June 22, 2026, 10:27 am | Read time: 3 minutes
An attic apartment offers many advantages. For instance, there are no noisy neighbors above. However, living directly under the roof has a significant drawback in the summer: the heat. On warm days, attic apartments can heat up significantly and become a real burden. With the right measures, though, the summer heat can be much more bearable even under the roof.
When summer temperatures climb to 95 degrees Fahrenheit and above, many people long for a cool down, such as at the pool or lake. Others prefer to retreat to their own four walls. However, those living in an attic apartment often find little relief from the heat there. The rooms under the roof are often even warmer than the air outside. Here are some simple tricks to keep the apartment pleasantly cool—without air conditioning.
Overview
Heat in the Attic–What Helps
1. Apply Sun Protection Film
For windows in the sloped roof, a special sun protection film from the hardware store or sun protection glazing is suitable, advises the Berlin Consumer Center. However, these heat protection aids may also darken the room.
Alternatively, pleated blinds can be clicked onto the window. They can be pulled down as desired in the heat, covering the entire window glass. Their pleated structure offers good UV protection. The only downside: They must be tailored to the window and its dimensions, so the pane should be measured beforehand.
2. Ventilate Properly
Proper ventilation in the summer helps prevent heat in the attic. The rule here is: The greater the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the more effective the ventilation. Experts recommend checking temperatures with a thermometer, as subjective impressions are often misleading.
3. Hang Damp Towels
Hanging damp cotton towels or sheets, which can store water well, has often proven effective. Simply distribute the fabrics in the rooms and let them dry. They draw heat from the air, lowering the temperature. This tip against heat in the attic is even more effective if a fan is also set up to distribute the cooled air in the room.
4. Ban Thick Carpets
Those living in the attic should avoid heavy carpets during the summer months to effectively combat heat. Carpets made of light fabrics are more suitable, or one can do without them entirely and stick to bare floors. Tiles and wooden floors, in particular, cool the room down a bit more.
Tiles should be wiped with cold water at high temperatures. This evaporates and cools the room.
By the way: If you have underfloor heating, you can reverse the effect. With so-called surface cooling, the effect of the heating is simply reversed.