Gransnet forums

Chat

Shutting Curtains AND Windows In This Heat?

(93 Posts)
windmill1 Fri 20-Jun-25 09:13:58

I've heard the advice to close curtains and blinds to reduce heat in the house but is it wise to keep windows tight shut?

I visited an acquaintance yesterday and felt a tidal wave of heat as we passed into the living room - curtains, windows and all internal doors firmly closed. When I remarked on the temp she blithely replied "but it would be much worse with the windows open!"

Well, could have fooled me..........and her face was the colour of setting sun too.

Or is it me?

sodapop Fri 20-Jun-25 12:24:37

Couldn't make up my mind is it lie or lay ? Help please pedants.

HelterSkelter1 Fri 20-Jun-25 12:40:42

I would say they are flopped!!!

watermeadow Fri 20-Jun-25 12:45:22

You lie down. You lay something, like an egg.

David49 Fri 20-Jun-25 13:00:06

Windows, curtains and doors shut during the day a fan to circulate air keeps us cool, ceiling fan in bedroom, comfortable even in 30C+. Out in the garden early and late to do what’s needed

Nannan2 Fri 20-Jun-25 13:38:15

It was 28.5 degrees last night in my bedroom, i am glad i was sleeping downstairs where it was 'only' 27! (We had bagged up new mattress for early morning return so had no choice)

Flutterby345 Fri 20-Jun-25 13:39:14

Just saw in a friend's house a bubbly plastic mat on the floor. When the dog lies on it it activates some cooling chemical in it. Surely there must be similar for people.

Astitchintime Fri 20-Jun-25 13:44:09

If there’s a breeze then our windows are open…….roman blind will be lowered where the sun is on windows but otherwise I encourage the fresh air……seen too may heat related collapses to want to risk having one myself.

LovesBach Fri 20-Jun-25 13:44:37

A fresh air fiend who dislikes high temperatures very much, I persisted in having windows wide open in hot weather to allow whatever breeze there might be to come in. I was persuaded to try the methods used in hot countries, and now we have all doors and windows open early in the morning, cooling and refreshing the house, and as soon as the sun starts to warm the front windows, they are closed, blinds lowered and curtains drawn. It works better. I can't say that the rooms are comfortably cool on the most scorching of days, and we use fans in every room, but this method keeps the temperatures lower than they were.

yogitree Fri 20-Jun-25 13:47:52

escaped. You can get cool mats online. Here is our Orla enjoying hers. She has 2 that she arranges herself on to suit her needs.

leeds22 Fri 20-Jun-25 13:51:15

Our windows are open to get a through draft. Curtains will be nearly closed when the sun comes round this evening. I have promised myself not to moan about the heatwave, it will soon be back to normal!

Dee1012 Fri 20-Jun-25 13:51:35

escaped

Whiff

escaped have you got any freezer packs you could put under some towels so your dog could lie on to cool down. I don't know if this is a silly suggestion as I don't own pets .

Thanks Whiff, a wet towel on the floor is the way to go on this. Somehow owners have cooling jackets the dog wears. We have a garden hose, but I think care needs to be taken when dousing with cold water. At the moment he is under the table.

I bought some of these the other year - cooling mats;
amzn.eu/d/dma4Qig

The dogs really seem to like them and they do help!

Knittypamela Fri 20-Jun-25 13:52:51

When abroad on holiday the chambermaids always close the curtains and balcony doors in the rooms. They know better than us, being used to the heat.

LovesBach Fri 20-Jun-25 13:52:57

yogitree

*escaped*. You can get cool mats online. Here is our Orla enjoying hers. She has 2 that she arranges herself on to suit her needs.

How difficult to not have an outfit with a zip in this weather - poor dogs! I have a much more primitive method than the smart cooling pads - a pile of old worn tea towels. I run them under the cold tap, wring them out, and then drape them over a hot dog - have used this method for years and the dogs always seem deeply grateful. When the towel warms up or dries, a fresh one replaces it.

Growing0ldDisgracefully Fri 20-Jun-25 14:00:40

Our house tends to stay cool, even with the patio door and windows open, in fact we joke about going outside to warm up!
We are currently in our caravan in warm and sunny Devon, so have all the windows, roof hatches and door open, built in ceiling fan and a desk fan going, or we would be stewing in our own juices!
The coolest place, where I am currently chilling, is in the shade of the adjoining hedge, and very nice it is too, with a cool drink to hand. 😊

Freya5 Fri 20-Jun-25 14:01:55

My windows all open for breeze. Curtains shut in south west facing bedroom, mid afternoon in SW facing kitchen, French doors open,shutters closed , but vented to let breeze in. These ridiculous instructions to keep windows closed are raising temperatures in homes when the advise should be to keep them cool. That's my choice anway, works for me, not had any red face or sweating fits yet which would happen if you're locked up in a sweet box.

grandMattie Fri 20-Jun-25 14:03:14

sodapop

Couldn't make up my mind is it lie or lay ? Help please pedants.

It’s usually “lie fun” and “lay an egg” (also a table 😮)

grandMattie Fri 20-Jun-25 14:03:37

Lie DOWN!

Angelafeet Fri 20-Jun-25 14:06:06

I think it’s balance….as people say depending on outside temp and orientation of the sun. Also today we have a breeze. I def need to let that in

Norah Fri 20-Jun-25 14:06:21

Windows shut, curtains closed on sunny side.

And small portable air con.

www.aircondirect.co.uk/ct/heating-and-air-conditioning/air-conditioners/portable

petra Fri 20-Jun-25 14:17:38

Kevin McCloud was on the radio yesterday explaining how heat transfer works. He went all the way back to the Roman times. Very interesting.

Freya5 Fri 20-Jun-25 14:27:34

Freya5

My windows all open for breeze. Curtains shut in south west facing bedroom, mid afternoon in SW facing kitchen, French doors open,shutters closed , but vented to let breeze in. These ridiculous instructions to keep windows closed are raising temperatures in homes when the advise should be to keep them cool. That's my choice anway, works for me, not had any red face or sweating fits yet which would happen if you're locked up in a sweet box.

Sweat box. Fat fingers!

Libertie Fri 20-Jun-25 14:31:49

The easiest way to find out is to experiment with keeping windows closed or open. There are so many variables that what might be good for one might not be good for another.

jocork Fri 20-Jun-25 14:32:00

My house is relatively cool as the living room faces East. It gets the morning sun so I left the curtains closed this morning until I was about to go out. South facing side only has a window in the kitchen and one in the spare bedroom. The other main room which is west facing I don't use as it is very damp and full of junk. When we moved here we had a damp course put in on the North wall of the original part of the house - the extension being OK. It was guaranteed for 10 years. It was aboout 10 years later the damp started to reappear! By then I was living here alone and just stopped using the damp front room as I can't afford the work that is needed, or cope with the upheaval that would result! I just live in hope that a bit of the dampness will be dried up by this heat.

jocork Fri 20-Jun-25 14:33:20

Not sure what image is coming soon. I didn't add one as far as I know!

jocork Fri 20-Jun-25 14:34:44

Ah somethingthat popped up on my screen before I posted. No idea where it came from!