Beat the heat: How sash windows can help keep your house cool in the summer.

Summers are becoming hotter and getting a full nights sleep can feel like a distant memory. Many households are struggling to beat the heat now more than ever. This is no easy task, with air-con being a rarity in most UK homes. How can you avoid rising summer temperatures and what steps should you take if you wish to remain cool when the outside environment is boiling? Let us take a look at a handful of expert tips.

Keeping the Light and Heat Out of Your Home

Thermal radiation is quite potent and it is therefore best to limit the amount of sunlight allowed to enter into your home. One of the best recommendations therefore involves drawing any blinds or curtains during the warmest hours of the day. Specific configurations known as “blackout blinds” are particularly useful, as they will essentially prevent any sunlight from passing through. As tempting as it is to fling open all of your windows in summer; it is more effective to keep north facing windows open and south facing ones shut.

The Amazing Benefits of Insulation

The term “insulation” is often associated with the colder months of the year. After all, isn’t the main benefit of this material to keep warm air in the home? The partial answer to this question is yes. However, we also need to remember that thermal insulation goes both ways. While it is highly effective at preventing warm air from escaping, it is just as potent at blocking the hot outside environment.

This is why homes that do not contain the proper amount of insulation will often become extremely hot during the summer; particularly when referring to the second or third floors. In order to appreciate how to keep your house cool in summer conditions, the importance of obtaining the proper amount of insulation can never be overlooked. If you suspect that there may be an issue, it is wise to contact a building contractor to learn what steps can be taken.

What About Your Windows?

Sash windows are common in many modern homes. However, these configurations have existed at least since the Victorian times. Many experts therefore stress the principle of different air densities. One advantage of sash windows is that both the top and bottom sections can be opened simultaneously, enabling what is known as passive cooling. This is when warm air is extracted through the upper portion while cooler air is then allowed to enter via the lower section. Thus, a natural type of circulation can be achieved. While this might not be immediately apparent, the chances are high that employing such a technique will help to lower the temperature of your home by a few degrees or more.

Double Glazing

Knowing how to keep your house cool in summer will also involve an appreciation for double-glazed windows. This configuration consists of two panes of glass which are separated by a thin layer of air. Air is actually one of the best thermal insulators and as a result, cooler interior air will be retained while the influx of warmer air from the outside environment will be reduced. This is why providing your home with double-glazed windows is a critical step if you hope to avoid excessive levels of heat.

It is likely that summer temperatures will continue to rise into the foreseeable future. This is why it is important to take the correct preventative steps today in order to enjoy a more comfortable tomorrow.

If you’d like to find out more information about Sash Windows, get in touch with a member of our team today on 020 8017 1632.