A conservatory is an ideal addition to many people’s homes for a variety of reasons; they’re great for enjoying the outdoors, offer a place to relax and unwind, they give you plenty of extra storage space and will add value to your property.

However, conservatories can be very much seasonal spaces, which can be great in the spring and summer but very uncomfortable in the autumn and winter. Because of how they’re designed, conservatories are very susceptible to the weather and general climate.

Insulating Your Roof

The key to getting your conservatory to have just the right temperature all year round is all in the insulation. Around 25% of all heat is lost through the roof so it’s the best place to start with your insulation work.

Insulating your conservatory roof is a relatively straightforward process using your insulation of choice whether its insulation boards, VIPS or foam to name just a few. You fill in the space between the roof’s rafters and then plaster a new ceiling for the conservatory.

By insulating the roof, you’ll be ensuring no light passes through it giving you a more relaxing space. You could also give your new ceiling a paint with emulsion or thermal paint or a new interior finish if you have a particular look in mind like a tiled roof.

There’s a variety of ways you can insulate your conservatory and we’re going to look at some of the most common, and some more uncommon insulation methods below.

Blinds

Conservatory blinds aren’t just a fashionable accessory, they can help with insulating your conservatory as well. Roof blinds will help keep your conservatory warmer for longer especially during the winter months and they can also be used to help give you shade when the light is very strong as well.

Conservatory blinds are available in a variety of different materials so you can use the best for your needs. However, with blinds does come the added risk of condensation so you will have to carry out regular checks and be prepared to care and maintain them if you don’t when them to run the risk of becoming mouldy.

Thermal paints

Thermal paints are specially designed emulsion paints designed to help with the thermal efficiency of your home. While some manufacturers do use the thermal paint label, others simply refer to it as emulsion paint. Either way, these paints are designed to prevent heat from attracting to cold surfaces.

These paints can be useful for keeping your conservatory warmer for longer, especially if you paint your conservatories ceiling with them. However, their effectiveness is widely debated and when used alone, it may not make much of a difference.

Thin Insulation/ Vacuum Insulated Panel

Insulation boards are one of the most common ways to insulate a room and a conservatory is no different. But before you plan on insulating your conservatory’s roof, consider whether you’re really using the best type of insulation.

You won’t have a lot of space in a conservatories roof which means jamming it full of insulation could be very difficult and not very practical. Thin insulation boards will work a lot better especially vacuum insulated panels (VIPs) as they provide the same function as regular methods of insulation but are much thinner.

With VIPs, you don’t have to let limited space stop you from properly insulating your conservatory roof. So, if space for insulation is an issue with your conservatory then consider VIPs or more narrow insulation boards to get the job done.

Converting To A Solid Roof

A solid roof is the best insulator for a conservatory as it’s a guaranteed way to help you keep your conservatory warmer without running the risk of issues like damp or mould. If your conservatory currently has a glass or polycarbonate roof, you can get a conservatory roof replacement to convert to a solid one. This is a costlier solution but one that is going to be more effective in the long term, enabling you to enjoy the space throughout the year.

To find out more about replacing your conservatory roof with a solid roof, get in touch with Metrotile by calling us on 01249 658 514 or fill in our contact form.