Although modern conservatories provide better insulation than ever before, many homeowners still look for ways where they can increase this further. 

If this is you, help is at hand! At WMDG, we are the leading conservatory company in Birmingham & the West Midlands, and have the years of experience to aid your insulation desires. 

With our top tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your conservatory all-year round, it will no longer be a drain on your energy bills and unnecessary heat loss will be a thing of the past! 

Why should you insulate your conservatory roof?

When looking at the options of increasing the thermal efficiency of a conservatory, the glazing is often the first aspect people look to. It’s unsurprising as after all, the windows do make up the largest surface area of a conservatory. 

However, it’s actually the conservatory roof where you should be placing your efforts! If your conservatory is particularly old, you’re probably facing the age old issue of your conservatory being too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. 

During the colder months, the majority of the soothing heat generated by your central heating or portable heaters is actually being lost via the conservatory roof. Warm air rises and there’s only one heat loss culprit to be found in that direction. 

Furthermore, during the summer months, many households often find that their conservatory can become a scorching hot furnace. The roof also has a part to play here. 

The heat from sun rays comes into the conservatory via the glazing in the roof, and the technology in this glazing traps the heat. It will then bounce around and linger in the conservatory contributing to the greenhouse effect that rapidly increases the temperature of the room. 

Therefore, if you can insulate your conservatory roof properly, the most noticeable difference in heat retention during the winter, and heat regulation during the summer will occur. Do away with portable heaters and industrial fans! Here are some solutions that we suggest… 

What is the best insulation for a conservatory roof?

The main factors that will dictate the answer to this question are the age of your conservatory, the style and your budget. More effective methods come with expense, and there is also the ease of installation to consider. 

Don’t necessarily dismiss the more expensive options though. As you may spend more time, effort and money in the long-run if the more inexpensive options don’t bring about the desired results! 

Solar Control Or Tinted Window Film

A great option for those working on a budget. This amazing film will allow you to add insulation to your conservatory without breaking the bank! The technology can best be described as large, elaborate stickers which can be attached to all of the glazing on your conservatory roof. 

It works by moderating the amount of sunlight, and therefore resultant heat, that comes through the glazing in a conservatory. Allowing you to retain the bright and summery atmosphere of your conservatory, whilst also providing more temperature control in the warmer & colder parts of the year.

It may not be as effective as some of the other options in this list, but it’s a fantastic starting point! Just ensure that you measure you glass panels carefully before you purchase the product. Any overlaps can look un-neat whilst any underlaps would be counter effective for insulation.

Aluminium Foil & Thermal Wadding

Sometimes the old ways are best, and these materials are a classic go-to option when it comes to insulating a conservatory roof. Using this tried & tested material combo, your conservatory roof will be far more effective at both absorbing and emitting heat. 

The aluminium foil acts as a brilliant heart reflector (which can easily be removed during the summertime if necessary), whilst the thermal wadding absorbs heat by trapping it in air pockets. 

During the warm months, the foil will simply bat any unwanted heat from the sun away, whilst in the winter…heat generated from your central heating won’t be lost. Instead, it will be trapped in those air pockets, keeping your living space super toasty and ultra cosy. 

The combination is another cost-effective option for those struggling with insulation woes. 

Ceiling Blinds

The great thing about ceiling blinds is that you can open and close them as you please. Keep the blinds open when the sun is out if you wish to heat up your conservatory. 

Conversely, you can close them when the room is warm enough or when the evening-time comes around and you want to preserve heat. 

We recommend opting for thermal blinds if you choose to go down this route. These are made of fabric specifically designed to keep heat in, and are far superior to traditional blinds when it comes to insulating a living space. 

Furthermore, it is definitely worthwhile to have custom blinds made to fit your exact conservatory roof specifications. You want to ensure that there are no large gaps in your blinds which would allow heat to escape! 

Upgrade Your Polycarbonate Roof

It’s possible to expand the glazing bars in a polycarbonate conservatory roof, so a thicker layer of polycarbonate can be installed. There’s also the option of adding a thin layer of polycarbonate to the existing structure. 

Both will offer better insulation as the thicker panels have better thermal efficiency, and can better regulate the temperature extremes associated with summer and winter months. 

However, it’s worth noting that most polycarbonate roofs have a lifespan of around a decade. So, you’ll want to think about the opportunity cost here. Is it the most feasible long term solution, or would you be better off with the next option on our list…

Add A Solid Roof To Your Conservatory

The most permanent solution of all is to convert your existing conservatory roof into a solid conservatory roof. This will effectively turn your conservatory into a conservatory-extension hybrid, where you will get the best of both worlds. 

Uninterrupted garden views via the windows but a living space with incredible insulation. If you’re worried about potentially losing access to sky views and loss of natural light, there are workarounds! 

A solid roof can be installed with glass panels, skylights or a lantern roof to ensure that the room is perfectly balanced in all aspects. 

Furthermore, the fully functional roof can integrate seamlessly to the rest of your home, and will create a room that can be enjoyed no matter what the external climate may be. 

Temperature control will be a breeze and many feel that the conversion makes the space feel more connected to the rest of the home. Another added benefit is that an investment of this nature will likely increase the overall value of your property!

In the short term, you can enjoy the best conservatory roof insulation solution available. In the long term, you can reap the financial benefits should you ever decide to move somewhere new. 

And That Is Our Take On How To Insulate A Conservatory Roof…

We hope you found this blog extremely informative, and that it will help you tremendously on your quest for better insulating your conservatory roof! 

At West Midlands Double Glazing, we are always happy to provide advise with our decades of industry experience, so never hesitate to give us a call on 0121 532 0784 or fill out any of our contact forms.

If you live in Birmingham, the West Midlands & surrounding areas, and are looking to add a solid conservatory roof to your home, definitely get in touch! 

We have a range of conservatory roofing options available and are one of the only companies in the region who provide flexible finance options on all of our services. You can get the conservatory roof you need today and spread the cost via small & convenient monthly instalments! 

We wish you the best of luck on your insulating journey!