. Part of them are zero energy houses, low energy houses and also passive houses. You can also find detailed articles on other options in our magazine, but here we will only talk about the passive house for the time being.

A house is called a passive house as soon as it requires less than 15 kWh/sqm per year. This value is achieved through various measures in the construction of the house. Multiple glazed windows and high-quality insulation reduce the transmission heat loss and thus minimise heating costs.

Are you looking for the right house? Then check out our guide! Here you will find definitions, meanings and lots of information: House types from A-Z

Construction and room layout and energy consumption

The heat losses that occur in a passive house due to transmission and ventilation are attempted to be compensated by the energy gain of photovoltaic systems on the roof of the house. In any case, energetically advantageous installations are to be expected. These require regular maintenance. This is a long-term cost factor, which should be considered when building a passive house.

Passive houses can also be divided into different subclasses. These classes describe the energy demand that the installations on the house must meet in order to make the house a passive house.

• Passive House Classic: 60 kWh/qma primary energy consumption p.a.
• Passive House Plus: 45 kWh/sqm primary energy consumption p.a. + 60 kWh/sqm energy generation
• Passive House Premium: 30 kWh/qma primary energy consumption p.a. + 120 kWh/qma energy production

Advantages & disadvantages of a passive house: costs, windows and co.

The house type must be as airtight as possible to avoid ventilation heat loss. This is done, for example, by replacing windows that open with a ventilation system. However, this change also involves dangers that are not immediately obvious at first glance.

Advantages: Incidental costs and efficiency

A passive house has extremely positive effects on your life and the environment, especially in the long term. Nevertheless, the decision for or against the housing option can be difficult. We have summarized a few of the advantages that the passive house brings with it for you:

• Sustainability
• Reduced ancillary costs
• Modern
• Future-oriented

Disadvantages: Ventilation and cost

Of course, not everything can always be positive. Especially when building a house, problems arise that are not always taken into account in advance. Disadvantages that a passive house but in most cases brings with it, you can read here:

• Risk of mould if ventilation is damaged
• Increased construction costs
• Maintenance requirements

Source: Passive House (Lukinski.de)

For whom are passive houses suitable? Families, couples & co.

In itself, passive houses are an option for anyone and everyone who can imagine living in a sustainable house. However, one should meet certain requirements so that the modern house does not overwhelm.

For example, it is an advantage to have a certain inclination towards sustainable energies. Or rather, one is able to read into the simple systems in order to understand how to operate them.

However, we would also like to take the opportunity here to allay the fears of people who are concerned that a photovoltaic system could be too much for them. The user view of these systems is kept as simple as possible in order to make them accessible to many people.

Of course, the small computers can be connected to the smartphone and you can follow a live report about the installation and electricity production, as well as be alerted to irregularities, but this is not a must. Ultimately, anyone can learn to deal with the installations of a passive house.

Sustainable living: Energy standards, requirements & comparison

With regard to the requirements that a house must meet in order to be called a passive house, we have already made more concrete statements in the previous section. We would like to compare the different options here to help you find the right house.

Passive house vs. low-energy house

The low-energy house is the preliminary stage to the passive house. This means that a low-energy house, for example, meets the same structural requirements to reduce transmission heat loss, but is not able to generate the energy consumption itself.

Zero energy house vs. passive house

A passive house is, so to speak, the precursor to a zero-energy house. A zero-energy house manages to completely cover the energy demand that arises over the year and thus requires no additional purchases in the field of energy. However, it is important to mention here that these reference values are to be seen all very broadly, just what the buying of energy is concerned, because depending on the season and location, the self-sufficient houses do not manage to maintain their self-sufficiency and low additional costs are incurred.

Passive house: wooden house, prefabricated house and other building options

Good news for all fans of unusual houses: The term passive house is not a building type, but an energy standard that must be met, so there are limits to the freedom of planning, but nevertheless the energy-efficient houses come in many types and shapes.

In terms of new construction, hardly any building style is unattainable. However, certain ideas may not be feasible for reasons of efficiency. One should be aware of these limitations. That being said, there are wooden houses, prefabricated houses and more, all of which meet the energy standard and can conjure up your dream house on your property quickly and sometimes inexpensively.

Build or buy: Is a passive house worth it?

As always, the decision whether the house is newly built or freshly bought better is always dependent on the situation and the offer. What can be said, however, in relation to passive houses is that they are extremely forward-looking. Regulations for new builds and refurbishments are becoming stricter and stricter, then of course the government wants to drive forward the achievement of climate targets, which includes sustainable housing options.

For this reason, it is advisable not to disregard the types of houses in the apartment finding. However, one does not have to decide directly for such an extreme variant, of course. There are also lower energy standards that already bring extreme progress compared to old buildings and also renovated old buildings. For example, different KfW efficiency houses can be considered.

What should be considered when setting up a passive house?

In addition to other factors, the furnishings can also have an effect on heating costs, because furniture stores heat. An empty room is therefore more difficult to heat than a furnished room of the same size. In addition, installations such as carpets and curtains can help to regulate the temperatures in a room.

If you are still looking for inspiration for your interior design, we highly recommend you to take a look at our interior / furnishing section. There you will find ideas for all rooms of your house and even for the children’s room we have the right furniture labels ready.

Tip! You can furnish your house in many different ways. You can find trendy styles for the furnishing of your home with us: Furnishing styles XXL

Are you looking for the right apartment? Here you’ll find definitions, meanings and lots of information on penthouses, granny flats, apartments & co.: Apartment types from A-Z

As you have already experienced, basement apartments are located in basements or cellars. That means you live underground. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that your living space is gloomy or uncomfortable. It is possible to convert an existing basement into an apartment, but nowadays basement apartments are designed as a proper apartment when a house is built and are therefore designed according to the requirements. Normally, you will have a separate staircase leading to your apartment. Most of the time, even a small terrace or green area is also included. So there are also some benefits even if in your apartment the ceilings are a bit lower or there is less daylight. You can make up for all that with the right decoration. But more about that later.

Basement apartment building: Can any basement become an apartment?

Often the basement in the house is converted into an apartment for personal use. For example, if the daughter would like a little more privacy, you convert the basement and create a second entrance by adding separate stairs. If that’s your plan, then nothing stands in your way. However, it’s a different story once you plan to rent out your basement space. Then it starts with the fact that you need a building permit. So first find out what the regulations are in your state. There is always a minimum ceiling height requirement. This is 2.30m- 2.50m, depending on the state. In addition, basic equipment such as a radiator must be available. However, you should also inform yourself about the exact regulations.

Source: Basement apartment (Lukinski.de)

Advantages & disadvantages of a basement apartment

To be sure that a basement apartment is right for you, or if you are still in the process of handing over, you should definitely take a look at the pros and cons of this type of housing. As with any apartment, there are pluses but also minuses and you have to decide for yourself if you can live with the little flaws. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find out about some advantages that you didn’t see before?

Advantages: low prices, good location and short distances

So let’s start with the advantages. First in a big plus point the indoor climate. Especially in summer, your basement apartment remains pleasantly cool and only little heat gets in. Accordingly, it is also warmer in winter, because the warm air can not quickly escape from your apartment. In addition, you only have to climb a few stairs and have short distances. Unlike the other tenants, you only have a small flight of stairs, which is especially convenient when carrying shopping bags. It is also not unusual to have your own terrace or green area, as you do not have a balcony. And last but not least, the biggest plus point is of course the price. Many basement apartments are very affordable, especially for a downtown location.

• Good indoor climate
• Short distances and few stairs
• Own terrace, green area
• Lower prices despite city centre

Disadvantages: little daylight and low walls

You also have to consider the disadvantages to decide whether this apartment suits you. The biggest point would probably be the low daylight, since the windows are usually not too large. In addition, the walls are usually lower than in other apartments and the stairs to get to the entrance, the basement apartment is not barrier-free. Also higher heating costs can arise, because you have no heating tenants under / above you. At the same time, it is sometimes the case that the heating pipes run next to your apartment and this would balance out. In addition, you should also be aware that the entrance is usually located directly on the street and a higher probability of burglary would be present.

• Less daylight
• Lower walls
• Not barrier free
• Possibly higher heating costs

Basement apartment: For whom is this form of housing suitable?

A basement apartment is one thing above all: different from what you are used to. You are forced to make sacrifices and accept some shortcomings. Because of this, this type of apartment is not for everyone. We thought about it and considered which people would fit into a basement apartment.

Students: low rent and proximity to the university

Students are probably the first port of call when it comes to finding potential tenants for a basement apartment. There are several reasons for this, one of which is location. The accommodation is usually located in the middle of the city centre and close to universities. In addition, the low price, especially for students, is a great advantage. The central location and the small rent are probably the main plus points. For this, some students also accept the small shortcomings. In addition, you could get a rent reduction if an area of your apartment only has a ceiling height of 1m-2m. With the corresponding square meters, you only have to pay half the price per square meter.

Singles: The first home of your own?

A basement apartment would also be suitable for singles or single people. On the one hand, you could consider building this into your parents’ house to take a first step towards independence. But also in the middle of the city center, especially the location would be a big plus point. You’re well connected and usually have a short commute to work. In addition, in some cases you have your own green space and could design it according to your personal wishes. Many also use a basement apartment as a kind of transitional housing, for example, to save money.

What you should consider before buying / renting a basement apartment

Whether you want to buy or rent. As with any property, you should do your research beforehand and think about what you need to consider. Especially with non-classical apartments, you need to consider some important things that you might not even consider in the first place. Therefore, we have summarized the most important points, with which your purchase or your inspection can not go wrong.

If you’re actually thinking about buying an apartment, there are a few factors to consider. In our comprehensive article on buying an apartment you will find the advantages and disadvantages of buying an apartment, as well as information on the process and costs.

Light, climate, insurance: these aspects are important

This tip may sound a bit strange at first, but it is very important if you want to visit a basement apartment. You should make sure that your viewing appointment takes place in the afternoon (12:00-16:00), because at this time most light comes into the apartment and you can see how much daylight you would get at most. Based on this, you can then decide whether you need to install more lamps or weigh up whether the light is sufficient for you personally.

Next, you should pay attention to the room climate and possible smells when you enter. Does it smell damp, musty or even stale? That would not be a good sign, because it indicates mold! Look at the walls and windowsills and look for stains or discoloration. If you see water stains, pipes may be leaking or the walls may be poorly insulated. You should have all of this checked out and fixed before you sign your lease or purchase agreement. By the way, mould can be prevented by airing the apartment well in the morning and evening.

Also find out beforehand whether the apartment has a backwater protection and whether your insurance pays for flood or storm damage. Heavy rain or storms can cause cellars to be flooded, which in this case would be your apartment. So check everything beforehand so that you are on the safe side in the worst case.

Also pay attention to the orientation of the windows. Often they face the street and you have to install a screen, which takes away valuable daylight. However, if your windows face the garden and a green area, your room will look brighter and more inviting. No uninvited guests could look into your apartment and you would have a pleasant view.

Check list to buy/rent

• Afternoon viewing appointment
• Pay attention to the room climate: Odours? Wet walls?
• Backwater protection? Does your insurance cover storm damage?
• Where are the windows facing?

How can I furnish my basement apartment?

With the right decoration, you can turn the smallest and most inconspicuous rooms into something very special. This is also true for a basement apartment, which can seem a bit dark and dreary at first glance. We show you here with which tips and tricks you can create your perfect living space. Take a look at our comprehensive furnishing guide with tips on furnishing the living room, bedroom and more: Furnishing rooms.

With the right decoration you get the best out of your apartment

Use as much daylight as possible and don’t waste any. Do not place furniture in front of the usually small windows and do not cover them unless you are forced to use a light screen. Install clever lamps, the best ones are light lenses, which are attached to the ceiling or walls. You can also use mirrors that reflect daylight.

It’s best to keep your wall color light as well. The window frames should be white so that the direct light is reflected more brightly. You can paint the other wall colors in white or beige tones. They make your apartment look bright and friendly and create a pleasant atmosphere.

Also, when choosing furniture, do not use too many and different furniture. It’s best to keep it narrow and tall to fit perfectly in the room. Also make sure to choose your upholstered furniture in a uniform color and not to decorate too much. A few plants always do well in small rooms and look lively. However, don’t use too many decorative items and focus on the open space.

Tip! The trendiest interior styles such as boho chic, minimalism or country style can be found here at a glance: Furnishing styles XXL.