Very cold in flat

m0t

I currently live in a 4th floor flat and it is almost too cold to live in at the moment. This seems to be caused by:

• Large windows at either end occupying a whole wall each. These are metal framed and the frames and glass are as cold as the outside. A lot of condensation forms on these windows.
• Our block has communal heating which comes on too late in the morning and evening to be of use to us. Even when the heating is on it never gets warm in the flat, we have to sit on the sofa in heavy clothes wrapped up with blankets and duvets to keep warm.

The main issue seems to be the windows quickly transferring heat to the outside. I placed a convector heater in my bedroom earlier & heated the room to a warm comfortable temperature. It took just under 15 minutes for the room to return to its previous temperature (cold enough that it was uncomfortable to change).

What are the chances of getting the landlord to do anything about the windows, is there anything we could do about them?

arbrighton

Thick curtains, layers of fleece to exclude drafts and insulate. Go over to the old style board and read various threads there.
And when you move in future- consider windows and their likely impact on the heating

m0t

arbrighton wrote: »

Thick curtains, layers of fleece to exclude drafts and insulate. Go over to the old style board and read various threads there.
And when you move in future- consider windows and their likely impact on the heating

Sadly we can't put up curtains - the landlord fitted some daft vertical blinds and we would have to drill for a curtain rail, which we aren't allowed to do.

Our next move should be to our own home (deposit saved but not much available at this time of year). At least then we would be able to fix it.

m0t

Allison_Haskins wrote: »

I think you have your answer, slanket/duvet and save for your own place.

That is the ultimate solution. Its just frustrating because until it warms up again we cant have people over.

kyana

there is stuff you can get to form a temporary 'double-glazing' effect, although i used bubble-wrap which certainly made some difference, though the world looked rather interesting for a few months!

propertyman

m0t wrote: »

Sadly we can't put up curtains - the landlord fitted some daft vertical blinds and we would have to drill for a curtain rail, which we aren't allowed to do.

Our next move should be to our own home (deposit saved but not much available at this time of year). At least then we would be able to fix it.

If the window is in a recess, then there are expanding curtain rods, or a simple shower curtain rod that is spring loaded and adjusts to the space in between. Just put an uncoloured felt pad between the end and decorations

If you removed and stored the blinds without damaging it, curtain rods, not strips, might be fitted, and then removed, and the blind replaced obscuring any holes...the risk is you pay for damage and redecoration.