Solar Inserts for Conservatory

Danger_Fourpence

I've been checking out solar inserts as a much cheaper alternative to replacing broken old blinds on a conservatory roof.

What are people's experiences with them? Do they work? Is one companies' insert better than another? Indeed, is there anyone to avoid? I'd be wanting them fully fitted.

Cheers.

grimsalve

Bit of a coincidence because I've been looking at options for this today. There was a discussion about plasterboarding a while back but it sounded a bit dodgy to me.

I've found a couple of companies that sell inserts so far - one is more a diy type operation (but they will fit it for you... at a price), the other is a lot more expensive but provide a full fitting/consultancy service.

As for their claims of how much heat they can keep in or out... I'm a bit skeptical to be honest - it's always "up to" a certain amount. YMMV

flea72

i think it depends on what you want them for. yes, they cut down glare, but tbh i havent noticed any difference in heat retention/loss

we self-fit ours, and it was a very simple job and way cheaper than blinds (cost just over £300)

F

Danger_Fourpence

flea72 wrote: »

i think it depends on what you want them for. yes, they cut down glare, but tbh i havent noticed any difference in heat retention/loss

we self-fit ours, and it was a very simple job and way cheaper than blinds (cost just over £300)

F

I'm primarily looking to keep out the summer heat and reduce fading (I'm aware you can't eliminate it).

grimsalve

Have you checked the end caps on your roof? Depending on how the panels have been secured it could be an easy or messy job to fit inserts yourself.

Danger_Fourpence

grimsalve wrote: »

Have you checked the end caps on your roof? Depending on how the panels have been secured it could be an easy or messy job to fit inserts yourself.

I've had a quick look to glean whether they are suitable but frankly because there's a couple of air vents, other stuff going on and my general cack-handedness I'd prefer not to DIY it.

grimsalve

Danger_Fourpence wrote: »

I've had a quick look to glean whether they are suitable but frankly because there's a couple of air vents, other stuff going on and my general cack-handedness I'd prefer not to DIY it.

(that's what I'd decided too )

Cost for the "cheap" option seems to be around £300 (and the same again to have someone install it for you). The expensive option is about double that again.

Danger_Fourpence

grimsalve wrote: »

(that's what I'd decided too )

Cost for the "cheap" option seems to be around £300 (and the same again to have someone install it for you). The expensive option is about double that again.

The ballpark figures, from vague measurements, I've been quoted have been towards that double upper end. That's still half the price of regular blinds, which only seem to come in pleated and get full of detritus very quickly. Also I don't need the sides done as there's no privacy issues and anything below roof height gets much less light.

I'm getting bumpf and samples in the mail so I'l have a good idea of what's what in a few days. More experiences would of course be helpful.

grimsalve

Polycool promotional video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC7JYOW7fjI