With winter firmly established and temperatures plunging to sub-zero, you may have noticed cold draughts tickling your ankles at home; if so, be reassured that youre not alone, as Britains homes are amongst the least well-insulated in Europe. However, reassurance wont warm you up and turning up the heating is only a temporary solution that will cost you.
Essentially, you need to stop the cold air from getting in and the warm air from getting out and, fortunately, some simple tricks with the furniture could help to solve the problem.
Expose The Radiators
Tempting though it might be to position your favourite chair in front of a radiator so you can keep warm, radiators which are concealed by furniture are unable to supply the warmth that is necessary to gently heat the entire room. Repositioning radiators is complex and expensive, so plan the layout of the room around them so that it is the air, rather than the sofa, that warms up. In short, if you cant see a radiator, move the furniture away!
Install Radiator Shelves
Warm air rises! Unfortunately, this can mean that you notice the draughts more, especially if your home has high ceilings where the warmth gathers high up. A radiator shelf is a cost-effective and uncomplicated way to encourage warm air to flow into the room, rather than upwards. Its particularly effective if you live in an older property where the radiator is illogically positioned just below a window, causing rising heat to disappear behind the curtains.
Replace Or Line Curtains
Block The Gaps Around Doors
As well as windows, doors can also be guilty when it comes to welcoming cold draughts into your home, so hang a thick curtain over all external doors (even if they are modern uPVC or composite types) and any internal ones where cold air trickles through the gaps. Many older people will also recall homemade draught excluders laid in front of doors like oversized sausages; nowadays, there is a great variety of similar products available that can perfectly complement your homes interior.
Insulate Exposed Floorboards
Bare floorboards might be part of your homes interior design, but they can also account for significant heat loss, as well as providing open access for draughts which can seep through the gaps. One solution is to fill the gaps between the boards with a silicone-based filler that will allow for some movement while forming a draught resistant barrier. Alternatively, consider placing a large, thick rug over the exposed floorboards during the colder weather; it can easily be removed when warmer temperatures arrive in spring.
By taking some simple, inexpensive steps with the furniture, you can make a significant difference to the living conditions in your home, keeping cold draughts at bay and preventing the warmth from escaping.
Do you need help with designing and planning a warm, cosy home? Ring BDS today to get started!
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Image source: Unsplash
