watervole | Heat...

Crossposts: https://watervole.livejournal.com/686071.html

Heat...

Have finally given in to the heat and ordered a retractable awning for both our south-facing downstairs windows.

My next door neighbour has one, and her kitchen is LOT cooler.

Oh, that's a good idea.

I've currently resorted to wedging bits of cardboard over my small south-facing windows; I never did get a portiere rod for the French window, but discovered that keeping the (double-glazed) doors shut seemed to be more effective, if counter-intuitive, than leaving them open to allow a breeze. I suppose I could try taping cardboard over those -- blacking-out the smaller windows is, at least, a fifty per cent improvement...

In fact you have just prompted me to ring up a blinds company to come and give an estimate -- if the French windows are staying shut anyway, fitting some kind of blinds to the interior panes should be an option, and the current situation is increasingly intolerable, and has been so every summer for the last three years :-(

I've taken to checking temperature inside and out. If it's hotter out, I keep the windows closed. If it's a close thing, I go for the air flow.

I'm considering blinds, but I already have thick curtains.

With either, you get a hot layer between the blind/curtain and the window - hence trying awning first.