Shade MapTry it

Buying a home

See a house's sunlight before you make an offer.

Listing photos are taken on the brightest afternoon of the year. Shade Map measures the house and the trees around it and shows how much sun the yard, the rooms and the roof really get, including the short days of December.

See the shade at your home
A house with a pool, garden beds and solar panels, from above

The same house at noon, every month.

40 ftnoon shadow in December, the sun 33° up
35Jan25Feb17Mar10Apr6May5Jun6Jul10Aug17Sep26Oct36Nov40Dec

What to check at a viewing

  • Which way does the yard face? South and west yards get the most afternoon sun.
  • Are there tall trees to the south, yours or a neighbour's? They decide winter sun.
  • Will the living room get any direct sun in December?
  • Is there a sunny spot for a vegetable bed, and a shady one for summer evenings?
  • Could the roof take solar panels without a tree in the way?

Why December matters

Most homes sell in spring and summer, when the sun is high and every yard looks bright. In December the same yard can be in shadow most of the day. Shade Map shows both, side by side.

Measure any address

You don't need to own the house. Type any address and Shade Map measures it, so you can compare homes on your shortlist by their light.

Questions

How can I find out how much sun a house gets?

Visit at different times of day if you can, but that won't show winter. Shade Map measures the house and its trees and shows the sun and shade for any hour of any day.

Is a south-facing yard better?

In the United States a south-facing yard gets the most sun across the year. Whether that's better depends on whether you want a sunny garden or a shaded patio.

Can I check a house I don't own yet?

Yes. Shade Map works for any home address, so you can check a house on your shortlist before you make an offer.

More on sun and shade at home

SolarHow much sun does your roof really get?GardenHow many hours of sun does your garden get?BuildingPlan your build around the sun.TanningWhen is the sun strongest today?Golden hourGolden hour and blue hour, at any address.