Introduction
Adding a conservatory to your home can be wonderful, but that doesn’t come without potential complications. Varying temperatures outside can pose issues for your new conservatory roof, which is why most people opt for roof insulation.
Whether you have an existing conservatory, are only looking for a replacement conservatory roof, or are thinking about adding this lovely addition, you’ll want to consider conservatory roof insulation for various reasons.
Lack of insulation is the source of almost every problem associated with conservatories. There are a number of conservatory heating options, and you can always choose the best conservatory heaters, but nothing tops having an insulated conservatory.
Why You Should Insulate Your Conservatory Roof
The main reason you’ll want to insulate your conservatory roof is varying temperatures that can be detrimental to the relaxing room. In the winter, they can get too cold, and in the summers, too hot. Insulation helps regulate the temperature and keep it comfortable throughout the year.
Besides the temperature, other issues you might face without insulation in your conservatory roof are mold growth and glare, and your furniture can fade over time.
Most people avoid insulating a conservatory because they don’t want to block the beautiful windows, but that’s why insulating the roof is a great option. Plus, insulating your conservatory ceiling will keep your energy bills at a more manageable rate.
Installing conservatory roof insulation is best left to the professionals. But, if you’re adding internal conservatory roof insulation, you might be able to do some on your own.
The Best Options to Consider
Which conservatory roof insulation option is best for you will depend on several factors like how much weight the structure can hold and what you want the roof to look like. Now that you know why you should insulate your conservatory roof, here are the most common and best materials.
Tiled Roofing
Tiled roofing is an excellent conservatory roof installation option. If you already have a conservatory, you’ll likely need to replace the roof because tiling requires specific structures they can attach to.
One of the main reasons people choose to go with tile roofing for their conservatory is that it’s one of the most aesthetically appealing options. Adding tiled roofing to the conservatory can make it look more like an extension of your home rather than a stand-alone structure.
If you’re thinking about adding tiles to insulate your conservatory roof, you’ll need to consider whether it can hold the tiles.
Tiles can be heavy, so your structure needs to be able to hold the tiles’ weight without compromising the building’s integrity. Next, you’ll want to look at the U-valve on your roof because, depending on the shape, tiling might not provide any insulation at all, which is the point of installing it.
Another thing to think about with tiled roofing is that it blocks the natural light from coming in from the ceiling. You can still get light from the windows, but if you love the natural light from the roof, this might not be the best insulation option for your conservatory. You can try to install a skylight to prevent loss of light, but that’s another huge decision.
Thick Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate roof panels are thicker than other materials, which can help do a better job of keeping the conservatory insulated. If you’re considering insulating your conservatory roof with a thick polycarbonate, you’ll likely have to adjust your roof’s current structure.
Polycarbonate comes in various thickness options, and the thicker the material, the better insulation it provides.
Even if you want the thickest polycarbonate option, it might not fit on your roof’s current panels and original frame. If you’re building a conservatory from the ground up, you can accommodate the thicker panels if you choose.
Despite the thickness of the polycarbonate, it’s surprisingly lightweight. They won’t weigh down your roof like other heavier materials like tiling might. The noise level is a major downside to using polycarbonate on your conservatory roof.
When it rains or strong storms impact the roof, the noise can be much louder than when you use other insulation materials. If you live where it rains often, your polycarbonate is subject to damage which can cause leaks and other roofing damage in your conservatory.
Insulated Panels
One of the top choices for conservatory insulation is insulated roof panels. They’re very effective because they’re made specifically to insulate conservatory roofs. Not only are they highly effective, but they’re also efficient.
Most insulated panels have a u-value of 0.29, which is significantly lower than polycarbonate panels. When you’re looking for roofing insulation, you’ll want a material with a lower u-value because it can keep the heat loss low.
Depending on where you get your insulated panels from, they might be made with different materials. The most popular are insulated aluminum panels. Aluminum panels usually use weather-resistant materials to ensure they don’t damage too soon after you’ve installed them on your existing conservatory roof.
They’ll be as strong as possible and lightweight, so they don’t weigh down your roof. Something people love about using insulated panels is that they still allow for plenty of light to seep into your conservatory. While others block most, if not all, of the light coming in, insulated panels don’t.
Window Film or Tinted Glass
An option to keep your conservatory insulations costs low is window films or tinted glass panels. The best part about window films is that you can get fun colors or patterns if you want to spice up your conservatory while insulating the roof.
Window film and tinted glass help lessen the glare inside the conservatory. Something to keep in mind when using these materials is that window film doesn’t have insulation properties on its own, hence why we’re bringing the roof insulation materials up together.
How much insulation your window film will provide will depend on how thick or how many levels of tinted glass you choose to apply.
In the winter, having several panes of glass will be beneficial to prevent heat loss, but in the summer, this might prevent light from reaching through your conservatory roof.
When choosing this option, be wary about how many panes you use because they can get heavy quickly. You’ll want to ensure your conservatory roof structure can hold the weight of the glass, but we love this option because it allows more light than a solid tiled roof.
Triple Glazing
Triple glazing is better than polycarbonate panels when you consider their u-valve rating of 1.2. This material will help reduce heat transfer, which helps regulate the temperature inside your conservatory.
This material can help reduce the noise you hear from rain and other weather, but it’s not as good as insulated panels. The main reason why triple glazing is one of the best options is the amount of light that can still come through your conservatory roof.
You’ll be able to regulate temperatures better without compromising on the beautiful sunlight most people crave with their conservatories.
Now, if you’re planning to use your conservatory as a home theater or office, you might not prefer this option because there can be a lot of glare that can cause your furniture to fade.
Triple glazing is a sturdy option that reduces the risk of it getting damaged as badly by poor weather. While there are some materials you can install on your own, you’ll want to consult a professional before using triple glazing to insulate your conservatory roof.
Aluminum Foil and Thermal Wadding
If you’re looking for the most affordable way to insulate your conservatory roof, many homeowners opt for a combination of aluminum foil and thermal wadding to do the job. These traditional insulation materials are budget-friendly and work wonders while not the prettiest.
Not only are aluminum foil and thermal wadding great at absorbing heat, but they can emit it too. The foil can act like a heat reflector and keep your conservatory at a comfortable temperature year-round.
As for the thermal wadding, it will absorb heat through the various air pockets it has. If you’re building a new conservatory, this might not be the best option for you because while it’s budget-friendly, aesthetics-wise, it’s not the best.
Using aluminum foil and thermal wadding is a practical choice when you already have a conservatory roof and are looking for a quick fix to your insulation problems before choosing another option on this list.
That’s not to say you can’t choose this option from the get-go. It’s relatively easy to install, and many people can do it independently without needing to hire a professional, saving you plenty on your conservatory roof insulation cost.
So, Which Conservatory Roof Insulation is the Best?
Insulating your conservatory roof is an excellent idea for several reasons. It helps keep the temperature even throughout the conservatory, doesn’t let too much heat or cold in weather extremes, and helps the conservatory be more energy efficient.
Choosing a conservatory roof insulation material is an essential step to having a conservatory where you’re thrilled to spend time in the room. There are several materials you can choose from, and they all have strengths and weaknesses.
Insulated roof panels are your best option if you want an efficient insulation material. If you have sturdy existing roof, tiling can be a great option.
Regardless, you’ll want a weather-resistant material that blocks sound but allows sunlight to reach inside your conservatory. If you’re looking for the best conservatory heater to use with insulation, be sure to check this article out.
