Home extensions can be notoriously chilly. For some reason, they are always colder than the main body of the house.
Fortunately, though, there are some strategies you can use to keep them warm. A combination of these will often fix the problem for you, allowing you to use the area just like any other spot in your home.
Upgrade The Windows
First, you could add Window Nation energy efficient windows. Products with special designs like these have technology that keeps heat in the room and prevents it from escaping through the material.
Many windows have an “air gap” that helps with insulation. The inside isn’t actually air but rather a type of inert gas famous for being a poor conductor of heat. It acts a bit like a vacuum because it’s so heavy, preventing heat transfer from taking place (or reducing it significantly).
Upgrade The Insulation
Next, check the insulation in the home extension. Is it up to scratch?
Many extensions feel cold because builders don’t add quality insulation to the floors, walls, and ceilings. Cutting corners here is often common because insulation is invisible, but it can also undermine more expensive interventions, like adding new windows to the property.
Spray insulation is probably the simplest to add. Other materials like glass fiber are available, but these are harder to install after the fact and come with potential health dangers.
Use Thermal Curtains
You could also try using thermal curtains to keep more warmth in your extension. These act similarly to insulation and double-glazed windows by trapping warm air inside the room and preventing it from escaping.
Thermal blinds are another option. People often use these when they want to keep heat inside during the evenings or at night.
Add A Log Burner
An attractive tip, if you’re having trouble keeping warmth in your extension, is to add a log burner. These look great while also providing a focal point and plenty of heat.
They especially make sense for properties in areas prone to extreme winter cold. When temperatures drop into the negatives, these can provide free heating (as long as you have wood on your property).
Adding radiators is another option. Long heating elements that run along the walls below the windows can be highly effective at keeping heat in the room.
Add A Warm Roof
If you can, you might also want to add a warm roof system. These are popular among homeowners with extensions because they mimic the insulating properties of a conventional roof.
Usually, you can build a “warm roof” by placing insulation between the ceiling and where the heat ultimately escapes. This tiny passage keeps heat in the house, allowing you to enjoy the environment more.
Use Infrared Paint
Finally, you can keep more warmth in your home extension by using infrared paint. These paints reflect incoming long-wave radiation in the visible and near-infrared range.
The effect of this is to push heat back into the room, making it warmer. Researchers have known about it for a long time, but now it is becoming mainstream.
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