Why are most houses so badly designed?

Rocker

Phil_aka_Pip said:

Rocker said:

@Bucket, any staircase, especially a spiral staircase, that has no handrail is an accident waiting to happen. Very poor design.

That rules out most castles, then.

I'd quite like a castle ...

Point taken but you are not looking at it as it was. People live longer these times, hence the likelihood that older and infirm people, maybe yourself, will live in such houses. A handrail is essential for every stairs for that reason.

@Bucket, one of the Grand Design programmes featured a house with vast amounts of glass. Like one of the pics you included. The usual architects BS about bringing the garden into the house, to appreciate the view etc. When Kevin went back a few months later, the owners had installed a large wood burning (aka solid fuel) stove in the room. Obviously the room could not be heated any other way. People have to live in their house. People need privacy to relax. Glass does not provide any privacy and is thermally inefficient. Inefficient when compared to a decently insulated wall. I know which one I prefer living it. Hint: it is not the large area of glass....

WezV

Rocker said:

   When Kevin went back a few months later, the owners had installed a large wood burning (aka solid fuel) stove in the room. Obviously the room could not be heated any other way. People have to live in their house. People need privacy to relax. Glass does not provide any privacy and is thermally inefficient. Inefficient when compared to a decently insulated wall. I know which one I prefer living it. Hint: it is not the large area of glass....

most people installing a log burner are doing it because they like the idea of having a log burner.   the fact they added a log burner only tells you that they wanted a log burner

modern glass and insulation in that kind of build makes up for the issues of heat loss, but can't be done cheaply.   you certainly wouldn't want the housing companies trying that style on a budget, but grand designs is normally the opposite of that approach.

my daughters school is a new build with full height windows over 2 floors and its always roasting hot.   Not a log burner in sight

I take the privacy point, but it totally depends what the window is facing.

Ro_S

If one is an exhibitionist, one might like lots of glazing.

Phil_aka_Pip

Ro_S said:

If one is an exhibitionist, one might like lots of glazing.

Or if there's nobody about and the views over the countryside are good

VimFuego

they're a bitch to hang pictures on.

Phil_aka_Pip

VimFuego said:

they're a bitch to hang pictures on.

if the countryside views are good you won't be needing pictures