Keeping house cool

Draw your thick curtains across any south facing windows and open windows and doors.

Beats fans.

Mary

As much insulation in the loft as you can get. Thermal shutters. Awnings.

An old white sheet across the *outside* of the window, or install proper external blinds.

MBQ

I don't think nets do much, but drawing curtains to reduce solar gain when windows get direct sun certainly helps. Exterior shutters would be even better.

Owain

I think nets are really terrific for windows. My house is in a nice, quiet location but several of our neighbors, as a matter of course, walk within a few feet of our bedroom window, which is on the ground floor. Consequently we have net curtains up there. I understand that the previous occupants here were very fashion conscious and felt unable to resort to nets. The story goes that often, when people were passing the window the bedded residents could be seen squirming and moaning with embarrassment at being observed. At least, that's what I think they were doing.

I like a person with a sense of humour. ;-)

Done the thing with the curtains. Tried windows opened and closed. Tried fans. Tried LOTS of fans. Shutters not really practical.

Is "solar film" any good?

sponix

In very hot countries, like the middle East, they build a free standing wall on the sunny side of the house, the full width and height of the property, with a gap for air to circulate. That keeps radiant heat off the house wall. That could be a fun weekend project (but apply for planning perm. first).

john2

Why, I wonder, is your experience so different from others' ...

Mary

may geve some clues (heavy reading). What is inside the window seems to have little effect. Shading and shutters a much greater effect. I extended the canopy over my garage door to shade the lounge window as well. It has reduced the solar gain in summer, with little effect ehen the sun is low in the winter.

The message from john contains these words:

I suppose if you knocked up something like a cricketing sight-screen you wouldn't need planning permission as it wouldn't be a permanent structure.

Get air conditioning!

And add to the pollution which contributes to global warming!

Mary

In message , Mary Fisher writes

Depends on the expectations I guess, and much depends on the house as well, which way the rooms face, the size of windows, the internal arrangement of the house etc.

you aren't going to stop the house getting warm, you re just going to reduce the temp a bit. Maybe you have just got the house to where it is going o go.

sponix

That prolly explains why curtains have had little effect.

Shutters/canopy would be a problem as there's nothing to attach them to. They'd also look silly.

sponix

That is being considered.

sponix

Me having air con will make very little difference!

sponix

As others have experienced, drawing thick curtains prevents the sun from getting into the rooms. Simple and instananeous.

Mary