Is Conservatory Insulation A Good Idea
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- 24-11-2021
If you own a conservatory, you may be asking: is conservatory insulation a good idea? We look at why you should get conservatory roof insulation.
Should I get conservatory roof insulation or replace the roof?
It is a tough decision to make; however, it is far better to insulate your roof or install a new, more energy-efficient roof than to deal with heat loss during the winter months and extensive heat penetrating the glass in the summer.
Conserving heat will allow you to reduce your energy bills year-round, as you'll be able to turn the heating off more frequently in the colder months.
Replacing the existing roof with a more efficient solid roof that utilises plenty of insulation materials will cost you much more money.
However, it is cost-effective and will serve you in the long term, helping you save money and add value to your home.
Potential buyers will see this feature in your home and buy into it, knowing that it reduces costs and keeps them warm in the cold seasons and cooler in the warmer ones.
Installing insulation is much cheaper and a quicker fix; it is more of a short-term solution to the issue of heat loss, but it will allow your conservatory to be far more environmentally friendly.
Why is my conservatory too hot in summer and too cold in winter?
Glass is one of the least insulating materials; however, it is incredibly durable, long-lasting and allows for the see-through aesthetic appeal that comes with a conservatory extension. A room entirely made of glass walls will always be much colder than other areas of the home.
Still, if a professional installer had poorly installed your conservatory, it would dramatically affect its performance and lack of thermal qualities. In the wintertime, plenty of heat escapes via the glass and its surrounding framing.
Older conservatories tend to be an even more significant problem for heat retention. They encourage lots of cold draughts. They were often poorly built or used older structural methods.
They do not include the modern glass technology and materials that we have available today. We have double and even access to triple glazing glass materials, thermal panel breaks, and argon-filled cavities in today's age.
Traditional Victorian conservatories of the past utilised linoleum, woven wood or timber material and provided a stunning sheer natural finish.
You may wish to search for honeycomb designs that offer hexagonal hollow tubes to trap air and insulate a conservatory roof and room. It is an incredibly eco-friendly choice instead of curtains or blinds.
How can I reduce heat loss from my conservatory?
The market for any retrofitted insulation system in the UK generally thrives, and this is because they are a fantastic solution for reducing heat loss from your conservatory.
Retrofitted insulation systems help boost your home thermal efficiency, and they can do so by covering the ceiling and glass from its inside. You can still retain the appearance of the conservatories exterior with this method.
One can even go down the DIY route by creating and installing a quilt made of foil that you can attach to the battens of the structure and finish by covering it with UPVC plasterboard. However, if you want the job done correctly, we highly recommend that you get a professional company to complete the job for you if the costs match your budget as you can ensure a top-quality job.
Benefits of conservatory roof insulation
Insulating the conservatory ceiling allows you to save money on your energy bills by making your space much more energy-efficient.
There are a series of other benefits to insulating a conservatory roof, including:
Improving the temperature regulation inside, making it warmer in the winter months and cooler in the summertime.
Reducing the intensity of the rain noise
It makes your conservatory feel like an actual room and a part of your house instead of an extension.
However, the goal is to strive for a breathable space that allows for cross ventilation, as there can often be drawbacks to complete roof insulation. You don't want to run the risk of excessive condensation build-up. To prevent such a thing from happening, you may want to install a few air vents.
What's the Best Way to Insulate a Conservatory?
Install a New Conservatory Roof
Replacement conservatory roofs are an incredibly prevalent choice and an efficient way to insulate your conservatory extensions. Plenty of heat inside your conservatory escapes through its roof, so the most effective way to prevent this heat loss is by installing a barrier.
Many companies provide your conservatory roofs with insulated solid plasterboard, breathable membranes, PIR insulated boards, lightweight tiles and efficient guttering. Suppose you want to replace your roof with something more practical that will trap in the heat.
You may be concerned with losing light; you can select many lights to add inside your conservatories, such as glass panels, spotlights or a roof lantern.
It will enhance the aesthetics and ultimately make your conservatory living space appear cosy while regulating the temperature.
Install Blinds or Roof Drapings
Suppose your budget is incredibly tight, and you can't afford to break the bank on several solutions to prevent cold in your conservatory.
One of the easiest ways to do so is by installing roof drapings and blinds over the glass to shield the cold and extreme heat in the summertime.
Blinds and roof drapings do keep a fraction of the cold out in the winter months, but they often aren't as effective during this time.
You may wish to search for some thermal blinds, which may enhance their ability a little more. It is one of the cheapest options you could take; however, should your blinds or draping begin to grow mould due to the dampness of the condensation, it may be a little more expensive to replace.
To prevent this, ensure that you clean the blinds or draping regularly and try methods to rid condensation.
Upgrade Your Polycarbonate Roof
It can be possible to expand the existing glazing bars of your conservatory extension; doing so provides you with the ability to install a thick layer of polycarbonate underneath the structure, which offers homeowners far better insulation essential for the colder seasons.
Most polycarbonate structures and roofs tend to have a lifespan of approximately ten years, so depending on your budget, you may want to assess whether or not it's a feasible solution for the long term.
Polycarbonate cannot solve the issue of condensation within your insulated conservatory, so this is also something you will have to account for with another tactic.
Solar Control Film
For those wanting to keep a garden feel for their conservatory, you may wish to try material known as solar control film. Solar control film is a thin sheet of fabric that you can apply to your conservatory windows.
The film acts as an absorbent of heat and reradiates it, which essentially means it will retain all the heat inside your conservatory and successfully reduce the glare of the sunlight and its ever-present UV rays.
You need to ensure that you're purchasing high-quality films that perfectly fit your windows; otherwise, you'll risk them peeling overtime or the next few years. Some manufacturers of conservatories will void your warranty should you apply solar control film on the windows, so it's best to ensure you check beforehand.
Aluminium Foil & Thermal Wadding
Much like tiled roof systems, you can add foil and wadding to your conservatory, which should increase the structure's insulating properties. Instead of replacing your roof, the goal is to build around and layer underneath the glass with the appropriate amount of insulation.
You can choose to opt for specific finishes on your thermal wadding, such as plaster or plastic. Plastic can hold plenty of lights if you're looking to create a cosy atmosphere that is functional for living in.
Foil and wadding are most suitable for warmer climates and weather; it helps you prevent intense heat from outside from entering your house or property without degrading it. It's best to combine it with thermal insulation materials; otherwise, it may not be as effective.
Why Do Conservatories Get Cold?
It is highly likely that when you own a conservatory, you will experience some cold temperatures. The most significant reason for this is a lack of insulation or the work of a poor insulator.
Your conservatory may face some struggles retaining the heat that it is either projecting onto your building, coming from the fire or heaters inside your home. You may find that cold air will enter your conservatory with ease.
Generally, heat rises, so, unfortunately, much of the heat inside your conservatory will transfer through the roof.
Are you considering conservatory insulation? We offer professional thermal insulation solutions for domestic and commercial conservatories throughout the UK.
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