When we talk about home insulation, we usually think of protecting ourselves from low temperatures—and, therefore, from the cold. But in the summer, the heat from outside can also seep into the rooms of our home and compromise our comfort. That’s why it’s essential to prepare your home to maintain a comfortable temperature so it doesn’t turn into an “oven” during the summer months.

In short, at CULMIA, we want you to be prepared at all times so that your home is always at the optimal temperature, no matter what time of year it is. So below, you’ll find the best recommendations and tips on how to insulate your home from the heat.

Tips for Insulating a House Against the Heat

Good insulation starts with the windows and doors

In both winter and summer, the goal is to be able to create a “microclimate” inside our home: warmth during the cold months and cooler temperatures during the hot months. So it’s essential that there be no energy exchange between the inside and outside of our home.

And what are the key areas? Well, obviously, windows and doors. When it comes to windows, opt for those with double glazing and, if possible, those that also feature a thermal break. In addition to providing a double layer of insulating glass, these are separated by a poor thermal conductor, so they’ll insulate much better and reduce energy loss.

As for the doors, make sure they fit properly and are completely airtight. Check that there are no cracks, and add weatherstripping (flexible strips) around them so there are no gaps between the frame and the door itself or between the floor and the door.

Watch out for the roof

Whether your home is a single-family home, a penthouse, or on the top floor of an apartment building, the roof is a cause for concern. In the summer, the sun will shine directly on it, so if it isn’t well insulated, the interior can quickly turn into an “oven.”

In these cases, there are various solutions, such as installing double-layer reflective aluminum foil, layers of polyethylene, or layers of other materials, such as glass wool or mineral wool. Or even applying paint with different properties, such as rubber-based paint or anti-condensation paint.

What type of insulation works best for the floor?

The floor is another key thermal bridge in the home, so if you don’t find it comfortable from a thermal standpoint, consider making renovations to improve its performance. To do this, make sure it is both compression-resistant and thermally resistant.

Its compressive strength means you can use it normally and place weight on it without any problems. And its thermal resistance indicates the material’s ability to retain heat and prevent it from transferring to another material—such as the furniture it comes into contact with.

The sun shouldn’t shine directly into your house

In winter, we seek out the sun; in summer, we need to keep it under control. What does this mean? It means we have to rely on elements such as blinds, shades, awnings, pergolas, etc., to block the sun’s rays and thus prevent the interior of the rooms from overheating.

If you have a terrace, you might consider installing a spacious pergola to provide adequate shade; for a balcony, a good awning might do the trick. And for windows and doors, choose blinds and curtains. What’s more, you can change the curtains depending on the time of year: in winter, you can opt for thicker, darker fabrics, and in summer, for light, airy fabrics in light colors.

As long as your house is closed up, lower the temperature

During the hottest hours of the day—and provided your home is properly insulated—try to create a“microclimate” with a comfortable temperature. If you have air conditioning, keep it set at a stable temperature between 24°C and 26°C. If not, try alternatives such as fans, evaporative coolers, heat pumps, or underfloor cooling systems, etc.

Decorate with plants

Get some houseplants to decorate your home. In addition to bringing life and cheer to your rooms, they’ll do a great job of cooling things down during the hot months—something you’ll really appreciate. That’s because, in addition to absorbing the sun’s rays and providing shade, they also humidify the air and help regulate the indoor temperature.

Be clear about when to ventilate and when to insulate

The orientation of your home is important so you know how to adjust accordingly. Windows facing east will receive more heat in the morning, while those facing west will be exposed to more sunlight in the afternoon.

In any case, always keep in mind that the early morning hours (until 9:00 or 10:00 at the latest) and the evening are ideal times to ventilate the rooms. During these times, it’s a good idea to open the windows and doors, especially if they face opposite directions so you can create drafts that cool the house.

During the sunniest hours of the day, make sure to insulate your home properly: close doors and windows, lower the blinds, extend the awning, etc. Do whatever it takes to keep the high outdoor temperatures from taking over the inside of your rooms as well.

Remove any rugs that aren’t made of wool

Rugs keep the cold out and provide thermal comfort during the winter months, but in the summer they aren’t usually very effective at insulating a home from the heat— especially if they’re made of a material other than wool.

Wool is a thermoregulatory fabric, so it keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer. Acrylic fabrics, on the other hand, only insulate against cold temperatures, which means they can actually make you feel even hotter during the summer months.

Decorate in the most summery way possible

In addition to removing rugs, also get rid of items that make the room feel warm and absorb moisture during these months : cushions, blankets, pillowcases, etc. Opt for breathable, cool fabrics like cotton, linen, silk, or hemp. They’ll be very useful for creating that atmosphere of well-being you’re looking for.

And when it comes to the color of your rooms, consider painting them in white or light shades, since, in addition to absorbing less light, they also create a mental sense of greater freshness. In fact, you can use insulating paint to achieve this.

As their name suggests, they are composed of insulating materials, such as ceramic microspheres, aerogels, or cork particles, and when applied, they interrupt energy flows caused by conduction. In this way, they insulate the surface and break thermal bridges. However, always keep this rule in mind: if you’re looking to insulate against summer heat, you should paint on the outside, not the inside; and if you need to insulate against winter cold, it’s best to paint on the inside.

Turn off the appliances if you’re not using them

Electrical appliances are small sources of heat in and of themselves. So in the summer, use only the essentials and try not to leave them on if you’re not using them. Not even on standby, because they still consume power in that state and, therefore, give off heat.

Take Advantage of Technology

To properly manage some of the aspects we’ve already discussed—with the goal of insulating your home from the heat—you can use home automation systems. If you turn your home into a smart home, you’ll be able to schedule the air conditioner to turn on or off at specific times, as well as raise or lower the blinds. That way, you won’t have to worry about it every day, and you’ll also make your home more energy-efficient.

Easily beat the summer heat

Here are our recommendations on how to insulate your home from the heat. We hope you find them useful, and don’t hesitate to put them into practice so that high temperatures don’t prevent you from enjoying all the advantages and benefits of your home.

We recommend:

• Energy-Saving Measures for the Home
• How to Save on Heating: More Efficient Alternatives!