DIY heat proofing: Get your home ready for the Winters.

Winters are here. Keep your house warm and cozy with these effective DIY tips that you can tackle without professional help. These methods involve improving insulation, optimizing ventilation, and installing simple yet effective shading devices, all of which will help you maintain a cooler home during hot weather.

Let’s dive in.

1. Install Reflective Window Films

Reflective window films are a simple, cost-effective way to reduce heat gain through your windows. These films are designed to reflect solar radiation, blocking a significant amount of heat without blocking light. Here’s how you can install them yourself:

Materials:

• Reflective window film

• Spray bottle with water and a few drops of dish soap

• Squeegee

• Utility knife

Steps:

1. Clean the Windows: Thoroughly clean the windows where you plan to apply the film to remove dirt, dust, and smudges.

2. Measure and Cut the Film: Measure the window dimensions and cut the film to size, leaving about half an inch of extra material on each side.

3. Apply the Film: Spray the window with soapy water. Peel off the backing from the film and apply it to the window. The soapy water will allow you to adjust the film into the correct position.

4. Smooth It Out: Use a squeegee to smooth out any air bubbles, starting from the center and working towards the edges.

5. Trim the Edges: Once the film is in place and smooth, use a utility knife to trim any excess film along the edges of the window.

Benefits: Reflective films can block up to 70% of solar heat and also reduce glare and UV damage to furniture.

Video Tutorial: How to Apply Window Film

2. Use Thermal or Blackout Curtains

Installing thermal or blackout curtains can significantly reduce the amount of heat entering your home through windows. These curtains have special layers that block sunlight and insulate the room.

Materials:

• Blackout or thermal curtains

• Curtain rods

Steps:

1. Choose the Right Curtains: Pick thermal or blackout curtains that complement your interior. These are readily available online or at home improvement stores.

2. Install Curtain Rods: If you don’t already have curtain rods in place, install them just above the window frame, ensuring they are wide enough to fully cover the window.

3. Hang the Curtains: Hang the curtains, making sure they cover the window completely. The fabric should extend beyond the window on all sides for maximum effectiveness.

4. Close During Peak Heat: Keep the curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day to block out sunlight and heat. Open them in the evening to let cooler air circulate.

Benefits: Thermal curtains can reduce heat gain by up to 33%, providing both comfort and energy savings.

Video Tutorial: How to Hang Thermal Curtains

3. Create Cross Ventilation

Cross ventilation is an easy way to promote airflow and keep your home cool without the need for air conditioning. It involves opening windows or doors on opposite sides of your home to create a cooling breeze.

Steps:

1. Identify Opposite Windows/Doors: Determine which windows or doors in your home are aligned on opposite sides.

2. Open Windows: Open windows on both sides of the house during cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening.

3. Use Fans to Direct Airflow: Place fans near windows or doors to help push hot air out and pull cooler air in. Point one fan facing outwards near the hottest window and another facing inwards on the opposite side to encourage cross-ventilation.

Benefits: This method uses natural airflow to cool your home, making it energy-efficient and cost-effective.

Video Tutorial: How to Cross Ventilate Your Home

4. Install Weatherstripping

Gaps around windows and doors can let warm air seep into your home. Sealing these gaps with weatherstripping can help maintain a cooler indoor environment by keeping hot air out and cool air in.

Materials:

• Weatherstripping tape

• Scissors or utility knife

Steps:

1. Inspect Doors and Windows: Look for gaps around your doors and windows where warm air might enter. Pay special attention to the bottom of doors and around window frames.

2. Clean the Surface: Clean the surface where you’ll be applying the weatherstripping to ensure it sticks properly.

3. Cut Weatherstripping: Measure and cut the weatherstripping to fit the length of the door or window.

4. Apply the Weatherstripping: Peel the backing off the adhesive side of the weatherstripping and press it firmly into place along the edges of doors and windows.

5. Test for Leaks: Once applied, close the door or window and feel for any remaining drafts. If necessary, apply additional strips.

Benefits: This is a low-cost solution that improves insulation, preventing both heat and cold air from entering or escaping your home.

Video Tutorial: How to Install Weatherstripping

5. Make DIY Sunshades or Reflective Screens

Another simple way to heatproof your house is to make your own sunshades or reflective screens for windows. This helps block out the sun’s rays before they can enter your home.

Materials:

• Reflective fabric or emergency blankets (Mylar sheets)

• Adhesive hooks or suction cups

• Measuring tape

• Scissors

Steps:

1. Measure the Windows: Use a measuring tape to determine the size of the windows you want to cover.

2. Cut the Reflective Fabric: Cut the Mylar sheets or reflective fabric to match the dimensions of the windows.

3. Install Hooks or Suction Cups: Attach adhesive hooks or suction cups around the window frame. These will hold the reflective screens in place.

4. Hang the Screens: Hang the reflective fabric or Mylar sheets over the windows, securing them with the hooks or suction cups.

Benefits: Reflective materials block up to 90% of solar radiation, reducing heat gain and keeping your rooms cooler.

Video Tutorial: DIY Solar Reflective Window Screen

6. Insulate Your Attic

Hot air often enters homes through the attic, especially if it’s not properly insulated. Adding a layer of reflective insulation can help reduce the amount of heat that gets into your living spaces.

Materials:

• Reflective foil insulation

• Staple gun and staples

• Measuring tape

• Utility knife

Steps:

1. Measure the Attic Space: Measure the area of your attic where you’ll be installing the insulation.

2. Cut the Reflective Foil: Cut the reflective foil insulation to fit between the rafters or on the attic floor.

3. Install the Insulation: Use a staple gun to attach the reflective foil insulation to the rafters or lay it flat across the attic floor. Be sure to overlap the edges slightly to ensure complete coverage.

4. Check for Gaps: Ensure that the insulation covers the entire surface without gaps, as this will reduce its effectiveness.

Benefits: Reflective insulation can reduce attic temperatures by up to 30%, significantly lowering the overall temperature of your home.

Video Tutorial: How to Install Attic Insulation

7. Seal Gaps Around Electrical Outlets and Pipes

Even small gaps around electrical outlets, pipes, and vents can let in hot air. Sealing these areas will help keep your home cooler.

Materials:

• Caulk or foam sealant

• Caulk gun

• Expanding foam spray

Steps:

1. Identify Gaps: Look for gaps around electrical outlets, pipes, and vents where hot air might be entering.

2. Seal Small Gaps: For small gaps around outlets, use caulk and a caulk gun to fill in the spaces.

3. Fill Larger Gaps: For larger gaps around pipes or vents, use expanding foam spray to fill the gaps.

4. Allow to Dry: Let the caulk or foam dry before using the outlets or pipes.

Benefits: This is a quick and easy way to improve insulation and prevent warm air from entering your home.

Video Tutorial: How to Seal Gaps Around Pipes

Conclusion

These DIY heatproofing techniques are relatively easy to implement and can make a noticeable difference in maintaining a cooler home during hot weather. With a few basic materials and some hands-on work, you can improve your home’s insulation, reduce heat gain, and enhance ventilation, all while saving on energy costs.