How to Keep Your Home Cool with Window Blinds this Summer
Although it seems wrong to complain about sunny weather in the UK, in the hottest months of the year temperatures can soon soar, especially inside the home. A simple way to keep temperatures low in the heat though is to use window blinds and dressings to transform your home into a cool retreat.
Cool colours
White is well known as a heat reflector so to keep the heat low in your home opt for white window blinds or pale shades such as lemon yellow or biscuit. Choosing darker colours of blinds is a good idea for winter but they can intensify the heat in summer so make sure you switch to lighter colours during warmer months.
Keep closed
South facing windows can be real sun traps as they will have the sun shining on them throughout the day so although it may seem wrong to block out the sun, make sure you keep the shades in these rooms drawn to keep the heat low. Rooms with east facing windows are warmer in the morning and west facing windows get the sun in an evening, so if you don't keep your blinds drawn you could find sleeping very uncomfortable. Air conditioning and fans can help to cool a room but it's far more effective to keep the heat out to start with. Another way to stop the heat from reaching your house is to invest in outdoor awnings to keep larger windows such as patio doors cool, as large expanses of glass can soon make your home feel like a green house.
Solar shades
Solar window blinds are one of the most effective ways of keeping your home cool in hot weather. Solar window blinds prevent harmful UV rays from passing through the window which can keep temperature down and also protect your soft furnishing from fading. Sun shade blinds come in a range of styles including roller blinds, vertical shades and pleated blinds so whatever your taste you will find UV protective blinds to suit. Blinds may block out the sun but this often means that the view is also blocked, which is especially annoying if you have a great view that you have to miss out on because of the heat. If you want to be able to appreciate the view and have a cooler home then opt for sheer sun screens which allow you to look out without letting the heat in. Sun shade blinds also eliminate the glare from the sun in your home which prevents the sun from shining on computer and television screens.
Don't forget that the best way to keep your home cool in hot weather is to keep the sun out so it doesn't get a chance to warm up your rooms. Investing in pale coloured solar window blinds will ensure your home doesn't overheat even in the hottest summer weather.
