[giannishadj]

Hello everyone,

I live in an apartment situated at the top floor. There is nothing else on top of my apartment so its the roof. The 3 sides of the apartment are exposed and the fourth is a common one with another apartment. My windows are double glazing but might not be of the best quality, although I believe they are good enough. My apartment is hot during the summer and cold during the winter and I was thinking to invest some money in improving the situation. Although there might be many options out there, I am aware of just the two:

1. Insulate the roof
2. Install external aluminium window shades

The one thing that I am concerned with is which one of the two will make the most difference and I believe it is the second one since people can feel a cold draft when sitting in my apartment, even though I have unsuccessfully tried to locate any spots on windows that allow air in. Furthermore, to insulate the roof is much easier but since the roof is accessible by almost anyone, certain damages may occur on the insulation which I will need to fix each time.

What are your suggestions?

Thanks

 

[beenthere]

Window shades will help in the summer but not in the winter.

 

[giannishadj]

Window shades will help in the summer but not in the winter.

Will they not prevent the cold from coming inside?

 

[beenthere]

Will they not prevent the cold from coming inside?

No. The shades will be as cold as the outside air, so they won't stop it from becoming cold inside. They may slow down some air infiltration, but not a lot.

 

[ToolSeeker]

If there is a draft you must find where it is coming in at. Invest in a pack of those incense sticks light one and walk around the room and watch the smoke trail and try to locate this way. A windy day would probably be best. Also has the HVAC unit been tested, it may be inadequate (thanks spell check) or need cleaned or repaired. Also on a cold day feel your ceiling, does it feel real cold if not roof insulation may not be needed. Do the walls feel really cold. All i'm saying is do a lot of checking before investing a lot. Hope this helps.

 

[giannishadj]

So you are saying roof insulation is better than external shades?

Please forgive me for being persistent but if I use external shades will they not stop drafts?

 

[beenthere]

So you are saying roof insulation is better than external shades?

Please forgive me for being persistent but if I use external shades will they not stop drafts?

If they aren't sealed air tight to the window or building they can't stop drafts.

 

[joecaption]

It should not be your job to be adding insulation in the attic, and may cause issues with the landlord. May want want to clear that with them.
There's a few things that you could do. Adding foam outlet and switch seals behind the switch plates is an easy DIY.
Making sure all windows and doors are caulked around the trim.
Check for air leaks around doors.
Adding shrink wrap film over the windows.
Sealing up any holes where plumbiing was run in the backs of the cabinets.

 

[giannishadj]

If they aren't sealed air tight to the window or building they can't stop drafts.

I was thinking for something of the likes of this:

http://www.decopvc.ro/en/rulouri-exterioare/

 

[joecaption]

So your willing to spend thousands on a building that does not belong to you?
Not likly any landlords going to go for that one.

 

[giannishadj]

So your willing to spend thousands on a building that does not belong to you?
Not likly any landlords going to go for that one.

Sorry for the misunderstanding...

The apartment belongs to me, I bought it. There is no attic, my ceiling is the roof. The roof is flat with no ceramics, its just waterproofed.

 

[ToolSeeker]

First find out why it's happening before you start throwing money at it. It may be a simple fix.

 

[giannishadj]

First find out why it's happening before you start throwing money at it. It may be a simple fix.

This is one problem I have found in all my windows and balcony doors:

 

[beenthere]

They don't include air sealing as part of the reason they will help with heating or cooling. So they are not going to seal off air infiltration.

You may own the apartment, but probably don't own the roof. Do you have a condo or Home owner Association.

 

[giannishadj]

They don't include air sealing as part of the reason they will help with heating or cooling. So they are not going to seal off air infiltration.

You may own the apartment, but probably don't own the roof. Do you have a condo or Home owner Association.

Yes we do have an association which is useless. At the moment no-one pays their communal charge to fix/maintain the building because most apartment owners just rent the apartments out. I am the only owner that lives in the building and even though I have tried my best to improve the quality of living in the building, I have failed since no-one is interested. Since I live in the apartment though I need to make it habitable and the first thing that I need to do now is to keep warm from the cold winter.

So first step is to seal air leaks. I have gone round with an incense stick and found a few air leaks which I will try to fix, one being the picture posted above.

 

[beenthere]

Looks like a poorly installed window. Fix those air leaks first, and you will find it makes a big difference in your homes temp, and energy cost.

 

[user1007]

Ceiling fans can make a big difference if of nice design and large or plentiful enough. They can lower your central air and heating bill substantially. Plunking one in the middle of a room can help some but if you have ever seen them in real action, there are a few in a room.

In the summer you set the blades to spin so they draw hot air up and away and in winter you set them so they direct hot air down and back into the room. Airflow and physics 101 I guess. Most people never bother to set them for the season. I used to tell my clients who had them to flick the switch for sure when Daylight Savings Time hit.

There are some really nice roman shade and insulated blind companies out there and some of the products come with incredible r-value. They are pricey though. My California home had insulated vertical blinds that looked nice and really blocked cold air coming straight through.

I realize there are only so many things you can do as a tenant. I would argue that anything you do to preserve heat accrues to the building and other tenants. Do you pay heat, by the way?

 

[ToolSeeker]

Not a tenant sds he bought it.

 

[95025]

Hello everyone,

I live in an apartment situated at the top floor. There is nothing else on top of my apartment so its the roof. The 3 sides of the apartment are exposed and the fourth is a common one with another apartment. My windows are double glazing but might not be of the best quality, although I believe they are good enough. My apartment is hot during the summer and cold during the winter and I was thinking to invest some money in improving the situation. Although there might be many options out there, I am aware of just the two:

1. Insulate the roof
2. Install external aluminium window shades

The one thing that I am concerned with is which one of the two will make the most difference and I believe it is the second one since people can feel a cold draft when sitting in my apartment, even though I have unsuccessfully tried to locate any spots on windows that allow air in. Furthermore, to insulate the roof is much easier but since the roof is accessible by almost anyone, certain damages may occur on the insulation which I will need to fix each time.

What are your suggestions?

Thanks

You live in an apartment. It is not your job, nor your place, to spend money making any kind of improvements that you cannot take with you when you move.

I would recommend using "seasonal caulk" on your windows. The DAP brand name is Seal 'N Peel, and the stuff can found at most home supply stores.

Beyond that, a ceiling fan might help. Warm air rises.

 

[95025]

Sorry for the misunderstanding...

The apartment belongs to me, I bought it.

This changes everything.

That said, your #1 need is to insulate the ceiling/attic. I don't know how your building is constructed, so details are tough to provide. But the vast majority of your heat loss is through the ceiling. THAT is where you want to start.