Cooling a Conservatory (solar film?)

gohan2091

I'm looking to get something done about a south facing conservatory that's approximately 2.5 X 3 metres and has a plastic roof. In the summer the conservatory is way too hot (even with blinds and all the windows open) and during the winter it's freezing (although there is a heater installed which works fine but has to be on pretty much all the time). There is a computer in the conservatory which is unusable most daytimes (regardless of temperature) due to glare on the monitor. The blinds will be taken down so film which prevents people looking into the conservatory from the outside would be desirable.

I'm looking into solar film for the Windows and possibly the roof. I know the technology works well during the Summer and has a small improvement during Winter. Here are my questions:

1) Would I need just the window film applied? Or would I need the roof done too?
2) Can anyone recommend a good company to go with? I'm in Norwich.
3) What is a fair price for this? (including installation) I've been quoted £700 by a local company which includes installation.

Doozergirl

You have a plastic roof. It's not effective as anything in winter, except shelter. I certainly wouldn't expect any improvement on that score. The roof is where most heat is lost. Solar film is going to do nothing. What you need is insulation. It sounds like the film costs more than the polycarbonate you want to put it on.

I wouldn't have confidence the tune of £700 that solar film would improve overheating all that much in the summer either. You have effectively built a south facing greenhouse. Replacing glazing with a wall would be better. Do these people have previous customers with south facing conservatories that you could speak to?

Conservatories are not extensions and will not perform as an extensions.

gohan2091

Doozergirl wrote: »

You have a plastic roof. It's not effective as anything in winter, except shelter. I certainly wouldn't expect any improvement on that score. The roof is where most heat is lost. Solar film is going to do nothing. What you need is insulation. It sounds like the film costs more than the polycarbonate you want to put it on.

I wouldn't have confidence the tune of £700 that solar film would improve overheating all that much in the summer either. You have effectively built a south facing greenhouse. Replacing glazing with a wall would be better. Do these people have previous customers with south facing conservatories that you could speak to?

Conservatories are not extensions and will not perform as an extensions.

What you have said goes against what I have read on the Internet from this forum and other sites. A plastic roof can have solar inserts installed, fitted inside the channels. I have read comments from people with south facing conservatory's who have said inner temperatures have been reduced by a good amount. It seems solar films are for glass roofs and windows though and I am not sure if I need the windows doing as well as the roof.

I was hoping to hear from people who could recommend me good companies in my area, the price they paid and share their experiences.

restless6

My conservatory roof is plastic but we insulated it and put plasterboard over it internally . made a massive difference.

onomatopoeia99

restless6 wrote: »

My conservatory roof is plastic but we insulated it and put plasterboard over it internally . made a massive difference.

Someone will come along and tell you it's not a conservatory any more .

Gunr

I have a polycarbonate roof on my conservatory which is too cold/hot for any plants. I am thinking of having insulation underneath the roof (inner insulation) finished with PVC or perhaps a plasterboard ceiling. Have you had any problems with your conservatory so far?