Is your conservatory too cold to stand in the winter? Or maybe it gets ridiculously warm in the summer?
Conservatories have a reputation for never being at the perfect temperature and always being at the extremes. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be this way.
In this guide, we’re going to help you turn your conservatory into the paradise you want it to be. Read on to discover the steps you can take to transform your conservatory into a place with year-round temperature control.
How to keep a conservatory cool during summer
There’s nothing better than kicking back in a conservatory on a beautiful summer’s day. What isn’t so nice though, is trying to relax in a hot conservatory that never seems to be cool enough to stand.
Install an air conditioning system
Another way to guarantee perfect temperatures inside your conservatory during the hot months is to install an air conditioning system.
Air conditioners blow cool air into the conservatory, creating currents that keep the atmosphere cool and fresh.
The very best air conditioners will operate without you even knowing that they’re there. They will be super quiet and won’t create any strong drafts in the room.
Of course, the main drawback of an A/C system is that it can be expensive. For many, this makes the air conditioner option less attractive.
Add CosyPanels to your conservatory
CosyPanels can be added to your existing conservatory in order to improve its temperature regulation. CosyPanels are an alternative to polycarbonate and glass and are much more effective at insulating your conservatory, keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
CosyPanels are engineered exclusively for All Seasons Roof and we can fit them to a variety of conservatory types. They have an extremely long life span and are an excellent investment for anyone looking to permanently improve the temperature regulation of their conservatory.
Keep windows and doors open
An easy (and free!) way to lower the temperature inside your conservatory is to keep it well ventilated. This means throwing open the windows and doors as often as you can to allow cool air to circulate through the room.
Now, this is not a permanent fix, since you can’t have your house wide open at all times during the day. Additionally, you could get bugs flying into the conservatory, which doesn’t usually make the environment particularly relaxing.
If you know it’s going to be a really hot day and you don’t have an A/C system installed, then we’d recommend getting the windows and doors open as early as you can.
Add blinds to windows
One method that has proven effective for keeping conservatories cool is adding blinds to the windows. This is something that many conservatory owners don’t consider and for some, it could be exactly what they need to stop their conservatories from getting too hot.
For this to be effective, you need to be going with lightweight, light-coloured blinds. Light colours bounce UV light away from them and don’t absorb as much heat. This is precisely what we want if we’re trying to keep heat out of a room.
Blinds don’t necessarily lead to a dark room either. There are plenty of materials that let some light through without absorbing all the heat. Blinds also provide privacy, which is especially nice if you have nosy neighbours!
Use a fan
A more affordable alternative to a full-on air conditioning setup is to use a fan. Fans can help ventilate an area and make the environment cooler.
A fan isn’t going to be nearly as effective as an A/C, but you’ll still see some decent results if you use one. You can also easily move a fan to different locations in the conservatory if you find one area gets particularly warm.
Overall, if you want to cool down your conservatory but you’re not ready to invest in an A/C system, then a fan is definitely the way to go.
Furnish with light-coloured items
We already discussed how light-coloured blinds can help keep heat out of the conservatory, and you can take this a step further by only furnishing your conservatory with light-coloured items.
Light-coloured furniture won’t absorb much heat and will help regulate the conservatory’s temperature. There’s nothing worse than sitting down on a brown leather sofa on a hot day.
How to keep a conservatory warm during winter
It isn’t just the summer months where it can be difficult to regulate a conservatory’s temperature. In the winter, conservatories are notorious for being freezing cold and completely unpleasant to be in.
Upgrade the insulation
The insulation in your conservatory roof and walls is an important feature when it comes to keeping the room warm. Over recent years, new materials have become much more effective and older conservatories often benefit greatly from an upgrade.
All Seasons Roof can add new insulation to your conservatory to transform it into a warm and cosy space. Good insulating will also work to keep your conservatory cool in the summer – a great year-round solution!
Request double-glazing
If you’re planning on getting a conservatory built, then it’s essential that your windows have double-glazing. This isn’t something to worry about too much since practically all modern conservatories are built with double-glazing, but it’s always worth checking that you’ll be getting it.
Double-glazed windows are extremely effective at keeping heat inside a conservatory and are an absolute must if you’re looking for a year-round room.
Underfloor heating
A more premium option that conservatory owners should consider is underfloor heating. Underfloor heating can be installed when the conservatory is built or it can be added at a later date. It can immediately improve the temperature regulation of a conservatory and adds a luxurious touch to the room.
Good underfloor heating is usually very energy efficient, so you won’t have to shell out loads of extra cash on your energy bills.
Install a general heating system
As well as looking at underfloor heaters, you should also consider installing a more traditional central heating system. Adding radiators to a conservatory is a surefire way to ensure that you’ll be able to increase the warmth of your conservatory room on those cooler days.
Conservatory roof replacement
If you have an older conservatory and have found temperature regulation challenging, then it could be time to think about a conservatory roof replacement.
An old conservatory roof can leak out loads of heat from the interior or absorb far too much heat from the sun. Modern advancements in roofing have resulted in designs that have dealt with the common problems that conservatory owners experience.
Lightweight roof tiling, insulated roofing, and CosyPanels are all fantastic additions that will greatly improve the energy efficiency and temperature regulation of any conservatory. Here at All Seasons Roof, we can install all of these measures to keep your conservatory comfortable all year round.
Factors that affect conservatory temperature
Building materials
One of the most important factors that determine temperature control is what the conservatory is actually made out of. Some building materials might look and feel great but if they can’t properly control the temperature then they’re not going to be a great choice.
Here are some of the most common types of material used in conservatory construction:
uPVC
uPVC is probably the most popular choice for building a modern conservatory. One of the main reasons for this is that it is extremely affordable, especially when compared to other options on this list.
Despite its low price, uPVC is very durable and requires little to no maintenance from the owners. It also provides decent temperature control, especially if the frame is built with insulation vents and other temperature regulating features.
Wood
Timber frames are also widely used to construct high-quality conservatories. Timber can be just as durable as uPVC, but it might require some extra maintenance when it comes to the paintwork.
Timber frames are the best choice if you live in a colder climate (think ski chalets). This is because wood holds a lot of heat and doesn’t let it escape into the atmosphere.
Of course, this can be an issue if you also experience hot summers, as the beating sun will transfer plenty of heat into the timber and often make the conservatory quite warm.
There are ways around this problem, and conservatories built from timber can have good, year-round temperature regulation features built-in. However, this is all going to come at a cost – a high-quality timber frame will usually be quite a bit more expensive than a uPVC one.
Aluminium
A slightly rarer frame material is aluminium. Aluminium is an extremely durable choice that won’t show any signs of age for years. Since they’re so strong, aluminium frames can be made very thin, meaning that more light will be let into the room.
Unlike wood, aluminium is a heat conductor, so doesn’t hold much heat inside. This makes it a great choice for warmer climates but perhaps not ideal for colder ones. You’ll most likely have to install a heating system in your conservatory if you decide to go with an aluminium frame.
Conservatory roof options
The roof structure of a conservatory is one of the biggest factors that determine how well the space can control temperature. In most instances, the roof will simply be built into the frame of the conservatory and made of the same material.
This isn’t always the case though, and a roof can be completely different to the conservatory materials used in the main frame. For example, some choose to have a tiled conservatory roof to match the rest of their home or to encourage heat retention.
Conservatory roofs can also be upgraded further down the line to improve a room’s heat control and to make it more energy-efficient. At All Seasons Roof, we offer a range of roof improvements that will make your conservatory a comfortable, year-round space.
Build quality
Just having the best materials to work with isn’t going to be enough to build a great conservatory. The quality of craftsmanship is going to have a massive impact on how well the room will be able to regulate heat.
Even the smallest frame misalignment can result in a drafty conservatory that isn’t going to be pleasant to sit in on colder days. Be sure to choose your builders wisely and look for those with plenty of conservatory experience.
Sunlight levels
The amount of sunlight that hits your conservatory during the day is also going to affect the interior temperature. If the sun is beating down on the glass for long periods of time then lots of solar radiation (heat) is going to be absorbed into the conservatory.
Of course, sunlight levels can’t be controlled, but anyone considering a conservatory should think carefully about where they want it to be built. Avoiding areas in constant sunlight, as well as those in complete shade, is probably the best way to achieve balanced temperatures.
Size
The final factor that will affect conservatory temperature is its size. Typically, the larger the conservatory, the cooler it is going to be. This is because it will require a much greater amount of sunlight and heat to increase the temperature.
On the other hand, a very small conservatory can sometimes feel like a greenhouse and reach uncomfortably high temperatures very quickly. As with many of the considerations in this section, it’s all about finding that perfect balance, which is often easier said than done.
FAQs
How do you regulate the temperature in a conservatory?
If your conservatory gets too hot, then we’d recommend looking into air conditioning systems, fans, and adding blinds to windows and doors. If it gets too hot, then you could consider central heating, heavy curtains, or installing a better conservatory roof.
What is the most efficient way to heat a conservatory?
Underfloor heaters are widely considered the most energy-efficient way to heat a conservatory. However, they are quite expensive, and many people might prefer to go with a simple plug-in heater to keep them warm.
How do I stop my conservatory from overheating?
Overheating is one of the most common problems that conservatory owners face during the warmer months. In our article above, we recommend adding air conditioning, installing light-coloured blinds, and keeping conservatory windows open when you can.
What is the best way to heat a conservatory in winter?
If you want to avoid a cold room, then the best choice is to install some kind of heater system. This could be underfloor, radiators, or a simple plug-in option. You should also think about adding draught excluders to reduce heat transfer without increasing your energy bills.