How to keep a south facing room cool

Why south and west facing rooms overheat

In the UK, south facing glass gets sun for most of the day, and in summer the sun is high, so it falls deep into the room through large windows and doors. West facing rooms get low, hot afternoon sun, just as the house has already warmed up. Both are lovely in spring and autumn, and difficult in July.

What helps

• Shade above the glass. On south facing glass, an overhang, awning or pergola blocks the high summer sun while letting lower winter sun in.
• Treat the glass. Solar control film reduces heat and glare from the glass itself, with no change to how the room is used.
• Blinds for the worst hours. Pale blinds closed for the hottest part of the day.
• Ventilate in the evening. Open up once the outside air is cooler.
• Think about what's by the glass. Dark floors and furniture in direct sun absorb heat and give it off later, and they fade too.

West facing rooms

Overhangs do less for west facing glass because the afternoon sun is low. Vertical shading, blinds or film on the glass usually work better.