Brits trapped in boiling homes from 'unbearable' new builds to bifold 'saunas'

Brits trapped in boiling homes from 'unbearable' new builds to bifold 'saunas' EXCLUSIVE: As temperatures soar across the UK, Brits living in new builds or with trendy bifolding doors have been left desperately searching for relief, with some preparing to move to escape the scorching internal temperatures Schools are closed, public transport is on its knees and homeowners across the UK are questioning their choices as the mercury edges towards 40C. Not too long ago, Brits bemoaned the UK summer, flocking to Europe in their droves for guaranteed sunshine rather than a wet week in Bognor. But as global warming continues it's terrifying march, the country is no stranger to temperatures that used to only be found in the Mediterranean, or even Australia. A red heat health warning is in place across parts of Wales and England - with amber warnings in place elsewhere - which means there is a threat to life even amongst normally healthy populations. And unlike in Australia, where homes are constructed to stay cool and air con comes as standard, it is evident that the UK is far from heat-ready. And there are three groups who are being hit the hardest - the once lucky ones with south-facing gardens, those with glass-heavy extensions and trendy bifold doors, and people who live in new builds. Social media is awash with tales of woe of those trapped and boiling in their homes. "My doors are killing me," wrote one begging for recommendations for black out blinds for bifold doors. "I would never have bifolds again," wrote another, adding "sun beams in and it's boiling". One told how they're planning on moving house just to get away from their glass doors: "We live in a house with huge bifold doors downstairs and smaller version upstairs. Can't wait to be able to move house and be able to just open a window when needed." TikToker Rosie Montalbano told her followers: "Now I've moved into a new build house, I'm only just discovering how hot it can get in the summer. It is hotter in this house than it is outdoors. It's unbearable." Desperate mum and new build resident Abigail Kendal told her followers, "I'm a mum on the edge!" "It's 30 degrees outside and you're trying to keep your 9 month old entertained while living in a new build house." New builds are incredibly well insulated and energy efficient, but they are designed to trap heat and keep it in, and to let in as much light as possible during the long, dark winter months. The Climate Change Committee said in May that the UK is "built for a climate that no longer exists" as they called for widespread air conditioning installation, stating that 92 percent of British homes are prone to overheating during extremely high temperatures. Cerys Gardiner, 26, from the East Midlands, bought a new build after being lured by the five percent deposit match. But her home is so hot that she's been forced to fork out hundred of pounds to keep the sun out. "It is very hot in here, I won't lie. I was hanging up blankets on all the windows," the owner of Marketing by Cerys tells The Mirror. "Since then, I've had proper shutters fitted, and I can feel the difference because when I open them there is a proper blast of hot air. I've had them fitted at just the right time." The thick wooden shutters on the inside of her windows set her back £1200 on four windows at the front of her property. "I need something on the back," Cerys admits, "I've got big double doors and the heat by the end of the day is insane." Other than her new shutters, she is relying on fans and opening the windows and doors in the morning and evening when its cooler to try and get the temperature inside down. Then there's the trend for kitchen/diner extensions with bifold doors looking out into the garden. Once the envy of all, now such luxuries are proving to be the bane of homeowner's lives, turning their homes into saunas. Frances Barton, 43, of Berkshire said: "When we moved in, our house was a gloomy cave. So we knocked out the back wall and put a 4m glass sliding door in. Now it's like living in a hot box, or a sauna. I regret it so much. It was 30 degrees inside at 7am today. We can't open the curtains because we'll boil. There's no point opening the actual door because it just lets the hot air in, and it will cost us thousands to get specialist film to reflect the light. "In summer, the lounge is completely unusable. If we are in it, we have to wear actual sunglasses and the sweat just drips off you. I'd like to brick it up but that's not cheap either so for now, we'll have to live upstairs where it's cooler. But things are only going to get worse, we'll have to remove the doors at some point." Abigail Thomas, 38, from Kent, who shares her family life on her Instagram @itstheamps, says her stunning south facing living room, which features bifold doors and extensive windows, has turned into a heat trap. She's also spent hundreds on blinds and is now looking to get air con installed. "We had blinds fitted last week, partial black out blinds - we didn't want a complete black out - in that part of the house. It's our second summer here, so we experienced what it was like last summer and it was too late to get anything fitted then. We decided ahead of this summer to get these blinds fitted. Whilst it's not too hot, everything is still open, but as soon as the sun starts shifting we put the blinds down. "I think we probably will get air con fitted before next summer, we inherited air conditioning in our bedroom - our room is in the extension upstairs - and it's south-facing and super hot up there. The air con is great. I do think it's something we will look into." So what can residents do to stay cool? The Government advises that you should avoid going outside during the hours of 11am and 3pm when the sun is strongest, and that if you do so, try and stay in the shade as much as possible, and wear loose, light clothing. According to the Red Cross, keeping your entire house cool is no easy feat. Instead, it's better to designate a specific area or select one or two rooms to focus on keeping cool.They warned: "Keep windows covered and shut and close doors to stop warm air entering."They added: "Try to avoid, or spend as little time in as possible, rooms that will be hard to keep cool, like a kitchen where heat is generated by appliances and cooking devices, or rooms with large windows where the sun is shining." Should you choose to use an electric fan, it's important to use it efficiently so as not to waste energy. Here's what to do, according to watchdog Which? - Don't turn it on unless you're in the room, as it wastes energy and doesn't cool your room. - If it's colder outside than in, then place your fan by your window. But if it is hot, then avoid placing fans near windows. - If it is too hot, try to place a bowl or glass of ice under your fan - this will act like an air conditioner. The Mirror has tested out dozens of DIY hacks to keep your house and self cool during the heatwave, from tin foil in your windows, strategic fan placement, and repurposing a hot water bottle into a cold water bottle to keep you chilled out, you can find out more hack and tricks here.