Here's why you should insulate your conservatory roof

If you're lucky enough to have a conservatory, we think you should be able to use it all year round. Unwind with a good book in the winter, enjoy a garden view in the spring, listen to your favourite music in the autumn or entertain friends in the summer. Sound ideal? We agree. But with a glass or poly carbonate roof, you may never have a functional, comfortable conservatory.

It's time to use your conservatory for more than just storage. Read on for more information about how conservatory roof insulation can transform this space into the most favoured room in the house – all year round.

Do you really need conservatory roof insulation?

 

This is a valid question. Perhaps you're worried about the expense of hiring a professional to insulate your conservatory ceiling, or maybe you think insulating the roof will change the look and layout of your conservatory. Before making a decision, consider the following:

• Is your conservatory unbearably hot in the summer?

• Is your conservatory unreasonably cold in the winter?

• Can you sit in the conservatory when it's raining and carry on a conversation without having to shout?

• Do you find yourself closing off the room when the temperature is too hot or too cold?

• Are your utility bills significantly higher when the conservatory is in use?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, conservatory roof insulation is the solution you have been looking for.

How can an insulated conservatory roof help?

There are significant benefits to conservatory roof insulation.

First, you'll get immediate temperature regulation. Insulation prevents heat loss during the winter and in the summer. An insulated conservatory ceiling also means no more greenhouse effect when the sun beats down on the roof. You will have a comfortable, usable living space at any time of year.

Conservatory roof insulation can help reduce your energy costs significantly. An insulated ceiling cuts down on drafts and maintains a more consistent temperature in the room, which means you will no longer need to adjust your thermostat to compensate for the conservatory’s effect on the rest of the house.

Sound insulation is another key benefit. Ever try sitting in a glass roof conservatory on a rainy day? The sound of the rain pounding on the ceiling can be deafening. An insulated conservatory roof absorbs noise much better than glass, so you can enjoy your room no matter the weather.

In terms of looks, an insulated conservatory roof makes the room feel like a true extension of your home. You can paint or plaster it, and the ceiling will be much easier to clean and maintain than a traditional glass roof.

As you can see, it makes good sense to consider conservatory roof insulation. From cost savings to energy efficiency to aesthetics, there really is no comparison!

Everything you Should know about conservatory roof blinds

We often find ourselves at the centre of the conservatory roof blinds versus conservatory roof insulation debate, so we thought we'd share some basic information about roof blinds and let you decide for yourself what's best for your conservatory.

Why should I consider conservatory roof blinds?

If you've spent any time at all in a typical conservatory, you know that these rooms—though lovely—can become unbearably hot in the summer and impossibly cold in the winter. The main function of conservatory roof blinds is to help regulate the temperature of the space.

Are there different styles to choose from?

Of course! Conservatory roof blinds are no one-size-fits-all affair. There are styles, colours and finishes to match nearly any décor.

• Pleated shades: The versatile, lightweight shades come in a range of fabrics, so you'll have plenty of different options for texture and colour. Pleated shades also fold tightly, and they won't interfere with your gorgeous garden view. Keep in mind, though, that most pleated shades are totally opaque, and some fabrics may darken your conservatory more than you would like.
  

• Pinoleum blinds: A very popular choice, pinoleum blinds, are made from natural materials woven to create a fabric. These conservatory roof blinds effectively block out the harsh glare of the sun, yet allow light to filter in so your space always feels bright and welcoming. While these can be installed under rafters and eaves—meaning you won't need a blind for every window—they do roll up quite a size and can obstruct the view from your windows.

• Roller shades: Simple, clean and easy to operate, roller shades are a solid choice for your conservatory. They come in an array of colours to suit your décor and can be easily fitted with motors for convenient automation. However, roller shades can buckle over time, especially on windows larger than 2 metres; if your conservatory roof has very large windows, you might want to consider an alternative.

Any cons that I should know about?

A significant challenge with conservatory roof blinds is that they do not afford the user with effectively low U values. In short they are not very efficient.

Now, if you want to truly turn your conservatory into a comfortable, functional space, consider conservatory roof insulation. Although decorative window treatments look nice, they really can't match the energy efficiency of an insulated conservatory ceiling. Your space will stay cool in the summer, hold heat in the winter and become the heart of your home all year round.

Conservatory roof insulation: The basics

You love your conservatory. You love the sunlight streaming through in summer. This warms everything to approximately the same temperature as the inside of your oven. Or maybe not. Maybe you love it in the winter, snuggling under a blanket with a good book and a cup of tea, your teeth chattering uncontrollably whilst your breath curls in columns above your head. Maybe not that so much either. 

Wouldn’t it be nice to spend time in your conservatory comfortably, all the year round without worrying about extreme temperatures? Conservatory roof insulation is an effective, cost-efficient way to help regulate the temperature of your space so you can enjoy it in any season. 

 

Understanding heat

Conservatory roof insulation is used to control the flow of heat into and out of your home. The conservatory roof insulation helps the room hold warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer. It is the perfect solution. So, before we talk about insulation, we need to talk about heat.

Heat is generated not only by your home's heating system but also by people, pets, appliances and light fixtures. No matter the source, it moves around your home by one of three principles. The first is radiation. Radiant heat moves in the form of waves. This is the kind of heat you feel when you stand close to a fireplace or hold your hand over a lit candle. The second principle is convection. Convection occurs when warm air and cool air begin to move in a cycle—the warm air rises, the cool air falls. This is why a radiator pulls cool air in from the bottom and pumps warm air out from the top. The third principle is conduction. Conduction occurs when an object comes in contact with a heated surface. Frying an egg uses conduction heat.

Heat and your home

Heat always moves from warm areas to cool areas. When the weather is warm outside, heat moves through the walls, windows and foundation into your home. This is called heat gain. During winter months, the warm air from your heating system passes through walls and windows to the outside. This is called heat loss.

If you don't have conservatory roof insulation, you will face uncontrolled heat gain and heat loss. This not only makes your conservatory too hot in summer and too cold in winter, but it can really cost you on utility bills because your HVAC system will have to work overtime to make up the difference.

The insulation solution

Conservatory roof insulation helps slow the movement of heat through the room. It works to prevent heat loss in the winter, keeping more warm air inside your conservatory. In addition to that, it also helps to limit heat gain in the summer, holding cooler air inside your home.

With a properly planned and professionally installed conservatory roof insulation scheme, your conservatory will become a comfortable, year-round space.