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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?

JamesandJon33 Fri 20-Jun-25 19:01:28

We had a South African family living next door. They always had all windows, curtains, blinds etc closed in hot weather.

BlueBelle Fri 20-Jun-25 18:29:49

‘I shit curtains and leave windows open’ is it because of the smell Bekstar and can I ask is it painful do the curtain rings get in the way ? 🤣

Why shut the sun and warmth out our old bones need some warmth I can’t get enough

Kamj Fri 20-Jun-25 18:16:37

It works, I close and pull, the rooms stay cooler

Bekstar Fri 20-Jun-25 18:09:19

Mines been lovely and cool inside. I shit curtains and leave windows open. I get a little breeze but stops the sun from heating the room up.

hugshelp Fri 20-Jun-25 17:53:46

I close the windows when it's hotter outside than in, but open them as soon as the opposite is true. Also close blinds and curtains on windows the sun is on.

usgranny Fri 20-Jun-25 17:47:39

When I was a child air conditioning was rare in midwestern US homes. Windows were open at night with a window fan in place. A box fan could be placed in the window if those aren't available there or any fan put near the window. A window or 2 would be opened across the house to create a cross breeze. Then as the day warmed up all windows and doors would be closed to keep in the cool. Fans were run in all rooms. Our summers were very hot and humid but this method along with lots of cold drinks kept us comfortable enough.

GrannyGravy13 Fri 20-Jun-25 16:55:03

BlueBelle

Open windows and open curtains why wouldn’t I ? I ve been waiting for summer for many cold months and I welcome it with open arms
Bring on as much sun and warmth in my old bones as possible
Why would I shut it all out ?
Bring it on

I agree, I adore the summer, winter goes on forever. I make the most of these glorious warm/hot days.

Whitewavemark2 Fri 20-Jun-25 16:42:09

Oh yes a paddle pool is good

MayBee70 Fri 20-Jun-25 16:37:17

escaped

I agree Whitewavemark2, that warmer countries have experience, and gadgets to go with it too. Here in France, our house has shutters that are electrically operated. I leave little gaps for any breeze to circulate. Currently it is 30 degrees outside my bedroom, but cooler inside.
The dog is my main worry. Even the tiled floors where he lies down get very warm in this heat.

You probably know this anyway but I only found out recently. Always cool a dog down by putting water on its feet. I used to pour water over my dogs back which is not good for them.

BlueBelle Fri 20-Jun-25 16:32:03

Open windows and open curtains why wouldn’t I ? I ve been waiting for summer for many cold months and I welcome it with open arms
Bring on as much sun and warmth in my old bones as possible
Why would I shut it all out ?
Bring it on

mokryna Fri 20-Jun-25 16:27:05

Versailles is 32+ on the shady balcony at the moment, all windows and blinds closed as well as exterior doors, but the blind is up in the room I am in. However, all internal doors are open for an air flow 25c.

Pilgrimandrew Fri 20-Jun-25 15:30:44

Open the windows otherwise you get the 'greenhouse' effect. Best let the air circulate which is healthier too

Fairlandia Fri 20-Jun-25 14:56:21

UK houses are mainly designed and built to retain heat. Obviously in generally warmer places, houses are built to mitigate it. I agree with opening the cooler side’s windows earlier in the day & keeping the ones in the direct sun closed.

HowVeryDareYou2 Fri 20-Jun-25 14:45:17

We have the back door wide open all day, and every window in the house open, too, for a draught. Sleeping with only a sheet on at night.

GrannyGravy13 Fri 20-Jun-25 14:42:50

All windows open, ceiling fans on in bedrooms, curtains/blinds closed on sunny sides.

HeavenLeigh Fri 20-Jun-25 14:40:50

All windows shut blinds shut fans in every room cooling mats for all our pets

escaped Fri 20-Jun-25 14:38:02

36 degrees here now. I popped out in the car and the air con made it the coolest place, apart from the supermarket, bliss!

Thanks for the doggy suggestions. The bigger the dog, the more surface area to cool!

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

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

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 14:32:00

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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