Spending This Monsoon In A Top-floor Flat? You Need This Checklist To Keep Your Cool

We agree, living on the top most floor of a building has its advantages. Who doesn't get blown away by breath-taking view from the bedroom window and clean, cool breeze?!

In monsoon, though, the view might be sullied by constant rain and dirt accumulating on the terrace. Moreover, Sun and high humidity post the heavy rains stir up the uneasy cocktail of humid heat. Ask people who live on top floor apartments or barsatis and they might tell you that this is worse than living in an oven!

So, what are you doing to enjoy the view from your top-floor flat without losing your cool with the humid heat and the associated smelly wetness?

• Use air-conditioners, not coolers: If you are a big fan of saving electricity, you need to stop worrying and start using the air-conditioner. Coolers work very inefficiently in the monsoons, adding to the humidity in air. Air-conditioners are the only best  alternative in this weather. You could use it for brief intervals to cool the room.
• Extend shades: You must build bamboo/plastic shades atop doors and windows so that lashing rains don't enter your house. This can be done at a very low cost. However, do make sure that you do this well in advance. Any work on the external walls during the monsoons lacks finishing and durability.
• False ceiling: The best way to stop heat from seeping through the ceiling is to layer it. The most popular method of controlling heat uses thermal insulation material like cellulose, mineral wool, polyurethane foam and polystyrene. There are a number of natural options too, like hemp, sheep wool, straw and cotton. Some of the cheaper material cost around Rs 100 per square feet. A false ceiling can be built all over the house. Some people use techniques like leaving a vent out for a thick false ceiling for the heat and humidity to escape.
• Terrace gardens: It is the most common and easy method to keep your home cool. Check with the building manager and the society if you can plant some creepers or other fast growing plants on the roof. If they do not allow a small plant bed, just set-up mud-based flower pots. The flower pots should be watered regularly. Use enough plants so that the entire roof is shaded. Living under a canopy has green advantages in addition to a cooler home. However, take care to clean the pots and the terrace regularly. Heavy rains can make the terrace really muddy and slippery.
• Roof color: Paint the roof of your home in white. White reflects heat and reflection will ensure that the heat does not stay on. Black and other dark colors absorb heat and spread it in the room. If painting and repainting is too expensive, just go for a simple whitewash.  
• Ceiling tiles: Use insulating material on the ceiling to keep out the heat. Clay is the best known insulator that can hold off the heat. The silica in clay makes it a very bad conductor of heat and hence, stops it from seeping through the roof.
• Terrace covers: A number of building societies install an extra covering on the terrace of the building to make it into a mini-auditorium. It does not cost much as the ceiling is erected using iron bars and offers simple shade. Convince your society to invest in this idea, which has multiple functions. You could also enjoy the rains over tea and pakoras here.

If all else fails, simply water the terrace of your building with water during the afternoons. The heat from the Sun will evaporate the water away and keep the terrace and ultimately the roof cool.

(Katya Naidu has been working as a business journalist for the last nine years, and has covered beats across banking, pharma, healthcare, telecom, technology, power, infrastructure, shipping and commodities)