Conservatory Roof Conversion
Discussion
Hi All,
Been a lurker for a long time, great reading material here... love cars but have nothing special (Mk4 Golf) as I've spent what feels like a life time saving a deposit for my house (and the missus wanted a Golf.. so).
I've got a 10 yr old conservatory (about 3x3m) with a polycarb roof which after some research i think is the main factor on why it's too cold/hot most of the time. I've found the following would be solution http://renegadeconservatoryguy.co.uk/why-are-some-... but can't find any reviews, potential costs or fitters!
Alternatively there's the replacement glass option - anyone done this, does it make the room more use able?
If anyone has done either options (or has any other ideas on making it more habitable year round) and wouldn't mind sharing their experiences/cost it would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt
Been a lurker for a long time, great reading material here... love cars but have nothing special (Mk4 Golf) as I've spent what feels like a life time saving a deposit for my house (and the missus wanted a Golf.. so).
I've got a 10 yr old conservatory (about 3x3m) with a polycarb roof which after some research i think is the main factor on why it's too cold/hot most of the time. I've found the following would be solution http://renegadeconservatoryguy.co.uk/why-are-some-... but can't find any reviews, potential costs or fitters!
Alternatively there's the replacement glass option - anyone done this, does it make the room more use able?
If anyone has done either options (or has any other ideas on making it more habitable year round) and wouldn't mind sharing their experiences/cost it would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt
If it was me I'd check out permitted developments and perhaps talk to the retards in planning so you can convert it to a garden room.
I.e. proper tiled and insulated roof, standing in two pillars (with 3 metal wall-plate-beams), built up with cavity wall to 18" above floor level, then fill in the remaining three sides with glass/sliding/folding doors as required.
I.e. proper tiled and insulated roof, standing in two pillars (with 3 metal wall-plate-beams), built up with cavity wall to 18" above floor level, then fill in the remaining three sides with glass/sliding/folding doors as required.
Webbit said:
Hi All,
Been a lurker for a long time, great reading material here... love cars but have nothing special (Mk4 Golf) as I've spent what feels like a life time saving a deposit for my house (and the missus wanted a Golf.. so).
I've got a 10 yr old conservatory (about 3x3m) with a polycarb roof which after some research i think is the main factor on why it's too cold/hot most of the time. I've found the following would be solution http://renegadeconservatoryguy.co.uk/why-are-some-... but can't find any reviews, potential costs or fitters!
Alternatively there's the replacement glass option - anyone done this, does it make the room more use able?
If anyone has done either options (or has any other ideas on making it more habitable year round) and wouldn't mind sharing their experiences/cost it would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt
I can't think that you'd control the inside temperature any better with glass. Obviously a conservatory is not intended for year round habitation and if you want year round use you need to apply building regulations. This would mean applying regulation insulation levels to avoid wasting fuel.Been a lurker for a long time, great reading material here... love cars but have nothing special (Mk4 Golf) as I've spent what feels like a life time saving a deposit for my house (and the missus wanted a Golf.. so).
I've got a 10 yr old conservatory (about 3x3m) with a polycarb roof which after some research i think is the main factor on why it's too cold/hot most of the time. I've found the following would be solution http://renegadeconservatoryguy.co.uk/why-are-some-... but can't find any reviews, potential costs or fitters!
Alternatively there's the replacement glass option - anyone done this, does it make the room more use able?
If anyone has done either options (or has any other ideas on making it more habitable year round) and wouldn't mind sharing their experiences/cost it would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt
We've just swapped a 6m x 2.5m polycarbonate roof on our lean-to extension with a double glazed/powder coated aluminium bar version.
We used opaque glass so next door can't see in, it is self cleaning Pilkington glass which has a pretty decent thermal rating.
It is much, much smarter, it's quieter (can't hear the rain battering away), and much better thermal control (not so hot in the sunshine, and not so cold when it's cold out) as the polycarbonate - although now it's really warming up we need to open teh back doors to keep the room cool - it's heated with radiator and underfloor heating. It cost us about £7k for a local glass & window fitter to do the job, and this included a special cut around a soil pipe and a choice of our own colour. This included some clumsy leadwork, which I will get re-done at some point.
We used opaque glass so next door can't see in, it is self cleaning Pilkington glass which has a pretty decent thermal rating.
It is much, much smarter, it's quieter (can't hear the rain battering away), and much better thermal control (not so hot in the sunshine, and not so cold when it's cold out) as the polycarbonate - although now it's really warming up we need to open teh back doors to keep the room cool - it's heated with radiator and underfloor heating. It cost us about £7k for a local glass & window fitter to do the job, and this included a special cut around a soil pipe and a choice of our own colour. This included some clumsy leadwork, which I will get re-done at some point.
I've got the super fancy self cleaning all singing and dancing glass roof, and it's still rubbish for temperature in there. Too cold in winter, too hot in summer. We've got AC and heating in there but it's so inefficient they'd be running constantly.
My sister has a similar arrangement, but they've covered the roof from the inside with insulation and boarded it out with wood. It's superb in there now. Obviously, you lose the transparant roof, but you gain a more comfortable and useable room.
My sister has a similar arrangement, but they've covered the roof from the inside with insulation and boarded it out with wood. It's superb in there now. Obviously, you lose the transparant roof, but you gain a more comfortable and useable room.
OP, I do conservatory renovations for a living. There are several different options for your roof from having solar reflectors fitted within the cavities of your existing polycarbonate roof, to having replacement poly, or replacement sealed unit glass panels with a solar reflecting film applied.
It'll improve both summer and winter insulation. PM me if you need any advice, thanks.
It'll improve both summer and winter insulation. PM me if you need any advice, thanks.
Cheers all for the replies, I'm probably trying to achieve the impossible(!), would rather not spend £7k on it ( + blinds and new DIY floor £3K) - that's probably halfway to a brick extension.
Previous owners had planning permission for a proper extension and they said the footings were for brick extension (no proof though)
supersingle - thanks, I'll have a think and follow up!
Matt
Previous owners had planning permission for a proper extension and they said the footings were for brick extension (no proof though)
supersingle - thanks, I'll have a think and follow up!
Matt
prand said:
We've just swapped a 6m x 2.5m polycarbonate roof on our lean-to extension with a double glazed/powder coated aluminium bar version.
We used opaque glass so next door can't see in, it is self cleaning Pilkington glass which has a pretty decent thermal rating.
It is much, much smarter, it's quieter (can't hear the rain battering away), and much better thermal control (not so hot in the sunshine, and not so cold when it's cold out) as the polycarbonate - although now it's really warming up we need to open teh back doors to keep the room cool - it's heated with radiator and underfloor heating. It cost us about £7k for a local glass & window fitter to do the job, and this included a special cut around a soil pipe and a choice of our own colour. This included some clumsy leadwork, which I will get re-done at some point.
£7k! i am surprised you can sit downWe used opaque glass so next door can't see in, it is self cleaning Pilkington glass which has a pretty decent thermal rating.
It is much, much smarter, it's quieter (can't hear the rain battering away), and much better thermal control (not so hot in the sunshine, and not so cold when it's cold out) as the polycarbonate - although now it's really warming up we need to open teh back doors to keep the room cool - it's heated with radiator and underfloor heating. It cost us about £7k for a local glass & window fitter to do the job, and this included a special cut around a soil pipe and a choice of our own colour. This included some clumsy leadwork, which I will get re-done at some point.
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