"Property specialist discloses the concealed effects on sleep quality, attributable to the specific kind of dwelling you inhabit"
In the UK, the housing stock is notoriously poor at dealing with extreme temperatures, particularly during heatwaves. This issue is particularly prevalent in certain types of homes, such as Victorian and Edwardian terraces, new build flats, converted lofts and attic rooms, and cottages and rural homes.
Victorian and Edwardian terraces, with their single-glazed windows and minimal insulation, are prone to being bitterly cold in winter and overly hot in summer. This temperature instability disrupts the optimal cool environment needed for good sleep, leading to poor sleep conditions.
New build flats with large floor-to-ceiling windows often trap heat during summer months, creating a greenhouse effect. If windows are only on one side, poor airflow can hinder ventilation, which is critical for temperature regulation.
Converted lofts and attic rooms frequently experience extreme temperature swings due to inadequate insulation and ventilation, making them particularly prone to overheating in summer and cold in winter.
Cottages and rural homes, despite their thicker walls, can have limited airflow, making them hard to heat in winter and cool in summer.
Amy Lockwood, the Sleep Editor and certified sleep expert on our platform, is always on the lookout for the most breathable bedding as a hot sleeper. She leads a team of testers to ensure product testing encompasses various sleeping positions. However, she emphasises that temporary solutions such as blackout blinds, fans, and portable air conditioners are not a long-term solution.
Temperature plays a crucial role in sleep quality. The optimal bedroom temperature is generally between 20–25°C, promoting deep, efficient sleep with fewer awakenings. Temperatures above 25°C reduce sleep efficiency and increase latency, while too-cold conditions below 18–20°C can also disrupt sleep, especially in older adults.
The real long-term solution lies in better home insulation and ventilation systems. Over 9.6 million UK households are plagued by poor insulation and inadequate ventilation, and this environmental instability negatively affects sleep by making bedrooms too hot or too cold, disrupting sleep efficiency, increasing awakenings, and reducing overall rest quality.
Government-backed initiatives to improve insulation, shading, and ventilation need greater awareness and support. The difference between discomfort and danger is narrowing, especially for those with health conditions. Proper insulation prevents outside heat from penetrating the home, allowing rooms to stay cooler for longer without the need for constant appliance use.
While 11% of households report temperatures so extreme that sleep is compromised, it's important to note that both extremes disrupt your circadian rhythm, leaving you tired and less alert the next day. The ideal bedroom temperature for a restful sleep is between 16-18°C.
She has spent over four years researching and writing about what makes for the best night's sleep, and Amy Lockwood continues to advocate for the importance of addressing the UK's housing challenges to improve sleep quality for millions of households.
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Insulation and ventilation systems in UK housing, particularly in Victorian and Edwardian terraces, new build flats, converted lofts, attic rooms, cottages, and rural homes, play a significant role in regulating temperatures and promoting good sleep conditions. Amy Lockwood, a Sleep Editor and certified sleep expert, seeks breathable bedding but stresses that temporary solutions are not long-term solutions. The optimal bedroom temperature for efficient sleep is between 20–25°C, while extreme temperatures above 25°C and below 18–20°C can disrupt sleep, especially in older adults. To improve sleep quality for millions of households, government-backed initiatives to enhance insulation, shading, and ventilation need greater awareness and support, as proper insulation can prevent outside heat from penetrating homes and maintain cooler temperatures.
