While British summers aren’t renowned for being scorching hot for very long, things can quickly get very uncomfortable in the kitchen when the sun does show up. A combination of cooking appliances, poor ventilation and bad glazing choices can make your kitchen the hottest room in the house, and not in a good way. Roundhouse designers always plan for year-round comfort, creating luxury bespoke kitchens that stay cool and pleasant spaces to cook and spend time in, even during the peak of summer. Here’s how we do it.

Consider glazing

Glazing will have the biggest impact on the heat levels in your kitchen, especially if you’re plotting a generous extension with vast stretches of bi-folding or sliding doors and skylights or roof lanterns. Large south-facing windows are brilliant for bringing the outdoors in, but they can turn your kitchen into a greenhouse, trapping heat and making the space unbearably hot. Positioning your largest windows on the north or east-facing walls will reduce the impact of direct sunlight.

If south-facing is your best option in terms of the kitchen layout or views, make sure you plan for internal shading like blinds or sheers that can be used to reduce the sun’s intensity at peak times. Awnings and pergolas can also work well but do opt for specialist installation to ensure they will provide shade exactly where it’s needed.

Our Roundhouse designers always recommend choosing Low-E (low-emissivity) solar control glazing, when planning any glass-heavy kitchen. This is essentially a metallic coating that reflects heat while allowing light to pass through and will help keep your bespoke kitchen cooler without restricting natural light. It’s also worth investing in opening skylights and roof lanterns, with remote operation for ease, to allow hot air to escape when cooking is in full flow.

Source energy-efficient appliances

Appliances are the main causes of heat buildup in the kitchen in summertime. Sourcing energy-efficient models can help reduce this heat output and lower your energy bills in the process. Ovens rated A for energy efficiency will be well insulated, meaning less heat will escape into the room. Induction hobs also emit less heat into the environment, compared to gas or halogen electric hobs because the heat they produce is directed solely onto the cookware not around it.

Cooling appliances can also contribute to the heat buildup in your kitchen. Again, look for models with the best energy performance possible, and the latest invertor technology, as they will produce less heat and run more efficiently. Roundhouse designers can offer expert guidance to help you choose appliances that will cook your food, not you!  

Install effective extraction

Cooking up a storm generates a significant amount of heat, steam and humidity, which can make a kitchen feel unbearable in the height of summer. A carefully planned extraction system is crucial for maintaining a comfortable atmosphere.

Seek out a high-quality cooker hood with a powerful extraction rate that matches the volume of your room; easily calculate your specific requirements here. Ducted hoods that vent air outside (in the shortest route possible) are more effective than recirculating models when it comes to removing heat. However, recirculating filter technology has improved significantly in recent years so don’t dismiss recirculating extraction if it’s a better solution for your layout.

Turning your extractor on 10-15 minutes before you start cooking and leaving it running for a while after you’ve finished can also help improve the atmosphere in the summer but it’s good practice whatever the time of year.

Choose cool tones

The materials and finishes you select for your kitchen can impact how hot it feels, especially if the room is exposed to bright, direct sunlight. While it’s not so important in Britain’s relatively cool climate, it’s worth noting that pale coloured worktops, cabinets and walls will reflect more light and heat than dark surfaces, keeping your kitchen cooler. Choosing physically cool materials, like natural stone or porcelain flooring – again in pale colours – will also help reduce the ambient temperature levels in summer. Install underfloor heating to combat the effect in winter.

Take it outside

If the hot weather all gets too much, connecting your kitchen to the garden is a great way to entertain or cook large meals without overheating your home. Installing a built-in grill, outdoor oven or pizza oven to handle your summer cooking works particularly well if you can link some of the materials visually inside and out.

Select high-quality, weather-resistant materials like stainless steel, stone, and granite to ensure longevity and a stylish aesthetic, and consider adding a modern kitchen island with seating for guests. Outdoor heating and mood lighting will extend use long into the night.

Aim for level flooring between the kitchen and garden to prevent trip hazards and achieve a seamless transition. It’s also wise to include a shaded area for your outdoor kitchen via a covered terrace, pergola or shade sails. This will help make it more comfortable to cook and eat outside, even in the midday sun, and can also provide some shade for your house, helping to make it cooler when you step back indoors. 

Our expert kitchen designers can help you make the best choices for your Roundhouse bespoke kitchen, furniture or wardrobes. Visit any of our seven Roundhouse showrooms; Wigmore St, Clapham, Fulham, Richmond, Cambridge, Guildford & Cheltenham and get planning!