Conservatory Insulation???

dreamypuma

Hi,

My parents are currently having a conservatory built at there house, with a half dwarf wall. Having seen the wall today, I have noticed that the company that they are using are looking not to insulate the wall.

The internal leaf is concrete block and the external brick with a 50mm cavity. The wall ties look fine.

My parents were told that it is not normal insulate a conservatory as it would be too hot in the summer. I personally would have insisted that the walls are insulated along with the suspended floor.

I'm not to familiar with how the building regs apply to conservatories, can anyone advise on what is standard practice? Are there any "U" values applicable to conservatories?

Are my parents being diddled?

I'd be grateful of any advise, as my parents are retired.

adaze

Hmmmm, sounds a bit strange. I'm no expert but we've just built an extension and building regs would be all over you if you didn't insulate. It might be different for conservatorys, i.e. they might not be classed as habitable rooms, or something like that.

There are insulations available that are reflective on both sides, so keep a building warm in winter and cool in summer. Check with your local planning/ building department and they will set you straight

lynnexxxo

I don't think u value regulations apply to most conservatories as they are (alledgedly) unheated. You can not extend your central heating into a normal conservatory (at least till the council inspector has been) . Also, you can't have the conservatory open to the existing room (ie take out the adjoining door).

dreamypuma

adaze wrote: »

Hmmmm, sounds a bit strange. I'm no expert but we've just built an extension and building regs would be all over you if you didn't insulate. It might be different for conservatorys, i.e. they might not be classed as habitable rooms, or something like that.

There are insulations available that are reflective on both sides, so keep a building warm in winter and cool in summer. Check with your local planning/ building department and they will set you straight

Thanks buddy,

It seems all a little strange to me too. I'm no expert and my knowledge of regs is a bit rusty. I personally think the conservatory is going to be cold in the winter making it unusable.

I would expect at least 100mm cavities and the suspended floor to be insulated. and 35mm polycarb roof.

I'm waiting to see the paperwork, to see what has been quoted for. The conservatory is £10k for a 4m x 4m timber effect upvc and 4ft dwarf wall. Anyone know if this sounds expensive? Should we expect insulation and possibly low E glass?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

dreamypuma

lynnexxxo wrote: »

I don't think u value regulations apply to most conservatories as they are (alledgedly) unheated. You can not extend your central heating into a normal conservatory (at least till the council inspector has been) . Also, you can't have the conservatory open to the existing room (ie take out the adjoining door).

Thankfully both the issues of heating and adjoining building are in compliance.

sallyrsm

This last year we invested in Polycool... reflective strips that you insert into the channels of the conservatory roof, can reduce the summer temp by 40 degrees and helps reduce heat loss in winter. I've noticed the difference!! My conservatory is big and took me about 4 hours to do myself or you can get it fitted by the firm. My conservatory cost £340 to sort out.
Go to www.polycool.co.uk it works out much cheaper than blinds...
I am thrilled to bits with mine it must be said. I can now go in the conservatory first thing in the morning without feeling like I am walking outside in my jimjams!!

dreamypuma

I've just spoken to the MD of the conservatory company. I've been told my parent will be getting 35mm polcarb roof (phew..)

When it came to the insulation, he started telling me that conservatories are not covered by building regs, before I even had a chance to quiz him. I had a feeleing they weren't but I explained to him that even if they are not it's good practice.

He started harping on about the fact that theres so much glazing it makes insulation of walls and floors pointless.

He also fobbed of the use of Low E glass as a gimick. He told me that he was going to use safety glass..... (No S**T Sherlock)

Is it safe to assume that the two sockets he is installing in the conservatory would need to installed by a part p electrican (16th / 17th Edition)?

mikeopvc

I always insulate dwarf walls when doing conservatories, 50mm cavity is fine but I also use thermalite insulating blocks for the inner skin as standard as opposed to concrete blocks. Low E-glass is extra but not really worth it unless you add heatgaurd to the poly roof (extra again) £10k is a bit steep for a 4x4m conni, should come in at approx £8k

nelly_2

Whats the bleeding point?

The walls make up about 10% of the over all surface area.

and they can add K glass this and thermo that ......

The insulation in the dwarfs is gonna do nothing of any significant value at all what so ever!

peediedj

you certainly do need u values! i cant start mine until building control have thermal properties and u values:mad:

mikeopvc

The point is that when people get a quote for a conservatory they assume that it includes things like insulated walls, when they see it's not been done they think they are being conned. You would think that £10k would include a few sheets of insulation between the walls even if it was to make a good impression and ensure your company is recommended as opposed to slagged off for cutting corners and penny pinching.
We are on MSE here and anything we can do to reduce heating bills has got to be a good thing, if a conservatory has insulated walls, low-e glass and a five wall polycarbonate roof then surely it's going to be more energy efficient than one without.