Insulating conservatory roof project

MrBrindle

I know there are a few threads about this but couldn't see one with information about insulating a conservatory ceiling and the building regs to go along with it.

I'm planning on insulating the ceiling internally, but not sure what route to go down. Our conservatory is an edwardian shaped upvc one with dwarf walls.

I'd like to insulate with superquilt or a similar product, but I don't know what's best to finish the ceiling afterwards. I've seen examples with plasterboard, but I'm worried that doing that, with the extra timber will be too heavy. Also I don't want anything too permanent incase we decide to sell and move in the next few years.

Are there any other ways to finish over the superquilt? I was thinking of maybe just white drapes but that will look a bit old fashioned. I did look at just like corrugated white plastic, correx style sheets, but thought they may sag and move too much with the temperatures. Correx is quite cheap and easy to cut so that may be the best option.

Also regarding the regs, is there anything stopping me from insulating the roof? I've seen some things online that the roof has to be transparent etc.

Thanks in advance.

FreeBear

MrBrindle wrote: »

I'd like to insulate with superquilt or a similar product

I had a look at the YBS Superquilt recently for a project - The real world insulating properties of the stuff is pretty poor. If you look at the recommendations over on the YBS web site, they recommend using their products in conjunction with other insulation such as Celotex/Kingspan type boards. One has to ask why...

U-value for Superquilt - 2.50 W/m²K
Celotex boards - 0.022 W/m²K
Fibreglass - 0.035 W/m²K

The lower the number, the better the insulation performance.

Silvertabby

Have you considered of loss of light in the adjoining room?

Doozergirl

I have friend who has done it with commercial suspended ceiling tiles. It looks alright! The insulation sits on top.

knightstyle

I did this for our DD. I used normal loft insulation and Platinum White Sparkle PVC Bathroom Cladding Ceiling Panels. I put angle trim all round and fixed the panels using the special metal clips that come with them.
It looks great and was cheap to do.

Davesnave

MrBrindle wrote: »

I know there are a few threads about this but couldn't see one with information about insulating a conservatory ceiling and the building regs to go along with it.

There are no building regs for most conservatories that stay independent of the house.


If you have somehow made the conservatory part of the house, say by joining it to a room without having an external grade door between, then it will probably not comply with the regs whatever you do.

MrBrindle

Hi all, sorry for no replies until now. Been trying to research methods.

The suspended flooring sounds interesting doozer, do you have any idea on cost? I'd imagine it's way above what I plan on spending!

I'm a bit worried about doing anything too permanent, (i.e. drilling batons into the frame) incase we decide to move in a few years time etc.

Right now, the method that I think suits best would be to stick celotex boards, maybe 50mm or less thick onto the roof glazing bars, apply thermal lining paper over, then paint.

Will probably used the trusted stixall, but will it be strong enough to hold? And how easy would it be to remove stixall if needed to? I've used stixall many a times, but never tried to remove it, or whatever I've stuck!

Regarding the loss of light, the conservatory joins our kitchen-diner midway through the room, where we have french doors and a large-ish window, so hopefully won't be too bad.

Davesnave

MrBrindle wrote: »

Regarding the loss of light, the conservatory joins our kitchen-diner midway through the room, where we have french doors and a large-ish window, so hopefully won't be too bad.

Does this mean that the conservatory is over the only available light sources, because that's how it reads?

In that eventuality, I'd do a mock-up with thick paper or polythene and masking tape first. We did similarly by having scaffolding erected to do the roof, which then taught us how to proceed.

MrBrindle

Davesnave wrote: »

Does this mean that the conservatory is over the only available light sources, because that's how it reads?

In that eventuality, I'd do a mock-up with thick paper or polythene and masking tape first. We did similarly by having scaffolding erected to do the roof, which then taught us how to proceed.

Hi Dave, no, maybe I didn't explain well. I've attached this pic, not of our house, but of a floor plan to show where the conservatory joins the house. However ours has french doors to left of conservatory and window to right.

MrBrindle

Hi all, I'm thinking of now creating a false ceiling by hanging joists - 3x2 probably. I will create a small rebate in each end and they'll sit on the conservatory 'walls'.

I will then clad the ceiling with some upvc - either t&g or plain panels.

However I'm a bit stuck on the insulation. I was going to put loft roll on top or between the joists, but would I need a vapour barrier? If I did, where would I install that? Before the cladding?

Alternatively I could staple mutlifoil to the joists, roof side, which would act as the insulation and vapour barrier - but the thermal properties aren't as good as loft roll.

Any advice?

TELLIT01

You will still have windows giving direct light into the Living/Kitchen/Diner, so it shouldn't end up too dark in there, although it will be quite a bit darker than currently.
Are you planning to cover the exterior of the conservatory roof? It could look pretty horrible if insulation panels/fill are on view from outside.