Hot weather and windows

Mary108

Hi all

I hope you're managing to stay cool (!!??).

I've seen, all over tiktok and Instagram, that the best thing to do to keep the heat away from rooms in our homes, is to spray the windows with water and attach aluminium foil to the windows, shiny side facing outwards

However, I've also read that if you have double glazed windows you shouldn't attach the foil to the inside of the windows, but to the outside, again shiny side of the foil facing outwards

Apparently using the foil inside on double glazed windows can cause an explosion / cracking

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Is bog standard foil from Home Bargains ok to use?

Advice very gratefully received

TIA

Mary

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6673795/hot-weather-and-windows

I don't see how foil could cause explosions or cracking…

but as this is MSE, instead of covering the windows with foil I'd just draw the curtains/blinds, or hang an old sheet over the outside of the window. A light/white colour would be better if possible.

CapricornLass

Draw the curtains before the sunlight hits the room, and make sure the windows are firmly shut. You can open both when the sun has moved round. Covering the windows wth foil sounds like a lot of faff to me.

One thing you can do is get up early and open all the doors and windows to get an air flow through, as the air is usually cooler than the house would be, before the day starts to heat up. it does help.

Mary108

Thanks @CapricornLass and @Section62

I'm sorry...I should have clarified. The foil idea is in addition to closing all blinds and curtains and opening windows when it's cooler outside

I haven't considered covering the windows with something pale over the outside of the windows

Thank you !

ytfcmad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6673795/hot-weather-and-windows

I've worked 30 years for a glass manufacturer, quick answer, yes you can blow a DGU doing that.

Emmia

We have curtain loose liners that keep the heat in in the winter, and the heat out in the summer when the curtains are closed. I originally bought them for insulating winter use when we had somewhat leaky windows (now replaced) but they also work well to keep the heat out in the summer. Depending on the weight/thickness/style of your curtains you might want to look at an additional liner….

Edit: these look similar to the ones we bought.

https://amzn.eu/d/0heAfKy7

FreeBear

I've got modern double glazing all round (low E coated glass) - In the summer, a fair bit of heat is reflected away, and the south facing rooms are not boiling hot. Even so, I have a small windows front & back upstairs that have been open all day and I haven't noticed the heat. Also have loads of loft insulation helping to keep heat out.
Might get a fan out tomorrow just for a bit more breeze. Sticking some bottles of frozen water behind the fan will drop the temperature for a few hours.

Mary108

Thank you all! Very much appreciated 👍🥰

jackieblack

As a general rule of thumb, if it's on Tik Tok/Instagram take it with a very large pinch of salt

FreeBear

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82047027#Comment_82047027

If it is on ANY social media site (and that includes Youtube), take with a bucket full of salt. Much of the "life hacks" are just click bait, and some are potentially dangerous.

jackieblack

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82047268#Comment_82047268

Agreed

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