Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Hi all,

We live in a bungalow with a roof terrace above. Our bungalow becomes unbearably hot during July and August and we would like to do
something to try to keep it cooler. As we as yet do not have our title deeds, we cannot do anything permenant. A temproray solution would be to lay some pallets down and cover them with something like the material that windscreen sun screens are made of (metalic silver) Does anyone know where we could buy this on a roll, or does anyone have any other cheap options? All suggestions gratefully received.


Stephen

I hope a Kibkomer who is knowledgeable on the structure of buildings can help you with this and you do not suffer leaks in the winter months as the majority of flat roof buildings/concrete sponges do in the TRNC. In the interim have you tried cheap defensive measures ? By day we close the curtains and doors on the Eastern/Southern side of the villa behind almost closed windows (not shutters) and when the Sun is at it's apex open them before closing the curtains on the windows on the Western side for the afternoon and evenings. We choose cream coloured, inexpensive curtains of medium weight which fade less than bright colours. These deflect much of the heat but leave sufficient light in the bedrooms to use them without lights on except for detailed work. We assess that this controls the heat significantly and we need only a short burst of aircon when retiring to bed and a fan thereafter. The clue is that traditional builds tend to have tiny, porched windows. Best of luck !

Hi deputydog,

We have had our property for 6 years now and have not had any problems with leaks on the roof. However we do maintain it and check for any suspect grouting before the winter. This is our 2nd summer of living here full time and we do all the things you have suggested regards keeping the curtains drawn etc. Our roof appears to heat up during the day and starts giving off heat when it cools down outside at night. a bit like a night storage heater. We have been told of the solution we mentioned in my original post but are unable to find the silver material here. I think they use the same material for floating pool covers, so that could be an option.

Stephen

just a thought, i don,t know if it will work or wether you can purchase them here but what about the insulation boards with the silver backing on them, they would reflect the heat in summer and keep the heat in in winter. you could fix them using floor adesive if the roof is smooth enough and water tight, but make sure you allow for the rain to carry away when it eventually comes back.just a thought or am i talking out of my top hat.

Hi,

Yes the silver coated insulation boards would work a treat, they would have to be laid on top of the pallets and not direct onto the floor, as we have been advised you have to leave a gap. Does anyone know where in the TRNC you can buy them? I don't think many homes are insulated here, so it could be hard to find this stuff.


Stephen

You can buy a special paint here. We have been using it for the past 5 years. İt deflects the heat and seals the roof against leaking. It does need doing every year though. Marshalls sell it.

deputydawg wrote:...leave sufficient light in the bedrooms to use them without lights on except for detailed work....

What on earth are you fiddling around with in the bedroom that would qualify as 'detailed work'?

Have you been messing about with that haemorrhoid cream again?

Seriously, we adopt the same measures as DD - fortunately we have a 'UK style' pitched, tiled roof, so we don't suffer from the 'hot ceiling' syndrome - although, because our water tanks are in the 'loft space', our 'cold' water never is, really...

You might want to 'Google' the silver coated insulation boards, and find a manufacturer's name, and then enquire whether they are available - if not, a query 'Further South' might yield results.

I have to agree wityh the suggestions a reflective paint does the trick, but it wlll only help by about 25% so don't be disappointed it will not cure the problem totally

Sorry did mean to say I agree with Foodie, but ever year is excessive 2-3 years if applied right, but that is what I have found, so I can only speak on my experience

We have a bungalow and, as Keith, are lucky that it has high pitched tiled roofs including over the covered patios. The lounge, dining room, and kitchen have ceilings at heights up to 20 feet so no need for aircon in those areas. I feel certain that inovative work on the roof and daily, practical defence measures will greatly improve things for Bobby. However, heat rises, and on the many occasions when ambient ground temperatues exceed 90% fahren, even at 3 am in the mornings, combined with very high humidity, it seems to be use of air con and fans or suffer ! I fiddle in one bedroom as I use it as an office. Being a Luddite with PCs I do not understand how Haemorrhoid cream will lubricate a keyboard ? I have always believed that love is blind and that is why men like groping in the dark

I am not complaing honest.

Given the thread title I think it's hilarious that it has encompased Haemorrhoid Cream to Men groping in the dark.

Keep it up chaps, most entertaing if you know what I mean. Smile.

My husband has suggested that you put in a false roof - build a wooden frame about a foot over the main roof, then put down corrugated iron or something like that and use reflective paint. You get a breeze between the two layers which takes the heat away. It's not going to alleviate it completely, but it should make it cooler for you. They use this in the dongas up north in the mining towns of Western Australia and Queensland - the temporary accommodation is kept quite a bit cooler by this method, (although they do include air-conditioners, given the temperatures in the top end of Oz.