Being a parent is stressful enough without having to build a safe room for your kids. With so many things to keep track of, it can be easy to let a few things slip past you. Luckily, we’re here to help you create the best space for your children with the help of these essential tips.

Nursery Heating Doesn’t Have to be Super Expensive

The ideal temperature for a child to sleep is between 18°C and 22°C, which often means you’ll need adequate heating. This is fine for most homes, but some parents are trying to convert a less-used guest room or a study (sometimes even a loft) into a child’s space. These can often have insufficient heating standards once they are emptied and converted from their original purpose.

Before you go shelling out upwards of a thousand bucks for your home heating, there may be a few things you can look into. A small temperature difference can be fixed with better windows. A lot of non-bedroom spaces are sometimes still fitted with single glazed windows, so that can be a good start.

These are cheaper than overhauling any pipes or other such things. Double glazed window prices in the UK can be as low as £150 for purchase (uPVC) but you need to match your window to the level of heating you need. You’ll get the best thermal efficiency from wood but aluminium windows with a thermal break can also be a good substitute, with cheap ones costing upwards of £240.

They will not only keep the room warm but also may help decrease your energy bills. It’s best to buy good windows because they can last up to 50 years or more if well-maintained. 

Glazing Options Can Also be Cost-Effective

Let’s stay on windows for a while longer. If you already have double glazed wooden windows but still can’t seem to shake the feeling that the room is too cold, you may want to look into improved glazing. The window material for the pane can be one solution, with low E glass being a decent option.

Another way to go is to try out triple glazing. As a rule of thumb triple glazed windows tend to cost 30% more than double glazed ones. These can offer better insulation and reduce bills, so then you may be making your money back in energy costs if you live in a cold area. 

Aside from the heating and energy-saving advantages, you may also be tempted by the noise reduction. It’s hard enough trying to get a kid to fall asleep but keeping them asleep is another ordeal. With triple glazing, you can also enjoy the benefits of decent noise reduction from the outside, ensuring you and your family won’t have any rude awakenings.

On top of all that, they also are safer. The extra layer of glass tends not to shatter and break as easily, spitting shards everywhere. 

Cost-Effective Insulation

Insulation can be expensive but there are ways to make it cheaper, especially if you’re dealing with a single room. 

You can use foam insulation to cover up the gaps in your floorboards, for example. These could be causing a significant amount of heat to leak from your floors but patching them up can be relatively cheap. All you’ll need is a spray and even if you hire an expert you’ll pay 20 to 35 bucks per metre. This is not always a permanent solution, so you might want to spring for something more advanced in the future.

Cover up wherever pipework can lead outside, the gaps around electrical fittings, a loft hatch, ceiling and wall joints. The spaces between the floor, window, or door are also worth sealing up. 

There are also numerous insulation grants you can check out to keep costs low, so be sure to check the policies for your local area. They can earn you better insulation and even a full heating system depending on where you live. A good example is the UK’s ECO4 scheme, which can help you with insulation, better glazing, and even pay for solar panels. Who doesn’t like free stuff?

Keep Your Radiators Safe From Children

Radiators that run hot are a hazard, especially with kids around. Running them low may not always be an option and the little ones can be more curious than we’d like. If heating systems attract their attention, there are a few things you can do to prepare (as every good parent should).

You first need to make sure that no part of the radiator is accessible to children. You can shield them behind wood (non-corrosive) belfries. They can be stylish and safe.

In terms of the radiators, you don’t need to keep them at searing temperatures for them to do their job. They are best kept at safer heat settings, not exceeding 43°C. In these instances, Low Surface Temperature radiators (LST) are the safest choices. Aside from the safety, it’s also less wasteful to keep your radiator in a lower setting.

Hopefully, the following tips have been instructive in making your home a bit cosier.