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Open those windows

(98 Posts)
Teetime Sat 26-Aug-17 09:54:53

My house overlooks a small close with three houses on one side and two on the other. With the exception of one house they never open their windows including the bathroom and kitchen. Is it me - don't people open their windows to air the house anymore?

allule Mon 04-Sept-17 22:47:45

Hope the nets work for you....they promised me a refund if they didn't!
Our cats now enjoy sitting on our bedroom window sills in the summer, and haven't made any attempt to break out, but they are very placid.
I felt I had to find something when I saw this Bengal cat on our conservatory roof, look up at the fanlight which was open just a crack, stretch up and pull it open, then haul himself in!
I had to rush up to eject him through the bedroom window before he infiltrated the rest of the house.

shysal Tue 29-Aug-17 22:11:38

Just an aside to the insect haters, the Flat Cat keeps them out as well as the cat in!

shysal Tue 29-Aug-17 22:10:09

Allule, just caught up with this thread. Thank you for the recommendation of Flat cats. I have ordered two sets, and fortunately the standard size is just right. I look forward to being able to open my bedroom windows!
I did try a net system once before but Saffron tore it down immediately!

Serkeen Tue 29-Aug-17 10:35:48

I would like to go inside those houses!!

I find that the smell gets quite strong if a property is not aired.

allule Tue 29-Aug-17 10:26:27

Several mentions of escaping cats here. We bought some special nets online from flatcats. (I think they are called that because they are for cats living in flats, not a warning of the possible result of falls).
They are designed to keep cats in, but as I wrote earlier, we fitted them to keep a cat out, so we can have our bedroom windows open.

Funnygran Mon 28-Aug-17 20:25:14

We had double doors installed when the kitchen was extended and the idea was to be able to throw them open on warm days and enjoy the garden. Unfortunately the last few times we have done it, birds have flown in and then of course can't find their way out again. Have had to go back to just opening the windows for fresh air. All the upstairs ones are open all year round as I can't stand not feeling fresh air.

Aepgirl Mon 28-Aug-17 19:03:29

My neighbours never open their curtains, let alone their windows. It must be like living in a cave.

Thirdinline Mon 28-Aug-17 09:52:25

We don't, because there is a pig farm in a field behind our house. Sometimes the smells waft in, but a more persistent problem in warm weather is the many flies that come in. We have blinds and heavy drapes which we draw to keep rooms shady and cooler. Thankfully though, I love the heat.

Diddy1 Sun 27-Aug-17 23:08:10

I wonder if our DH are related!

starlily106 Sun 27-Aug-17 22:36:44

I would open my windows more often if I didn't live so near the railway lines which are just over the fence at the bottom of the garden. There are 4 tracks, and trains go past every couple of minutes in both directions. Apart from the noise there is so much dust. Surprisingly, the noisiest trains are not the heavy goods ones, but the high speed passenger ones, I really think I hate Richard Branson.

Foxyferret Sun 27-Aug-17 22:03:17

Windows open in the day but shut at night as that,apparently, is when the SPIDERS come in. (Maybe they're just tired with all that web weaving and want a kip). Luckily we have ceiling fans in all the bedrooms.

Jalima1108 Sun 27-Aug-17 20:55:35

Mercedes so when DH leaves wardrobe doors, cupboard doors and drawers open he is just 'airing things'?

I must remember that grin

Lilyflower Sun 27-Aug-17 20:11:57

I have some double glazed windows but, at the front, they are wooden and single glazed. They look gorgeous and if there were a fire we would be out in no time. We open them for fresh air.

Cherrytree59 Sun 27-Aug-17 19:26:15

Mercedes That's great tip from your Mum.smile
And as all windows open (weather hot here) it was a great day to also open wardrobe doors.
just hope no passing moths

watermeadow Sun 27-Aug-17 19:20:30

I'm out with my dog before most people are up and am amazed at whole streets with every window closed, even in hot summer weather. Many also have curtains drawn all day.
On warm nights I have a fan going beside me all night and the dog and cat love it.

NannaM Sun 27-Aug-17 18:59:13

3rd floor flat here. Screens on all windows and doors front and back, so all WIDE open during the day. Front door closed and locked at night, but balcony door open 24/7. Hate stuffy winters, love fresh air!

adaunas Sun 27-Aug-17 18:51:50

I open windows, DH shuts them, so like Diddy1 I open the bedroom windows when he's asleep. This summer, however, it's been so hot that even he has opened windows. We have screens for insects and limiters on the back windows as we tend to spend most time in the front of the house.

quizqueen Sun 27-Aug-17 18:15:48

Every window in my house is open 'on the latch' all through the year except for very, very cold days when I shut them over night if I have the central heating on. I would have windows upstairs open wider but the cat likes to do a balancing act along the window sill and although she isn't scared, I am. The back door is usually open all day, when I'm in until I go to bed, as the cat cries to come in/out constantly all day if it is shut! I live in a small village and often leave the door open if I go for a walk and have gone to work and left the front windows wide open all day!! There's usually neighbours out and about all day to ward off burglars or maybe I've just been lucky but my motto is- I have nothing worth stealing.

Diddy1 Sun 27-Aug-17 18:01:57

I have been here before, complaining about my controlling DH,who never opens windows, but recently I have opened the bedroom window, just slightly,when he has gone to bed, and believe me we both sleep really well, of course it is closed again for the day when I get up ( DH gets up much earlier) he has never realised the window has been open ever so slightly, so I am not mentioning it, I would feel like being hermetically sealed if all the windows were close constantly.Blow it, if the dust comes in from the road, we live at the back of the house anyway, in the country. Insects etc havent found their way in either!

Caro1954 Sun 27-Aug-17 17:57:54

I love having the windows open but was on jury service recently (burglary case) so now have had locks fitted so they only open so far ...

Moneyboss Sun 27-Aug-17 17:51:13

We have our bedroom windows on the latch all the time and radiator turned down to frost setting, I can't stand any heat in the bedroom at any time. Would like to open the windows more, but we're all terrified of spiders and other critters, also the doors slamming is another issue.

allule Sun 27-Aug-17 17:44:45

Our neighbours have a Bengal cat, who's main aim is to get into a house, We, and other neighbours, have had nightime visitations, and we have all our windows fitted with special nets, so that we can open them.
We have also fitted screens to our patio doors, so that we can get some air.

gillybob Sun 27-Aug-17 17:37:22

I have my French doors open all the time as I love fresh air in the house. Infact I would rather put a cardi on than close the doors . Every window upstairs is open too. Can't bear stuffiness . I think my neighbours on one side are allergic to fresh air .

Blinko Sun 27-Aug-17 17:37:03

Conkers, definitely worth a go. I hate spiders. Thanks, Franbern

Blinko Sun 27-Aug-17 17:29:54

Our neighbour has a bedroom window open (the same one always) come rain or shine. He's a smoker, and I reckon that's his smoking room.