Conservatory roof blinds or new roof

casey jones

I got a conservatory built a few years ago, alongside kitchen extension with other side wall almost full height, dwarf wall and double doors to garden and open connection to the kitchen. It's a high spec, thickened double K glass roof and windows and while we have got a lot of use out of it as a playroom/dining area, it can be slightly colder on winter nights than the rest of the house. Also it is south facing so it can be very pleasant morning and evening in summer but gets too hot mid day and you are exposed to the suns full glare.:cool:

I have looked at roof blinds but the costs seem very high, quotes varying from 4,800 to 3,200. This seems a lot for something that would stop the glare but would add little by way of insulation. A friend suggested I could replace the glass roof with a slate roof / velux window for this price though I haven't looked for a quote yet. This would solve both the insulation and glare issue but would possible darken the rest of the house. Anybody faced this type of dilemma or have any views ?

giddybootz

Hi there, have you considered solar control window film? This can be applied to the existing windows.

The Benefits of solar control:
* Cool and comfortable in the summer
* Offers additional winter insulation
* No major reduction of visible light
* Usually less expensive than blinds
* Ultra-Violet barrier - helps prevent fading and sun damage to furnishings
* Reduces glare
* Quick and clean installation
* Low maintenance. Just wipe with warm, soapy water
(taken from www.visiongfp.ie)

Hope that helps or at least gives you another option to consider!

Carlow52

For the summer solar gain
Film does not do the job and neither do blinds: I know because I have both:) and it still gets to 38/40 C in summer.

The trick is to try stop the suns rays reaching the glass so look at external awings: will PM one link to get u started: it is v big business in Europe.

IMO the feel good factor that u get with spring/autumn/winter sun cannot be measured and if u solid roof it u will lose this, make the other rooms dark and u will every day say WTF did we re-roof.:eek:, particularly over the next 5 years while we try to refloat the country

I accept there is an increase energy saving from the solid roof but the loss of 'feel good' delivered by the spring/autumn/winter sun cancels that out.

I agree that the glass roof will get u 'bad marks' with the BER but let the next generation sweat that issue.

Update 18:30hrs on 24th:
got a indicative quote for supply and fit for covering 5m wide by 4.5m deep with external awning : euro 6,000 inc vat
product is from father land via an irish distributor

casey jones

Thanks for the info. I have started to look at the film option, apparently about €48 / square metre supplied and fitted which seems reasonable. Again it seems like there are various types and you get what you pay for.

The awning sounds like it could solve the summer sun problem but does nothing for the winter heat loss issue. I do agree that the extra light and solar gain in spring/autumn is something I would not like to lose and I fear that a roof would make the rest of the downstairs quite dark.

I can cope with the summer heat somewhat as it can be ventilated quite well and I have an air con unit. The sun damage to body and furniture is the main problem so the film may be a cost effective way of at least helping to deal with the problem.

Apparently on BER, glass on a south facing side helps with the rating. The film does not help with BER yet even though it has positive rating in the US.

willbur

hi a friend of mine had the same south facing Conservatory so he did not want to loose all the daylight , i fitted insulated roof panels left the area near the house uncovered to let the light into the house it worked great and coat less than 900 euro in 2002

homer911

my parents went for the film option, leaving the glass nearest the house as it was, just doing the most southerly roof panels - its not a complete solution but its better than it was

casey jones

There seems to be an issue with using film with Pilkington glass. According to Pilkington I would need assurances that it has been tested with K Glass as it could overheat with resultant damage. The film supplier haven't answered the question so I have doubts about the whole thing. Also need to ensure that it doesn't interfere with the conservatory guarantee. The latter may be irrelevant as the contractor seems to have gone bust as no calls returned. I am now looking at a conversion to sunroom.

Does anyone know anything about this company as they are one of the few who seem to specialise in a conservatory to sunroom conversion job with a lightweight type roof which can be put up on the existing structure once the glass is removed.

www.matrixconservatories.com

Any other suggestions welcome.

Carlow52

cannot comment on that crowd but a quick look at the photos would make me wonder:

using ( non-breathable) felt with Kingspan and no sign of ventilation/airgap with timber roof joists.....

I may be wrong: they are not too far away from me so will drop in in a week or so for a look-see:)

casey jones

Thanks, I may try to get over there myself. Regarding the breatheable felt I take your point, it's usually green from my limited experience and the old stuff is black or grey as per photo. Should the ventilation points be visible on the fascia/soffit boards ?