*Collaborative Post
As of 2022, a standard UK house repair costs an average of £848. It is the more reason homeowners take preventive measures to protect their residences from damage. Even though sun damage is not that talked about, it destroys homes, making it necessary to take measures that withstand or minimise the effect. For example, with a little observation, you will notice that modern buildings often have various forms of external and internal sun shading. They serve different purposes and come in a wide budget spectrum. Listed here are some tips when you decide to upgrade your home with the sun in mind.
Strategically-positioned eaves
If your house was built facing the true north, you might have more sunlight streaming into your interiors. In this case, getting eaves is a solution to consider. Eaves are overhanging roofs manufactured to provide external shading from the sun. They are attached to the building at vantage points to cast shadows into the interior while dispelling rays from the sun. Because they extend beyond the structure of the house, they automatically help achieve suitable indoor temperatures. They do this by absorbing the heat from the external environment and acting as sun barriers between the outdoors and interior areas.
During the summer, well-positioned eaves can help reduce your air conditioning consumption. That’s because their role as heat dispellers support the work of your air conditioning system. Sometimes, building engineers install roofing with a deep slope to create the effect of eaves. Those also work quite well, like traditional eaves. However, the degree of slope must be deep enough to create an overhanging effect on the sides of the house.
Use blackout curtains, blinds, and shutters to control indoor heat
Indoor furniture, carpets, sofas, and even your unlined curtains are at risk of damage from continuous sun exposure. They could fade, crack or tear (fabric items) from repeated exposure. Fortunately, there are solutions to this problem. Various window and door coverings will help protect your interiors from soaking up the sun. Blackout curtains have tight weaves with double lining to block light and heat. Another option is to find locally made patio blinds to provide shading whenever convenient.
Make use of climbers or wall vines
Over the years, there have been debates about the use of vines and climbing plants around the house. One side argues that they increase the risks of damage to gutters, wood siding, painted walls, and houses in damp locations. Another angle of the debate is the belief that vines and climbers are no problem as long as the house has good sun exposure. However, no homeowner wants to see the damage the sun causes to the building.
This is why some households prefer more sustainable options like climbers. They are excellent for providing the needed shade and protection for the surface of a house. If you’re concerned about aerial roots discolouring the external painted walls, there is a way to resolve that situation. First, you can purchase another climbing plant variety that grows without aerial roots. Secondly, you can forget about repainting the house and allow the climbers to obscure those discolourations. Lastly, there are specialised paints that also offer surface protection. You may want to look into that.