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When the temperature rises, many homeowners find themselves facing the same problem: a house that feels impossible to cool down.
While fans, open windows and cold drinks can help, the reality is that some homes are simply better equipped to deal with hot weather than others. UK homeowners are struck particularly hard by spells of scorching weather, most living in homes that were built 50+ years ago when the climate was very different.
The good news is that there are several improvements you can make, both large and small, to keep your home more comfortable during a heatwave. Here are seven ways to help your home stay cooler this summer.
Insulation is often associated with keeping heat in during winter, but it works just as hard during summer by slowing down the transfer of heat into your home. Poorly insulated roofs, walls and extensions can quickly become overheated during warm weather, making rooms uncomfortable long into the evening.
If you’re planning a renovation, upgrading insulation should be high on your priority list. Not only will it help regulate temperatures year-round, but it can also reduce energy bills and improve overall comfort.
For this homeowner in Denton, insulation was a priority, their kitchen was freezing cold in the winter and incredibly stuffy in the summer. When Ms Smyth came to us to renovate her kitchen, she asked us to insulate the space properly too. You can read more about the project here.
Heat naturally rises, which means upper floors and extensions can quickly become the warmest parts of the house. Roof windows such as Velux can help improve ventilation by allowing warm air to escape more effectively. When combined with lower-level windows, they create natural airflow through the home, helping to draw cooler air inside. Many modern roof windows can also be fitted with blinds and solar-control glazing to further reduce heat gain during summer months.
Large windows and glazed doors bring valuable natural light into a home, but poor-quality glazing can also allow significant solar heat gain. Modern double and triple glazing is designed to help regulate internal temperatures while maintaining excellent energy efficiency. Specialist solar-control glass can be particularly effective in south-facing rooms, helping reduce overheating without sacrificing daylight.
If you’re planning an extension or replacing existing windows and doors, choosing high-performance glazing can make a noticeable difference to how comfortable your home feels.
Air conditioning is becoming increasingly popular in UK homes, particularly in bedrooms, garden rooms and open-plan living spaces. Modern systems are far more efficient and discreet than many homeowners expect, providing both cooling in summer and additional heating during colder months.
If certain rooms regularly become uncomfortable during hot weather, air conditioning can provide a reliable long-term solution.
Not every solution requires a renovation. Thermal curtains, blackout blinds and solar-control window coverings can significantly reduce the amount of heat entering your home during the hottest parts of the day.
Closing curtains before direct sunlight reaches the glass can help keep rooms noticeably cooler, especially in south-facing spaces.
Dark colours absorb more heat than lighter ones.
While repainting your entire home isn’t necessary, lighter wall colours, flooring and soft furnishings can help create a cooler-feeling environment both physically and visually.
Soft whites, pale greys and muted natural tones tend to reflect more light and contribute to a brighter, airier atmosphere during summer months.
Sometimes the most effective cooling happens before heat even reaches your home.
Pergolas, external blinds, awnings and carefully positioned planting can all help reduce direct sunlight entering through windows and glazed doors. This can be particularly effective for extensions and open-plan spaces with large areas of glazing.
If your home regularly becomes uncomfortable during hot weather, it may be worth considering whether a larger renovation could help. Better insulation, high-performance glazing, roof windows and carefully planned ventilation can all make a significant difference to how your home performs during both summer and winter.
Our designers work with you to find a solution that works for you and your home for many summers to come. Click here to book your appointment with them today.
