Conservatory - Solar Protection Film?
Conservatory - Solar Protection Film?
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Discussion

jdwoodbury

Original Poster:

1,372 posts

237 months

Monday 13th June 2011
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Has anyone any experience of using a special film on the glass roof of conservatory to reduce glare and solar gain? I have just bought a house with a south facing conservatory which can be a little uncomfortable to sit in mainly due to the glare. Blinds are an obvious answer but they are really expensive (2k plus) and they trap dust and flies in the roof.

jollysoutherner

167 posts

254 months

Tuesday 14th June 2011
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Not directly but was suitably impressed with the demo. I mentioned it to the chap who tinted the rear windows in the tintop and he sent me outside with a piece of film they use on conservatory / office glass and said to hold it up to the sun..... Most odd, a few microns of clear ish film and you can't feel the warmth from the sun. He had a sample book of different grades, some tinted some not.

Never did find out the cost but on the to-do list having wrecked a set of surround sound speakers after leaving them in the conservatory while we decorated the lounge. frown


sjc

16,499 posts

301 months

Tuesday 14th June 2011
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If you look on my profile you'll see I run a window blind company, however........
We fitted window film in the roof of our conservatory ( I'm looking at blinds all day so don't want them in the house!)and it has made a huge difference, in glare and heat reduction.The type of film can vary, as some of the stuff fitted in schools on the cheap has been worse than useless,simply making the room dark.
If you want to P.M.me, I'll dig out his details, don't know how far out he goes but might be worth a call.

jdwoodbury

Original Poster:

1,372 posts

237 months

Tuesday 14th June 2011
quotequote all
sjc said:
If you look on my profile you'll see I run a window blind company, however........
We fitted window film in the roof of our conservatory ( I'm looking at blinds all day so don't want them in the house!)and it has made a huge difference, in glare and heat reduction.The type of film can vary, as some of the stuff fitted in schools on the cheap has been worse than useless,simply making the room dark.
If you want to P.M.me, I'll dig out his details, don't know how far out he goes but might be worth a call.
Many thanks for your thoughts..PM on it's way

cjs 28

160 posts

250 months

Tuesday 14th June 2011
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Hi
As SJC has said these new films are excellent , I have tinted my front bay window to reduce glare and heat and it also offers day time privacy and as near as 100 % UV light protection as you can get .It also doesnt look tinted as most double glazed windows look dark from the outside anyway,bit like wearing sunglasses really .
Cheers Chris

NIIKME

562 posts

252 months

Wednesday 15th June 2011
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Do these films work in the opposite direction to keep heat in? We have anti UV on our roof (fortunately) but one thing we suffer from as does every conservatory is heat loss during the winter! apologies to hijack but since we are on the topic.........

jdwoodbury

Original Poster:

1,372 posts

237 months

Wednesday 15th June 2011
quotequote all
I am talking to these guys at the moment

http://www.prism-protection.co.uk/content/view/19/...

They claim the film will reflect unwanted heat in the summer, and retain heat in the winter.

sjc

16,499 posts

301 months

Wednesday 15th June 2011
quotequote all
jdwoodbury said:
I am talking to these guys at the moment

http://www.prism-protection.co.uk/content/view/19/...

They claim the film will reflect unwanted heat in the summer, and retain heat in the winter.
I don't believe that.
Was in the process of digging the details out that you asked for in your mail, and the company above is the Guy we used!!!!!
In fact,the very first picture in the "about us" section is our house, as is the third one down in the gallery section!!
Small small world.
You'll be fine with them.

jdwoodbury

Original Poster:

1,372 posts

237 months

Thursday 16th June 2011
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Thanks SJC that makes us feel more comfortable about the decision

furtive

4,503 posts

310 months

Thursday 16th June 2011
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I've read good things about this stuff:

http://www.polycool.co.uk

Toilet Duck

1,367 posts

216 months

Friday 17th June 2011
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jdwoodbury said:
Blinds are an obvious answer but they are really expensive (2k plus)
Are you sure?

I don't have a conservatory, but I've fitted venetian blinds to all the windows in my house from this company:

http://www.blindsuk.net/

They cost a fraction of what the typical high street shop charges, and I've been really happy with the results. The only "problem" is you have to measure up yourself, but its not a problem unless you can't use a tape measure wink

sjc

16,499 posts

301 months

Friday 17th June 2011
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With the greatest of respect,there's always a reason that things are cheap/2 for 1/60% off etc etc.My window blind company is trade only,and hear some absolute horror stories.Google "Hillarys watchdog" to see what I mean.
O.P.the link you posted ( which was the company we used)fitted our film 7 years ago. No peeling, fading etc.The were recommended to us by one of our own customers who worked in conjunction with them.
If you don't want blinds, deffo go with them.
























Toilet Duck

1,367 posts

216 months

Saturday 18th June 2011
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sjc said:
With the greatest of respect,there's always a reason that things are cheap/2 for 1/60% off etc etc.My window blind company is trade only,and hear some absolute horror stories.Google "Hillarys watchdog" to see what I mean.
I totally agree with your sentiments.

However, I've used the company I mentioned for about five seperate orders and the blinds have always been very good quality (I went for the solid wood ones), other tradesmen (window fitters) have even commented on them and asked where I got them from. The only "problem" I've had is that some of the orders have taken slightly longer than quoted (by about a week) but considering the price etc its not a big deal. I think the reason that they are considerably cheaper is that I doubt they have massive overheads (showrooms etc).

Just googled "Hilary's" like you suggested, certainly glad I didn't use them frown

55allgold

519 posts

189 months

Saturday 18th June 2011
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Just a thought: I know that stopping solar gain is important if you want to use a conservatory or sun-room in the Summer, but isn't there a big downside? I.E. during the Spring and Autumn, you lose the very same effect, and that solar gain is very welcome at those times of year.

Can't help feeling that the right solution for excessive solar gain is good ventilation. And it's disappointing that conservatory companies rarely bother.

Toilet Duck

1,367 posts

216 months

Saturday 18th June 2011
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What about aircon?

sjc

16,499 posts

301 months

Saturday 18th June 2011
quotequote all
Toilet Duck said:
sjc said:
With the greatest of respect,there's always a reason that things are cheap/2 for 1/60% off etc etc.My window blind company is trade only,and hear some absolute horror stories.Google "Hillarys watchdog" to see what I mean.
I totally agree with your sentiments.

However, I've used the company I mentioned for about five seperate orders and the blinds have always been very good quality (I went for the solid wood ones), other tradesmen (window fitters) have even commented on them and asked where I got them from. The only "problem" I've had is that some of the orders have taken slightly longer than quoted (by about a week) but considering the price etc its not a big deal. I think the reason that they are considerably cheaper is that I doubt they have massive overheads (showrooms etc).

Just googled "Hilary's" like you suggested, certainly glad I didn't use them frown
Really glad you had a good experience, always good to know.