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in summer but freezing in winter. Terracotta tiles tend to have a tendency to crack easily and tend to hold the heat if in direct streams of sunlight (but are great in winter). Slate or cork tiles or parquet flooring are great options for all season "friendliness". Inside, wool carpets may be great for winter, but tend to feel very "clammy" in summer and have a habit of holding odours. Instal them carefully, avoiding major sunlight rooms.

If you are not in a position to make these "building" choices, there are other options.
1. Plant small bushes near the house. They will reduce the chance of direct heat being retained in the walls. The bushes must be small and compact so that root systems do not interfere with the house foundations. Larger shade trees should be set back from the house, but check the direction of shadow. The shadow may reduce direct sunlight on windows; an advantage on the hot days.
2. Rubber backed, insulated curtains on windows are ideal for reflecting heat, when drawn across the window. Avoid dark coloured curtains; they absorb the heat. If you want the dark coloured curtains, keep them as side features of the window frame. (They can be ideal for pulling across the window in winter to keep out the chill!) Further, wood slatted blinds are ideal heat deterrents on windows and can be easily regulated to allow light in but reflect back the heat.
3. Keep time consuming cooking in the kitchen to the early hours of the morning. By afternoon, the hottest part of the day, most of the kitchen heat should have dissipated.
4. If there is a breeze on a hot day, keep the curtains drawn, but open all windows so there is a flow through of air in the house. If the house is a two storey one, open the upper windows as much as possible, but keep the drapes closed. This will encourage airflow through the house at all times.
5. Add canvas blinds or awnings to the outside of windows that face the sun. Many of these awnings now come with controls which can be operated from inside the house. The awnings may be drawn up or down as needed.

And what if you have all these "summer fighting" options and you are still barely surviving the heat? There is always the wet towel! Dampen a towel with cold water. Roll it tight. Ring it round your neck, and then settle to reading a good book quietly! (Don't turn on the TV; that increases the heat in the room!) If the towel loses its cool, swing it round in the air a few times, and then wrap it round your neck once more!

Your house will feel like "summer heaven"! Naturally!

Learn more about this author, Gemma Wiseman.
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