How to keep a loft conversion cool

Why loft rooms overheat

Three things work against a loft room in summer. The roof itself heats up in the sun. Warm air from the rest of the house rises to the top floor. And rooflights face the sky, so they take the sun at its strongest, much like a conservatory roof.

What helps

• Insulation. Good insulation in the roof keeps heat out in summer as well as in during winter. If the room feels hot through the ceiling, it's worth having it checked.
• Ventilation. Opening rooflights on both sides of the roof, or a rooflight plus a window, let hot air escape. Overnight ventilation helps most, where it's safe.
• Rooflight blinds and awnings. Blinds made for rooflights cut glare. External awnings made for rooflights stop more heat because they shade the glass from outside.
• Solar film on rooflights. Film reduces heat and glare at the glass, and keeps the view of the sky. Rooflight glass is often laminated or coated, so the film must be chosen for it.
• Fans. A fan helps air move, particularly in a bedroom at night.