Why do Germans open windows in the cold?

Author: Mr. Houston Renner  |  Last update: Saturday, December 13, 2025

“Lüften is a German… [practice of] ventilation or getting the air out of a room to make the air fresh,” says Dr. Valerie Cacho, an integrative sleep physician. The practice is most applicable in the cold winter months when air can feel stuffy indoors.

Why do Germans open windows when it's cold?

The practice is known as lüften ("ventilate" in English) and involves opening the windows of your home every day in order to ensure that there is an exchange of air: the stale, dirty indoor air goes out and is replaced by fresh air from the outdoors.

Why do Germans keep opening my windows?

Doors and windows open inwards to keep bad people out if they want to get in. Pushing away is easier than pulling back.

Why do German windows open inwards?

European windows open inwards for security and weather protection, while providing ventilation. When a European window is tilted open, it's still extremely resistant to forced entry. Plus, tilting inward helps keep precipitation outside.

Why is it important to open windows in winter?

But did you know it is just as beneficial in winter, too? Air quality experts say knowing how often you should open windows in winter can help solve several common winter household complaints, including mold and musty smells, as well as combating condensation build up.

Why Germans Are Obsessed With Opening Windows in Winter?

Is it bad to sleep with windows Open in winter?

Sleeping with an open window can negatively impact your health as well. While cold air itself can't make you sick — colds and flus occur because germs overwhelm a person's immune system — it can potentially dry out nasal cavities, resulting in increased mucus production and a possible sinus infection.

Should you open the window when showering?

Cooking/showering

When cooking, open a window or use an extractor fan to let steam out. To reduce steam, keep a lid on saucepans as you cook. Open a window or use an extractor fan after a bath or shower and close the door so the moist air goes out of the window and not into the rest of your home.

Why do German houses have two front doors?

He traces the two-door house back to the combined dwelling house and animal stall—sometimes called a “housebarn” or Wohnstallhaus — which existed in every Germanic area of Europe in the first millennium. At first there were separate entrances to the animal stalls and the dwelling portion of these large houses.

What is something unique about German windows?

Multiple Seals

Most German Made products have 3 or 4 seals in the frame, and these are continuous even at the corners of the windows. So a non-broken seal is maintained, which in turn is airtight and more energy efficient.

What does "luften" mean in German?

verb. air [verb] to expose to the air in order to dry or make more fresh etc. She hung the bed sheets outside to air. ventilate [verb] to allow fresh air to enter (eg a room)

What is considered rude in Germany?

Having a loud conversation, talking loud on the phone, or listening to loud music are considered very impolite as you will disturb other people. German people love to have their privacy. If you see a closed door, it doesn't mean that the person inside does not want you to come in.

Why do Germans take their kitchen when they move?

The tenant laws allow Germans to own specific contents of their apartments, right down to the cabinets and sink, even when they are no longer renting the space the kitchen was in. So, when a renter leaves, it's within their rights to take everything that they own — right down to the kitchen sink.

Why are houses blurred in Germany?

The primary reason houses are blurred on Google Maps is to protect individual privacy.

What do Germans say when they open windows?

This practice is called lüften, which quite literally translates from German as to ventilate or air out.

Why are German winters so cold?

Winters in the North German Plain tend to be consistently colder, if only by a few degrees, than in the south, largely because of winds from Scandinavia. There is also a general decrease of winter temperature from west to east, with Berlin having an average temperature in January of 31.5 °F (−0.3 °C).

How long does it take to air out a house with windows open?

15 minutes is enough to air the house properly

A window open for 15 minutes is enough! That's it. With this method, only the indoor air will be cooled.

Why do American windows slide up?

The significant advantage of sliding up windows to classic tilt and turn windows are the free space when opening the window. Especially in the kitchen, objects can be placed in front of the window without blocking the window opening.

What does stoßlüften mean?

First things first, “Stoßlüften” is a German term that roughly translates to “shock ventilation” or “burst ventilation.” But don't let the fancy name fool you – it's a simple concept that involves opening your windows wide for a few minutes to let some fresh air burst into your living space.

What is the most famous window in the world?

6 of the most iconic windows in the world
  • The Rose of the Apocalypse at Sainte-Chapelle, Paris. ...
  • King's College Chapel, Cambridge. ...
  • The Tiffany Dome at the Chicago Cultural Center. ...
  • The aquarium window at Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Zhuhai. ...
  • The Pope's window, Vatican City. ...
  • The Burj Khalifa, Dubai.

Why do German doors have a lip?

German windows and doors are designed with two panes that are insulated between the frames. Each pane of glass has a slight lip on the inside of it to help with ventilation as well as prevent elements like rain and snow from entering the room.

Why do Americans have a second door?

One Door Was Formal, the Other Was Not

It's obvious, but two doors might have been in place to provide separate entrances to the home, opening to different spaces. While one door may have led to a formal area, the other could have been used for day-to-day business.

Do German houses have closets?

Similar to kitchens, German bedrooms also differ from a typical American bedroom. First, there are no closets inside of bedrooms. Some Germans opt for “open-air closets,” while others simply purchase a wardrobe to house their clothing.

Should you shower when you get home or before bed?

Most evidence seems to indicate that taking a shower one to two hours before bedtime gives the body enough time to reach the right temperature for sleep.

Why you should leave your window open at night?

While you may not feel these effects at night or while you sleep, you can feel them when you wake up in the morning. Leaving your window open increases airflow and decreases the carbon dioxide levels in your room, giving you a more peaceful rest.

Should you close the bathroom door after a shower?

Close the Bathroom Door

This prevents moist air from escaping into the rest of your house where it can cause condensation to form in other rooms. Keeping the door closed also makes the extractor fan more effective at removing the humidity from the bathroom and helping with overall bathroom mould prevention.

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