An independent guide to the home microclimate. It does not sell products, does not run tests and is not connected with the former website on this domain.
Materials
Many of the discomforts in a home are fixed not by a device but by a material: a strip of draught seal, a heavy curtain, a rug on an echoing floor or a vent in the wall. This section covers what each group of materials offers, where its abilities end and when a material alone is not enough. The guide's article catalogue is here too.
A good material is modest: it does not promise to change your life, it simply closes a gap, softens an echo or lets air in where there was too little.
How this section works: we describe groups of materials in general terms, what they offer and where they fall short, without makes, models, prices or rankings. Installation and use conditions are set by the manufacturer, and work on load-bearing structures, façades and building services is done by specialists.
Six groups of materials people turn to when a home is cold, noisy, stuffy or damp.
Rubber and foam profiles close the gaps between a sash and its frame, or a door and its casing. Over time a seal loses its springiness and starts letting in cold and sound. Replacing it is usually easy; the key is to match the profile to the width of the gap.
Fibrous, board and foam materials slow the loss of heat through walls, floors and window reveals. They only work when laid carefully and kept dry: a layer that gets wet or is laid with gaps loses its point. Wall and façade insulation is done to a design and by specialists.
Dense boards, membranes and soft layers weaken sound travelling through walls and floors. On their own they do not guarantee quiet: noise finds its way round through gaps, sockets and doors, so it pays to start with the weakest spots.
Heavy curtains separate the room from cold glass in winter and shade it from the heat in summer. Rugs, upholstered furniture and textiles absorb echo and the sound of footsteps. It is the most affordable way to make a room quieter and cosier without any renovation.
A vent in the wall or window frame lets outdoor air in while the windows are shut, and extract grilles take stale air out. Supply and extract only work together: if one side is blocked, the air in the room just stands still.
In winter, heating often dries the air out, while bathrooms and lower floors can be damp. Different types of humidifiers and dehumidifiers help bring humidity closer to comfortable, but first work out the cause: damp often points to weak ventilation.
This is where the guide's standalone articles on the microclimate of flats and houses will appear. We write them specifically for the English version of the site rather than translating them from other languages.
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| Material | What it offers | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Window and door draught strips | Fewer draughts and less street noise, warmer by the window | Wear out and need replacing; do not fix a warped sash |
| Insulation | Heat escapes more slowly through walls, floors and reveals | Sensitive to moisture and careless fitting; wall and façade work needs a design |
| Soundproofing materials | Less sound through walls and floors | Useless if gaps, open sockets and thin doors remain |
| Curtains and rugs | A quieter room, less chill from the glass, softer echo | Collect dust and need care; offer little protection from loud street noise |
| Trickle vents and grilles | Fresh air with the windows shut, less condensation | Only work with a working extract; supply needs adjusting in winter |
| Humidifying and dehumidifying | Humidity closer to comfortable in the heating season or in damp rooms | Do not remove the cause of damp; appliances need regular cleaning |
Caring for windows, vent grilles, radiators, humidifiers, air conditioners and textiles, plus a seasonal check-up.
Ideas for a comfortable home: a warm bedroom, a quiet nursery, a dry bathroom, a fresh kitchen, a bright work corner and winter mode.
Thermometer, hygrometer, phone sound meter, thermal camera, tape measure and sealant, with no brands or rankings.
Specific temperature, humidity and noise values are taken from the Russian standards GOST 30494-2011 and SanPiN 1.2.3685-21, and buyers' rights are described in general terms under the Russian Consumer Protection Law. Other countries use their own building, noise and consumer rules. The condition of your home's ventilation, heating and structure is assessed on site by specialists and your building manager or landlord, and health questions are a matter for a doctor.