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Property/DIY

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Is this weather making anyone else consider changes to their house?

136 replies

Taggiesbeefdaube · 25/06/2026 23:10

I’ve had a quote for air on for the bedrooms which isn’t cheap (£13k) but is doable. The units would also give heat in the winter. We have solar panels so don’t needto worry about the cost of running the air con.

also considering shutters or brise soleil (mini pergola like things above the south facing windows)

I have thermal blinds on the biggest windows which stop some of the heat in the house.

Wondering about planting for shade closer to the house.

OP posts:
deplorabelle · 26/06/2026 05:25

I made a huge list of things I wanted to do to our house after the heat of last year but haven't actioned any of them so far. Top of the list is window shades and external blinds and shutters, but definitely now more seriously entertaining air to air heat source instead of air to water when it's time to replace the boiler.

We already have solar panels, solar hot water, a portable air con unit and a few thermal blinds / improvised solutions on the inside of the windows. The garden is planned with shade in mind and I hope to plant more climbing plants on the walls.

Whyherewego · 26/06/2026 05:46

Yes I have a double height window that gets full sun in the afternoon and trying to work out how rubbish a brise soleil would look on it. I like it a lot in the winter because it makes the house brighter.
Also contemplating aircon but can't work out how to site the outdoor unit.
But I think these summers will get worse not better

Spargaszezon · 26/06/2026 06:00

I’m trying to resist buying aircons as I feel they’re so counterproductive to global warming and debating between shutters, an awning to shade the bifolds (they might not be trendy but I like the retro look of them) or a pergola (but not sure I want to look at that for the rest of the year, I love the light that comes in). We already have an air source heat pump and solar panels but the windows need some sort of cover.

Supersleepysheepy · 26/06/2026 06:05

No, it never seems to be a sustained heat and our downstairs stays cool anyway. I don't like aircon as I find it makes the air taste funny, so we just use a fan if it is ever really hot. At times I've lived in several different hotter countries with no air con previously, so I don't view it as a necessity. The most important thing I think is managing you curtains, blinds and windows through the day.

WhereAreWeNow · 26/06/2026 06:09

I have been wondering about shutters. I'm not generally keen on them but wondering if they might help a bit in this heat.

O00ps · 26/06/2026 06:48

South facing rear here and now have a pergola at the rear patio doors but that's more for enjoyment than shade on the house. Seriously need a solution for the bedrooms but outward opening windows mean not being able to use external shutters or role down internal ones like in other countries, has anyone found a shutter solution that works for UK windows and looks good?

TeenToTwenties · 26/06/2026 06:55

I have been wondering about external shutters and removing some carpets. I would rather stop the heat coming in and being retained than use power to get it out again.

ThatBlueJumper · 26/06/2026 06:58

I’m getting ceiling fans for all the rooms. My mum has one in living room and cools the room more than even 2 fans in it. Collecting first one from Argos today! Hoping to get all of them done by end of July.
Shutters might be something to look into to get done before next summer. I won’t be able to afford it this summer and want to prioritise ceiling fans

ThatBlueJumper · 26/06/2026 07:03

O00ps · 26/06/2026 06:48

South facing rear here and now have a pergola at the rear patio doors but that's more for enjoyment than shade on the house. Seriously need a solution for the bedrooms but outward opening windows mean not being able to use external shutters or role down internal ones like in other countries, has anyone found a shutter solution that works for UK windows and looks good?

I was thinking of internal shutter blinds… to gradually replace our curtains over the next year ish.

HelloCheekyCat · 26/06/2026 07:07

DH is going to get quotes for fitting air con in Sept once the weather has cooled, we have a portable unit but it only cools one room & is too noisy to use overnight.

I'll probably suggest we look at solar panels too but that might have to wait depending on the cost of the air con

We installed a ceiling fan in feb, that was a must when we redecorated, it's been a saviour this week

TulipCat · 26/06/2026 07:13

I am getting proper air con fitted in September. I think it will be a good investment given the way the summers are going, and will enhance the sale ability of my house should I move.

readingmakesmehappy · 26/06/2026 07:15

Probably going to put solar film on the glass roof in our kitchen. Not sure we’d get permission for external shutters or that they’d work on our windows.

AllJoyAndNoFun · 26/06/2026 07:36

We are positioned in a corner of a north facing plot so the house stays relatively cool. That said, we just had the roof done with modern insulation and that has helped as well. I may look at ceiling fans- we had them in our last house and we have the ceiling height for them. The problem I find is that either you need a separate light source, or you have to get an integrated one and live with crappy light the rest of the time because I've never found one with a good integrated light. On a "try to make it a positive " note we also just got 20 solar panels.

Cant do shutters without replacing all the windows (open outwards). Could do plantations but they're not as effective and block a lot of light.

WeddingInvitation · 26/06/2026 07:39

in the NW so it’s not as bad, but I started planting for shade when moved in as have SW facing garden that gets very hot. 6 years later it’s starting to make a proper difference. There was a lot of watering in involved though.

Taggiesbeefdaube · 26/06/2026 08:37

I have a medium sized tree in a very large pot positioned on the patio and that really helps so I might get more potted trees (although the downside is the watering they require).

Its tricky when our UK houses are cold in the winter but hot in the summer.

OP posts:
Taggiesbeefdaube · 26/06/2026 08:38

ThatBlueJumper · 26/06/2026 07:03

I was thinking of internal shutter blinds… to gradually replace our curtains over the next year ish.

It might be worth keeping the curtains too since in the winter curtains make an enormous difference to retaining the heat (and look softer than just blinds alone)

Ive put two runs of curtains on my downstairs windows so we have a main pole with the heavy curtains and then a smaller pole with voiles. It helps to keep the insects out when I want the windows open in the summer.

OP posts:
hattie43 · 26/06/2026 08:40

Yes air conditioning. Primarily because it’s exhausting keeping the dogs safe

toffeeappleturnip · 26/06/2026 08:51

I'd love external shutters but I don't have the right kind of house as there would be no way of opening/closing them on the upstairs windows.

I'm contemplating an off grid set up: portable power station powered by a portable solar panel which could run a small portable air con or heater (for one room only). I could take this whole rig on holiday with me in the UK if we camp or stay in places without air con. It would also be great use in a power cut.

Augustus40 · 26/06/2026 08:52

May buy a dehumidifier next heatwave. Night time is unbearable.

Taggiesbeefdaube · 26/06/2026 08:55

Augustus40 · 26/06/2026 08:52

May buy a dehumidifier next heatwave. Night time is unbearable.

We have had the dehumidifier on. I think it helps a bit.

OP posts:
DustyMaiden · 26/06/2026 08:59

I’m moving house today, up north.

DreadedInn · 26/06/2026 09:06

Currently in Spain, have spent a lot of time looking at and talking about awnings, not in the shops, that is not my idea of a holiday, just on various flats we’ve seen and at our Airbnb.
We did however agree that the swimming pool we’re making the most of may be overkill in our suburban garden 😂

SylvanMoon · 26/06/2026 09:09

We've put ceiling fans in the bedrooms and office and screens on most windows.

BeardySchnauzer · 26/06/2026 09:13

5m wide and 2m high glass south facing - total nightmare as have to keep them fully open to prevent the greenhouse effect. Which is of course brilliant in winter!

we have been thinking about blinds for ages but I’m wondering if an awning would be better.

Dorothyperky · 26/06/2026 09:20

We have dark grey slatted blinds and some curtains.
My husband is demanding I sort out more curtains (I waited three years for them to go up!).
His family is from overseas so all windows get shut and curtains drawn. We're moving in the autumn so will put ceiling fans in with the new light fittings.