A well insulated conservatory roof can reduce energy bills by up to 50%. It prevents too much heat entering in the summer and helps to keep your conservatory cosy in the winter.
Adding a solid roof to your existing conservatory isn’t a massive project and doesn’t cause any structural issues. It adds value to your property and also makes your conservatory or orangery more usable.
Reduces Your Carbon Footprint
Many homeowners think of refurbished furniture and glass kitchenware when considering eco-friendly home improvements chester, but there’s a whole world of sustainable homeownership above you: your roof. Options like cool roofs, green roofs, and solid roofs can help you reduce your carbon footprint by cutting down on the amount of electricity you use, mitigating the pollution caused by power plants.
Research shows that extensive green roofs do capture and retain carbon, but the level of carbon capture varies between different types of roofs, vegetation, and climate. A green roof can also be the perfect place to mount solar panels, which capture and store energy from the sun, lowering your home’s overall electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Reduces Noise
Unlike polycarbonate roofs which allow external noise to pass straight through, a solid roof provides a physical barrier that blocks out the noise. Finished ceilings and rigid insulation further reduce noise levels. Even if you live in an area where heavy rain sounds loudest, the sound should fade out quickly as it hits the sheathing and shears before reaching your home.
Replacing your conservatory with a solid roof allows you to use the space all year round, no matter whether it’s boiling hot outside or impossibly cold. The insulated panels also provide temperature control as well as reducing glare and ensuring your orangery is a comfortable place to spend time regardless of weather conditions. However, this will cause a slight reduction in natural light so make sure you discuss this with your installer before work begins.
Reduces Glare
A conservatory with a traditional polycarbonate roof can be unbearably hot in summer and freezing cold in winter – it is difficult to utilise such rooms when they are so uncomfortable. A solid replacement roof will provide appropriate thermal efficiency meaning the room can be used all year round regardless of whether it is cracking the flags or immeasurably icy outside.
Glare generated from the sun is a real problem for owners of glass or polycarbonate conservatories – there are remedies like blinds and shutters but these don’t eliminate the issue completely. A new solid conservatory roof will create a completely dark space below that cannot be penetrated by sunlight.
Where glare is a major concern the use of cool pigments in the paints may help as these are said to reflect heat rather than light – see Stuart Thomson’s technical Scope article on this subject.
Reduces Maintenance
The insulating properties of a solid roof will reduce your energy bills and will mean that you use less electricity, which is good for the environment. However, you will have a maintenance cost in the form of cleaning and inspections.
A solid roof can also make your conservatory feel warmer in winter and cooler in summer. This will allow you to utilise your room all year round and will increase the resale value of your property.
Slate roofs have a lovely look and are available in a wide range of colors. Some have a cool pigment in the paint which will reflect the heat from the sun. A cathedral solid roof is attractive and works well with any style of home. They are often clad with anthracite grey and have a classic cornice to hide the gutters.