If you are wondering what the warmest conservatory roof is, we offer some suggestions about conservatory roof options. Find out more about the types of roofing insulation available.
Do I need to change my conservatory roof?
There are numerous problems a bad conservatory roof can cause, many of which will cause homeowners to stop using the room altogether. The most common problem is the overwhelming heat during the summer, as the conservatory suffers from a greenhouse-like effect that heats the room way higher than what could be considered a comfortable temperature.
During winter, conservatory roofs can cause the room to become too cold as many roofs are not properly insulated.
Polycarbonate roofing systems are also notoriously loud when it rains, which makes watching TV, having conversations or even focusing on reading difficult. Roofs that aren't insulated are vulnerable to mould, condensation and leaks, all of which can completely put off homeowners from wanting to use their conservatory.
Glass roof panels although quieter than polycarbonate during rain still suffer from overhearing and glare in the summer months and being cold in the winter.
If you have faced any of the mentioned problems with your conservatory roof, it may be time for an upgrade. Before making any changes to your building, be sure to check the building regulations first.
What are the Traditional conservatory roof materials?
From new there are typically three options: Polycarbonate, tiles, and glass. Which material is best for you depends on your specific needs and budget.
Another reasonable consideration is having no roof at all. However, this would transform your conservatory into more of a garden building for the summer, as it wouldn't be very practical outside of that.
Glass conservatory roofs
Glass is the perfect option if natural light is an important factor to you. Provided you keep the glass clean, it will let the daylight through, which will lighten up your conservatory and even make it appear more spacious.
Glass also benefits the plants in your conservatory as they have clear access to natural light, allowing them to grow well unlike with polycarbonate or tiled roofs.
Since double glazing has been introduced, glass has become a powerhouse when it comes to being thermally efficient.
This means your glass conservatory is no longer just an expensive greenhouse. You can save on energy bills by using a glass roof, as with less internal heat escaping, your home will be more energy-efficient (especially if you close windows and doors).
Double-glazed glass roofs typically last between 15-20 years. As modern technology advances, many attractive new glass varieties have been introduced. One of which is tinted glass, which will protect your conservatory against UV rays (preserving your furniture). Another attractive glass option is self-cleaning glass, which breaks down dirt by reacting with the sunlight.
Furthermore, if you're looking to impress your visitors, glass is the perfect option. It is very attractive and can even be improved by adding aluminium frames for sleekness.
Unfortunately, glass can be very expensive, especially if you have a big roof to cover. It will cost more than polycarbonate but usually less than roof tiles.
POLYCARBONATE CONSERVATORY ROOFS
Polycarbonate is a great value option if you're on a budget as the material is effective yet affordable.
It is made using multiple layers of plastic sheeting with air gaps in the middle. Whilst it isn't as visually attractive as glass, it still does its job of letting in a fair amount of natural light.
One of the main benefits of Polycarbonate conservatory roofs is that they do not require much maintenance at all.
They last between 15-20 years on average, and many suppliers offer 10+ year guarantees. Unfortunately, as polycarbonate is cheap, it comes with numerous downsides. Most importantly, the thermal efficiency of polycarbonate is pretty poor compared to glass, meaning the conservatory could get too hot during summer and too cold during winter.
Additionally, rainfall is notoriously loud on polycarbonate roofs, which can make it difficult to enjoy many of the uses of a conservatory living space, such as reading, napping or watching TV.
Solid or tiled conservatory roofs
Solid roofs give less daylight than polycarbonate or glass roofs, although it makes your conservatory look more like a proper extension of your property as opposed to a garden add-on.
The thermal efficiency of tiled roofing is so high that you'll never have to even think about it. It performs well during hot summer days and cold winter nights, so you can enjoy your conservatory all year round.
With the reduced glare and improved insulation, your conservatory can serve previously unsuitable purposes, such as a guest bedroom or a home office.
This makes your conservatory a much better investment as many conservatories go underused most of the year when the temperature isn't high enough. If you want more natural light to get in, but you want to keep the great insulation, Velux-style windows can be added to the tiled roof.
Tiled roofs are independent and tough, which is what keeps their upkeep so low. They will last up to 50 years on average, so you'll certainly get your money's worth.
Furthermore, roof tiles are versatile when it comes to colour and style, so you'll be able to find a roof that perfectly matches your house. They don't sparkle and possess a glassy sheen, although they'll still make your conservatory look attractive and sophisticated.
Tiled roof installation is considerably harder than installing polycarbonate or glass, but it is well worth it. As the structure of an average conservatory is not built to support a heavy roof, additional supports, such as batons and rafters, will need to be added during the construction.
What Conservatory Roof Is The Warmest?
A tiled roof conservatory offers better warmth than glass or polycarbonate.
Tiled roofs do not allow the room to become scorching hot in the summer, as there is no greenhouse effect, unlike with glass. Tiled roofs offer great insulation, which keeps heat in more effectively than alternatives such as glass or using blinds.
If you can't afford a tiled roof, the next best option for conservatory warmth is glass. Glass performs much better than polycarbonate in terms of heat efficiency. During colder months, glass roofs will do a much better job of preventing heat from escaping than polycarbonate roofs.
The warmer conservatory will allow you to rely less on central heating, which could help you save on heating bills. Additionally, glass lets natural light in more effectively than polycarbonate conservatory roofs.
Insulated Conservatory Roof Panels
Many conservatories are either too hot or too cold, depending on the time of year. Homeowners are left with a room that never satisfies them, as it is constantly uncomfortable to stay in. Fortunately, conservatory insulation panels offer a perfect solution to the temperature problem.
Insulated "sandwich" panels can be installed, replacing your existing conservatory roof panels, which will improve the heat efficiency of the roof significantly. There are many options available for the panels, with a multitude of thicknesses and sizes, it will be an easy task to find one that suits your home.
Insulated roof panels come in thicknesses between 10mm and 100mm. If you're on a budget and need something cheap and effective, or you have much to spend, and you're looking for a premium, strong roof, you can choose a thickness that suits your needs perfectly.
Manufacturers are able to offer panels with a maximum length of 7.5 metres, which is more than enough for most homes. The panels come in a variety of colours for both the internals and externals of the conservatory.
Suppliers offer numerous neutral options for the externals, such as slate grey, copper brown and white. For internal colours, cream, ivory, and white are all attractive options that a company is likely to offer.
Insulated conservatory roof panels come with extra features such as integral acoustic options and security layers.
Are you considering conservatory insulation? We offer professional thermal insulation solutions for domestic and commercial conservatories throughout the UK.
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