As the temperature rises conservatories can often become unbearably hot, hindering your enjoyment of this versatile space. But, by following some easy tips, you can ensure that your conservatory room remains usable through the heights of summer.
Whether you’re looking to block out the sun’s rays, find ways to naturally cool down the space, or make simple adjustments to keep the temperature at a comfortable level, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s explore the best ways to beat the heat and transform your conservatory into a cool haven today.
1. Improve Ventilation
Perhaps the simplest method of keeping a conservatory cool in the summer is ensuring that it is well-ventilated. You can get started by opening your windows and doors. You can also turn on an oscillating fan to help the air circulate, which is especially useful if there isn’t a breeze.
Your conservatory roof could also be put to good use here. Roof vents, skylights, and even a traditional conservatory ceiling fan can all help to keep the air moving within it.
2. Put Up Some Blinds
Another classic cooling method, a set of stylish blinds is affordable, easily matched to all your furnishings, and won’t be too difficult to install. They’ll also block out the sun to prevent your space from heating up too much when you want to use it.
Blinds also have a couple of extra benefits, such as aiding insulation, which means they’ll help to retain heat in winter. They also cover up your clear windows, offering you more privacy and helping to keep your home secure.
3. Use a Cooling Film on Your Glazing
Cooling film is an adhesive layer that you can add to glass panes, designed to reflect around 80% of the sun’s rays off the glass and away from your conservatory. The film isn’t just heat reflective, either; it also works on UV rays, meaning your skin and your furnishings won’t suffer from sun damage.
Cooling films are usually quite an affordable option as well. 50mm rolls typically cost somewhere between £10 and £12 and they can usually be applied by anyone with some DIY experience. However, some experts recommend getting a professional to apply them if your conservatory is tall.
4. Fit an Air Conditioning Unit
A guaranteed way to keep a conservatory cool in summer is to buy and install an air conditioning system. It’s very important to note that this is one of the more expensive ways to cool any part of your property, though. You may wish to decide on a dual system to reduce heat in summer and retain heat in winter, getting as much use out of the unit as possible.
5. Choose Lighter Furnishings
It’s common knowledge that darker colours absorb heat, while lighter ones reflect it. The same applies to the furniture and fittings in your conservatory. White or light-coloured conservatory walls and soft fabrics will help to reflect light and heat coming in through the glass.
Avoid dark soft furnishings wherever possible, and avoid leather entirely. The material can become extremely hot under the sun.
6. Consider Your Plants and Trees
If you haven’t yet built your conservatory, or if your garden needs landscaping work, you can always ensure the conservatory is placed in the shade of a tree. You can either build your conservatory directly in the shade of one that’s already grown, or you can plant one for shade in the future. It’s also inexpensive and good for the environment.
7. Choose the Right Flooring
For conservatories still in the planning stage, or if you’re intending on renovating one that’s already built, choosing the right type of flooring can have an impact. Natural stone flooring, especially slate or granite, is known for being cool to the touch. Although, it is also important to note that certain varieties may need sealing every few years. We suggest speaking to a professional about this to find out more.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are also usually cool underfoot. However, direct sunlight can heat them up so they may not be the best option if you have a glass roof on your conservatory. Natural hardwood is another easy-maintenance alternative that stays cool and doesn’t retain as much heat as carpet.
8. Replace Your Glazing
If the current glazing in your conservatory roof or windows isn’t ‘A’-rated, replacing it with something better could help your heat problem. Energy-efficient glazing has very low U-values, meaning it allows less heat to pass through the glass. As a result, you’ll have greater thermal control. The glass is also long-lasting, so you won’t have to worry about it again for years.
9. Upgrade to Solar Reflective Glass
This takes the energy efficiency of replacing your glazing and improves it even more. Solar reflective glass can reflect up to 80% of the sun’s rays. You can also consider heat-reflecting windows that offer UV protection, with an inner surface pane coated with a thin protective layer of metal or metallic oxide.
10. Replace Your Conservatory Roof
If all other methods don’t work, it may be the case that you need a new conservatory roof. This is especially true if yours has a roof made of polycarbonate sheeting. These sheets may have been cost-effective for a household budget, but they’re non-porous, working to absorb and retain heat. Modern conservatory roofs, meanwhile, come in many different materials designed for thermal efficiency.
Conservatory roofs are also easily replaced when you work with a professional team like ours.
Get a Replacement Conservatory Roof from Us
You’ll be beating the heat in no time at all by getting a replacement uPVC conservatory roof system from us. Our expert team will supply and install a thermally efficient roof that not only blocks out the sun but also reduces energy consumption. Sweltering days and high energy bills will both be a thing of the past.
Contact us today for a free quote and let us help you create the perfect cool sanctuary for your home.
