To feel baffled as to why buildings don't have shutters in the UK

[DontSingSusan]

I just find it baffling that virtually no buildings in the UK have shutters.

I get that the climate is changing and they wouldn't necessarily have been needed in the past but why don't new builds have them?

Every time there's a heatwave, people are going on about AC, but shutters are a much easier, cheaper and more climate-friendly option.

It's really striking in the UK as everywhere else in Europe seems to have them.

We've got temperatures around 40 degrees all week (not in the UK) and couldn't survive without them.

It is in Scotland.

You can have them fitted, at a price. My colleague did so, to facilitate cleaning the windows in her top floor flat.

We find this - our house is always noticeably cooler inside than outside in summer. I’ve had to train myself to notice this so as not to wear too warm clothes.

That said, the house does cool down overnight due to its orientation & having some shade at different points of the day. In recent years with the hot summers we have managed this by keeping windows shut at hot times & opening them when it gets cooler & keeping curtains shut when the sun is on rooms. It’s also an older house so there is more airflow. There’s definitely a lot that can be done with passive cooling at least with some buildings although I suspect there will be an issue that some buildings just aren’t designed for a hotter climate.

As well as awning for houses, I wish that shops would start to install them too as they do make a difference when you are walking through a town or city (& look pretty). I’m fairly sure that I’ve seen historical photos with shops with awnings, which suggests that they used to be more common. We also need more street trees too for similar reasons.

The part of the UK with less sunshine 😂.

Not laughing at the sensible Scots, but what a waste of all that free energy in the SE.

Im sure, and very helpful, but the poster says every house she has lived in after having sash windows, have inward openers.

Its unusual to say the least so I would like to know what style house has these as a norm.

Maybe it's more normal in areas with high housing density because of the window cleaning then?

If you're really interested, it would be worth looking at some local area building codes for guidance.

I did so myself off the back of this interesting thread and it does seem possible I could look onto awnings/exterior shutters as my house is 70s. We are in some kind of conservation zone though so the first thing I will do is speak to the planning guy in the residents' association.

So high rise flats, European imports and passivhaus type developments.

It would be a good idea because its a nighmare to clean our bedroom window because theres a conservatory under it so the window cleaner cant get to it properly

I would have very much liked them in the middle townhouse I used to live in! Such faffing we had.

Mine don't

What sort of house do you have, are they sash windows?

I think people on here are making the distinction between windows that open inward, vs windows that open outward. Not windows that do neither, aka sliding windows like sashes or sideways sliders.

Tilt and turn, so inward opening. Edwardian house, here when we moved in ten years ago

So does any part of the window protrude outward?

Im not keen on period houses having modern windows but then practicalities are important as well.

You have the old stone sills but no part of the actual window sticks outwards, what I do like about them is it keeps the huge single panes of glass (big windows due to age of house and ceiling height) not like the modern type with the small opening window at the top, it also means the whole window opens which is good for airflow, or you have the tilt option in winter so you don't get damp

I am wondering if those who have kitchen/reception extensions with glass lanterns and/or floor to ceiling windows which don’t have any openings actually regret having these in the recent heat

Someone else with more knowledge is welcome to correct me if I am wrong but all housebuilding I see in nearby communities in Scotland have solar panels fitted as standard on their newbuild properties. Social housing and private.

There are lovely awnings for those. My parents also have fitted blinds on their conservatory.

It would be really annoying if you'd declined those options though.