What no windows?

While biking around on earth day while house hunting we rode past this home. It is modern style home with board and batten which was badly in need of some paint. But something else struck too. I had to stop literally in the middle of the road to take a photo. It was a busy road so I apologize that the photo is not better. 

Anyway, what had struck me about this modern looking home was the simple fact that there was not a single window on its street facing side: NO WINDOWS? Yes this house has many issues but simply adding windows which dramatically improve how it feels from the outside and and what it is like from the inside. 

There could be a few reasons why they didn't use windows on this side:
1- simple cost cutting measures
2- concerns from sound from the road
3- south facing windows

The cost of a window installed would range $500 (done by yourself) $1200-1500 (depending on quality, size, and labor costs). If this room doesn't have another window or if that other window is small you might have a very dark room, one in which you might need to have the lights on.  You might save enough alone on electricity to pay for the window. Trust me adding a window would have this house look more appealing and the interior of that room feel more connected with the outside.

If traffic noise was the reason behind omitting the window originally, you can buy windows that have  high quality sound rating it is called an STC. Look for windows with a rating of at least 40 and you won't hear much of anything outside that window.

If it is because the window is facing south or even worse west facing, there measures to be taken to reduce your house overheating from unwanted sun. Windows now have a rating for that it is called the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient which is expressed in range between 0 to 1. This rating can relate to the glass with in the window or the whole window assembly. You can also create an overhang that will block unwanted angle of the sun but still provide light into the room. There is a myriad of screening options but it is preferential to use these screens on the outside of the building rather than inside with reflective blinds. Because you want to keep the heat on the outside of the structure if you are trying to block it and prevent it from moving into the building. I write another time on passive solar heating, and its relation to the type of windows you might use.

Here is a cool chart to help you select the correct windows for your area.

http://www.efficientwindows.org/selection.cfm

Links on SHGC: http://www.efficientwindows.org/shgc.cfm