How Can I Make My Conservatory Usable All Year Round?
How can I make my conservatory usable all year round?
If you had a conservatory installed years ago when they were all the rage, or you've moved into a house that already has one, there's a good chance you've discovered that it's virtually unusable for much of the year.
Too hot in summer, freezing cold in winter, and often more trouble than it's worth, what should be an extra living space can quickly become a source of frustration.
The most common complaints about traditional glass and polycarbonate conservatory roofs include:
- Unbearably hot temperatures during summer
- Freezing cold temperatures during winter
- Uncomfortable glare from the sun
- Unsightly dirt and bird poo accumulating on clear roof panels
- Polycarbonate panels becoming yellow and discoloured with age
- Excessive noise from rain and hail, particularly with polycarbonate roofs
The good news is, you don't necessarily need a new conservatory to fix these problems!
Here at Warm Roof Division, transforming old, uncomfortable conservatories into practical living spaces that can be enjoyed throughout the year is what we do best.
We've put together this guide to explain the different conservatory roof replacement options available, including their advantages, disadvantages and relative costs.
Option 1 - Insulated Conservatory Roof Panels
The cheapest option is to have the old glass/polycarbonate roof panels replaced with insulated conservatory roof panels, such as Panel X.
Pros
- Relatively cheap – Get an instant online quote here
- 1 day installation
- Doesn’t usually require planning permission
- Can usually be installed even on old frames
- Improves temperature regulation – U-Value of 0.75-0.98
- Eliminates 100% of glare caused by roof
- Panels are 100% opaque, meaning no visible dirt or bird poo from inside
- Dampens noise from rain and hail
- Available in a wide range of style and colour options to match your property
- 10-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Building regulation compliant
Cons
- Can only be installed in uPVC and aluminium frames, not suitable for timber conservatories
- Temperature regulation is improved, but not to the same level as with a tiled roof
Option 2 - Tiled Timber Warm Roof
The second cheapest option is to have the entire roof replaced with a fully insulated, tiled timber warm roof, such as the Icotherm System.
Pros
- The cheapest type of warm roof we sell
- Typically installed in just a few days
- Doesn’t usually require planning permission
- Can usually be installed on existing frames
- Excellent temperature regulation – U-value of 0.15
- Eliminates 100% of glare caused by roof (unless glass options are chosen)
- Looks like a standard tiled roof from the outside, and a proper plastered ceiling inside, so no visible dirt or bird poo from inside
- Significantly reduces noise from rain and hail
- Available in a wide range of lightweight shingle and slate effect tiles to match your property
- Fixed and opening roof glazing options can be added is required
- 10-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Building regulation compliant
Cons
- Heavier than GRP warm roofs, not suitable for all conservatories
Option 3 - Tiled GRP Lightweight Warm Roof
The ultimate warm roof solution is to have the entire roof replaced with a fully insulated, tiled, lightweight GRP warm roof, such as the Leka System, which is the lightest on the market.
Pros
- The lightest type of warm roof, suitable for virtually all conservatories
- Typically installed in just a few days
- Doesn’t usually require planning permission
- Can usually be installed on existing frames
- Excellent temperature regulation – U-value of 0.15
- Eliminates 100% of glare caused by roof (unless glass options are chosen)
- Looks like a standard tiled roof from the outside, and a proper plastered ceiling inside, so no visible dirt or bird poo from inside
- Significantly reduces noise from rain and hail
- Available in a wide range of lightweight shingle and slate effect tiles to match your property
- Fixed and opening roof glazing options can be added is required
- 40-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Building regulation compliant
Cons
- More costly than insulated panels and timber warm roofs
Which Conservatory Roof Replacement Is Right for Me?
The best option will depend on your budget, the condition of your existing conservatory and how you want to use the space.
If you're looking for an affordable way to improve insulation without replacing the entire roof structure, insulated roof panels could be the ideal solution.
If you'd prefer to give your conservatory the appearance and feel of a more permanent extension, a fully insulated warm roof with a plastered internal ceiling may be worth the additional investment.
For conservatories where roof weight is a particular consideration, a lightweight GRP system could offer additional advantages, although the existing structure will still need to be assessed.
Not sure which option would work best for your conservatory?
Warm Roof Division can help you explore the available solutions and find one that suits your property and budget.