As the UK braces for another heatwave following high temperatures in May and June, homeowners are seeking effective ways to cool their properties without resorting to expensive or environmentally damaging air conditioning. Experts recommend a range of low-cost, sustainable shading solutions that can reduce indoor temperatures significantly.
Why Shading Matters First
Tom Greenhill, an engineer, environmentalist, and author of the Heatwave Toolkit website, emphasizes that air conditioning is not a viable solution for everyone. “Air conditioning will cool the privileged but will not work for the many – or the environment,” he says. Even if you choose to buy an air conditioner, powerful passive measures like shading windows will make it more effective.
Stuart Dantzic, vice-president of the British Blind & Shutter Association, draws a parallel with heating: “We don’t heat a building without insulating it so why are we cooling a building, whether that’s with a fan or air conditioning, without shading it first?”
Start in the Loft
Where you place shading is more important than the product itself. External shading can reject up to three times more solar heat than an equivalent internal blind. Greenhill advises covering skylights first, as they receive direct sun for most of the day. He bought £80 Velux external awning blinds for his Victorian terrace loft and noticed a significant difference. Manual anti-heat blinds from Velux promise indoor temperatures “up to 4C cooler” for £110, while motorised aluminium shutters cost £530 plus £166 for electric control.
For renters or those on a budget, a simple Ikea £5 fitted sheet can work. Bojana Bajzelj from Exeter used a king-size Bärglim sheet over her skylight, estimating a 2C to 4C temperature drop in her kitchen. Repurposing old towels, curtains, or bedsheets is also effective.
Set Sail
For large bifold or patio doors, a solar sail—a fabric stretch suspended between walls or posts—offers a stylish solution. Greenhill recommends stainless steel eyelets, carabiner clips, and a sail for about £20. Kemp Sails in Dorset sells custom shades starting at £136 for a one-metre by two-metre rectangle, while Amazon offers similar sizes for under £20. Unlike solar-reflecting film, sails can be removed in winter to allow heat and light.
Rig Up a Camouflage Net
A camouflage net, available on Amazon for around £10, can be draped over windows or skylights to block direct sun while allowing daylight and ventilation. It can be secured with zip ties and doubled over for extra shade. Shade cloth used for plants is another option, offering visibility through its mesh.
Clip Shades on Sashes
Greenhill recommended Shaded’s £89 mini awnings to neighbours whose baby was hospitalised with heat-related illness during the June heatwave. The awnings clip onto windows from the inside and adjust to various widths. Though currently sold out, the product will be restocked in two weeks, with 10% off for two or more.
Invest in External Blinds
External blinds don’t lower existing temperatures but prevent further heating, says Dantzic. For an average set of bifold doors, an external roller blind costs around £3,000 to £4,000. Adding a weather sensor for £250 ensures blinds close automatically in response to light levels, preventing overheating.
Awning It
Awnings, once common on Victorian shop fronts, provide flexibility by projecting outward, allowing use of doors while creating shaded outdoor space. Prices range from £4,000 to £6,000 for typical bifold doors. Dantzic notes that modern buildings designed to retain heat exacerbate overheating, making awnings a valuable long-term investment.
Get Flash with Shutters
External shutters, common in hotter climates, are gaining interest in the UK. David D’Ambrosio of the Scottish Shutter Company says interior wooden shutters start at £550 for a typical living-room window, while external roller shutters cost £1,100 and aluminium shutters £1,450. External systems are more expensive due to weather exposure and motorisation. A customer in Perthshire with peeling kitchen island coating opted for internal blinds after external fitting proved impractical.
These seven methods demonstrate that effective home cooling is achievable without air conditioning, offering both cost savings and environmental benefits.
