A conservatory should be one of the nicest rooms in the house. Too often it is too hot to sit in on a sunny afternoon and too cold to use from November to March.
Because a conservatory is mostly glass, the type of glass has a big influence on how comfortable it is. That is especially true of the roof.
Why conservatories get so hot
Sunlight passes through the glass and warms everything inside. That heat cannot easily get back out, so the temperature climbs. A glass roof faces the sun for most of the day, which is why it contributes so much.
Solar control glass has a coating that reflects a share of the sun's heat before it gets in. It is available in tinted and neutral finishes, so you can choose how much it changes the look and the light. It is a common choice for conservatory roofs.
Why they get so cold
In winter the problem reverses. Heat escapes through large areas of glass, and older units may no longer be insulating as well as they did.
Low E glass reflects heat back into the room, so the conservatory holds its warmth for longer. You can read more in what Low E glass is.
Keeping the roof clean
Roof panes are hard to reach and quickly look grubby. Self-cleaning glass has a special coating on the outside face that works with daylight to break down dirt, and helps rainwater spread out and rinse it away. It does not remove the need for cleaning completely, but it can cut it down a lot, particularly where rain falls freely on the glass.
Replace one pane, or several
Every pane in a conservatory is its own sealed unit, so a misted or broken pane can be replaced on its own. If several panes are failing, it may be worth upgrading them together to get the benefit of better glass across the whole room.
Glass in a conservatory roof is overhead glazing, so it needs to be a suitable safety glass. That is something we take care of when we make the units.
Whether you have one misted pane or want to make the whole room more comfortable, see our conservatory glass replacement page, or contact us for a free quote.
