Once a budget-friendly staple in student and rental homes, we've come across some suggestions that bamboo blinds and wind chimes could be just what we need right now.
Why? Because along with scent, careful fabric selection and using more natural ways to screen out heat, they are some of the ways Japanese homeowners have been dealing with a hot, humid environment for years – without the use of air con.
Given our own experience this summer of never-ending heatwaves, could it be time to stock up on the staples of the past and adopt these ideas in the UK? We asked experts if, and how, we can try these methods at home
What is the Japanese cooling philosopy?
The concept of Ryō Wo Toru is an ancient philosophy based on using more natural ways to create a sense of 'coolness'. But, it's not just a case of tricking the senses, there are some valuable shading and cooling methods involved too that have been around for centuries.
And, while some methods may not be entirely possible in the UK – as we simply don't have the same products available – we reached out to experts to ask how we can adapt them to suit your average home.
From simple window upgrades to DIY screens, here's what they suggest you try if you can't, or don't want to install air con in your home.
1. DIY Yoshizu screens
Yoshizu screens are commonly seen outside homes in Japan and are made of woven reeds or bamboo. Placed outside the windows, they prevent heat from ever entering into the home, therefore reducing the need to have the best cooling fans or air con units blasting out cold air all day.
Unfortunately, a quick search on the internet reveals that purchasing a traditional Japanese screen in the UK isn't an option. But, a quick chat with Steve Jenkins, Homebuilding & Renovating's DIY expert confirmed there are ways we could adapt readily available products in the UK instead.
1. The easy option
"A quick option is to unravel a bamboo screen and place it against the window with the bamboo slats vertical," says Steve. "However, the issue with this is that it's hard to find bamboo screens with a suitable height. The average height for the top of a window is around 2.5m - 3m in the UK. So even this 2m x 3m Extra Thick Bamboo Screening Roll from B&Q won't reach the top.
"A temporary solution is to use a few blocks to raise the screen off the ground to a suitable height," he suggests.
2. Hang from eaves
"Dropping a bamboo screen from the eaves is the ideal option, especially if you live in a single-storey building," says Steve. "All you need to do is add a few screw-in hooks such as these Taihuimy Screw Hooks from Amazon into the fascia board.
"Three should be enough, one each end and one in the middle for extra support," he suggests. "To make it easier to install, drill small pilot holes before inserting the screws."
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This reeded screen comes in a variety of different sizes to suit your windows and doors
Bamboo fence panels can be adapted to hang from eaves, or used in a DIY frame
3. Build a frame
"If you're a keen DIYer, you can build a wooden frame, attach a bamboo screen to it, and stand it in front of a window (ground floor only)," says Steve.
"You'll need around five/six lengths of CLS timber like this Snowdon CLS Timber 5-pack for an average-size window, 90 - 100mm wood screws and a decent mitre saw to cut the wood.
"Create a basic frame (that matches the window size), and add an extra vertical length in the middle to strengthen it," he advises. "Add three lengths – around 800 - 1000mm – to the bottom, one each side and one in the middle to act as feet to balance the frame. Finish by attaching a roll of bamboo screening to the frame."
Steve Jenkins is a freelance content creator with over two decades of experience working in digital and print and was previously the DIY content editor for Homebuilding & Renovating. He is a keen DIYer with over 20 years of experience in transforming and renovating the many homes he has lived in. He specialises in painting and decorating, but has a wide range of skills gleaned from working in the building trade for around 10 years and spending time at night school learning how to plaster and plumb.
2. Sudare – bamboo blinds
If however you prefer to tackle your cooling indoors, and don't want to adopt the method of window stacking, preferring just one layer of window covering instead, you could try using bamboo blinds, such as these Loreto Walnut & Demerara Roll Up Blinds from Blinds2Go.
But what are the pros and cons of switching to bamboo – least of all the fact it might not suit your interior design style?
Ian Rowell, head of product development at Blinds2Go explains more if you are thinking of adding them to your home, particularly in relation to where you can and can't use them.
"Bamboo is typically fine in a heatwave as long as it is kept dry. Warping in natural timbers and fibres occurs from uneven applications of heat which causes the fibres to expand at different levels across the length," he explains.
"Moisture amplifies this and could cause the blinds to distort. However, the lacquer coating used on our blinds for example, does protect them from absorbing too much heat and moisture and they make a beautiful shading solution."
But, while bamboo blinds, much like bamboo screens are generally used outside the home in Japan, "our bamboo blinds are for internal use only," says Ian. "Bamboo doesn't like damp areas, so whilst we protect the slats with the lacquer coatings, you wouldn't be able to use them in excessively wet areas like shower rooms or windows directly behind a kitchen sink where it could be splashed repeatedly."
"The biggest benefit of bamboo," he continues, "is its ecological credentials. Bamboo is incredibly strong but also very light compared to wood, which means that bigger blinds are easier to lift and operate.
"However, the processing required to turn bamboo into a workable block to cut venetian slats from is expensive, which makes them a little more expensive than PVC and timber equivalents," adds Ian.
Ian heads up product development at Blinds2Go and has over 20 years of experience in the window coverings category.
3. Planted screens
Another technique you may see if you ever visit Japan, is plants grown on nets that again, hang outside windows and doors. While it's not something you'd see in the UK, much like DIY bamboo Yoshizu screens, you could replicate a similar concept using moveable garden planters with trellis that you position in place when the temperature increases.
Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres suggests trying the following approach.
"A 'green curtain' in the UK is a practical step if your window gets strong afternoon sun. A dense screen of leaves on a trellis cuts the heat hitting the glass and, as the plants release moisture, it makes the area right next to the window feel a bit cooler too.
"You won’t generally get Japanese-style summer intensity, but on a south or west-facing elevation it’s certainly a simple, low- tech way to take the edge off overheating while adding greenery," he states.
"For a quick, seasonal curtain, grow runner beans or climbing beans in a deep planter with a trellis or net," suggests Julian. "They’re fast, leafy and useful in the kitchen. Mix in morning glory or black-eyed Susan if you want more flowers and coverage through summer.
"For something more permanent, choose container-friendly climbers such as clematis (including compact varieties), jasmine (Jasminum officinale), star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides in milder areas), honeysuckle, or common hop for very rapid summer growth," he continues.
"Use a large, free-draining planter (ideally 30–50 cm deep), fix a sturdy trellis or horizontal wires, and plant the climber about 30–45 cm away from the wall so the roots aren’t in the dry 'rain shadow'," advises Julian. "Water and feed regularly in hot spells, tie in new shoots to build an even screen, and prune after flowering to keep things tidy and manageable."
This oak garden planter with in-built trellis and castors is sized at L145 x W40 x H40cm. The wheels make it perfect for planting and moving around the exterior of your home to provide some natural screening.
Julian Palphramand is Head of Plants at British Garden Centres. His expertise lies in horticulture with a passion for fostering a love of plants.
4. Stimulate the senses
And finally, there are some easy hacks you can try if you're a believer in mind over matter. Using scent and sound is a valuable trick that can mentally make you feel less hot and bothered, and if it works, why not? I know for example whenever I hear seagulls I think of the beach, and instantly feel more relaxed.
When it comes to heat, there are a few methods you can try, some of which aren't uniquely Japanese and work perfectly well in any home.
Fūrin - cooling the mind with chimes
A Japanese fūrin is a traditional wind chime that, as with most types of wind chime, moves and makes a sound when the breeze blows. Even the slightest of breeze can cause a sound, making you instantly feel cooler knowing that the air isn't still.
Perfect for hanging inside and outside the home, just make sure they aren't too noisy if you live on a residential street. While the sound can initially be relaxing, heavier chimes can be quite noisy and could lead to neighbour complaints.
Try these simple iron garden wind chimes inside, or outside your home to create a sense of calm and remind you that there's a breeze.
Scent and texture are worth tackling too
While designing a house that smells fresh is a wise strategy when self-building, extending or renovating, it's not to say you can't use clean, artificial scents as well to help balance the mood.
Choose eco-friendly candles in light and refreshing scents, such as mint, grass or even smells reminiscent of the sea.
And finally, when it comes to the materials you use in your home, think about lightweight fabrics in paler shades that reflect the heat. A simple switch of bedding can make the world of difference on a hot night. I changed all our bedding this year to muslin duvet sets that I found in the middle aisle at Lidl. While they're no longer available, these Cotton Muslin Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Sets from Dunelm are the same.
Although they are duvet covers, we've used them without duvets since the heatwaves began, and they've kept us far more comfortable than standard bedding ever has. Paired with my Meaco Sefte 10inch Pedestal Fan, sleeping at night hasn't been an issue at all.
Even if you decide bamboo blinds aren't for you, don't dismiss the value of a bamboo screen as a budget-friendly garden upgrade. It could be perfect for covering your garden fences while you save for new ones.
