Eurocell - Conservatory too hot? Causes and how to keep it cool
With plenty of natural light and views into your garden, a conservatory should be the perfect place to enjoy the summer weather. But some older conservatories have issues with temperature regulation which means it becomes sweltering as soon as summer rolls around. Instead of a relaxing retreat, your conservatory may become unbearable to sit in.
Below we explore some possible causes and show you how to keep your conservatory cool in the summer.
What we'll cover:
Why your conservatory is too hot
How to keep your conservatory cool
How to enjoy your conservatory all year round
Why is my conservatory too hot?
A conservatory can transform your home offering you additional living space to work, exercise or relax.
But you want to be able to enjoy it all year round – whether it be meals with friends and family, yoga or high-energy exercise, or as a place to read and unwind.
You’ll soon notice whether your conservatory has become too hot because it’ll be uncomfortable to sit in. Your pets will quickly retreat out of it, and plants may become dry, yellow and even die. Furniture, such as glass coffee tables, will be too hot to touch.
The general living temperature for your home should be around 19-22 degrees. Anything between 24-27 degrees or higher is probably too hot and could be dangerous, especially for vulnerable people and pets.
There could be a number of reasons why your conservatory is too hot. And if you’ve had it for over 20 years, the design and build could be to blame.
Here are some common causes of a conservatory that’s too hot:
Windows
Conservatories are designed with plenty of windows to let in natural light and offer views into your garden. But this can also cause a ‘greenhouse effect’, where direct sunlight radiates heat through your glass windows. The heat can become trapped inside your conservatory especially if there’s a lack of ventilation.
Poor insulation
In older conservatories, there tends to be a lack of insulation in the walls, windows or roofs. It may have deteriorated over time or wasn’t built in.
Poor insulation means heat seeps into your conservatory and increases the temperature. Insulation should work to either block or reflect it. For example, our structurally insulated panels (SIPs) used in modern conservatory conversions have consistent insulation throughout the panel and have a high R-value meaning they do a better job resisting heat flow.
No ventilation
Poor ventilation means hot air becomes trapped, causing an increase in the temperature and humidity. It might feel like a greenhouse or oven, and be unbearable to step inside.
If the heat can’t escape it will get hotter and hotter, and activities like exercising will only add to it.
Glass or polycarbonate roof
Older polycarbonate and glass roofs may have become worn down over the years causing the insulation properties or UV coats to weaken. If they have any gaps or cracks, more hot air can come in.
How to keep your conservatory cool
Fortunately, here are simple ways to stop your conservatory from getting hot in the summer.
1. Open doors and windows
If your windows and doors aren't facing the sun, keep them open to cool down your conservatory.
Natural air from the outdoors prevents hot air from becoming trapped inside your conservatory and improves ventilation, especially in the morning and evening when the temperature is cooler. Techniques like cross ventilation, where you open opposite windows in your conservatory, allow fresh air to circulate through and cool the room.
Consider installing roof windows or vents for better ventilation.
2. Air conditioning
An air conditioning unit absorbs hot air in your conservatory and blows in cooler air. It’s a reliable way to cool down your conservatory and it even reduces humidity and promotes better air quality. However, air conditioning units can be quite costly depending on the model. A standing unit costs around £200 and more comprehensive wall-mounted units can set you back up to £1,500.
If you’re on a budget, a standing fan can circulate air within your conservatory or a roof fan circulates it more evenly and saves you space.
3. Conservatory cooling film
Applying a high-quality conservatory cooling film to your glass windows or roof can help to regulate the temperature. The film should reflect the sun and UV light away from your conservatory, while still letting in plenty of natural light and reducing glare.
Conservatory cooling films are especially helpful for south-facing conservatories where the sunlight hits the windows directly. It's also a cost-effective option, with the film available for around £10.
4. Do blinds keep a conservatory cool?
Blinds and curtains block out sun in a conservatory and offer privacy. You can get blinds specially designed for conservatories with reflective properties that stop sunlight from entering and causing furnishings to fade.
Roller blinds are effective at blocking out sunlight and venetian blinds do well at reducing heat build-up as they can be angled up or down to direct the heat. It’s best to open blinds when it's cooler, and keep them closed from 11am to 3pm which tends to be the hottest part of the day.
5. The best flooring for a very hot conservatory
To stop your conservatory getting too hot, choose a floor material that’s heat resistant and easy to clean. If a conservatory gets too hot, your flooring can fade, warp or crack and absorb heat, increasing the temperature and making it unbearable to walk on. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are a good option because they’re easy to clean and generally heat resistant. Avoid solid wood because it expands and contracts in the heat, and carpet because it can fade in the sunlight.
6. Colour scheme
A simple change to your conservatory colour scheme could help with temperature regulation. Dark wall and furnishing shades will absorb and radiate heat, so opt for lighter colours that do better at reflecting it. Also consider buying furniture specifically designed for your conservatory.
One material to avoid is leather. Whether opting for chairs or a sofa, leather is a no-go- because it becomes hot very quickly – think of leather car seats.
7. Double-glazing
Older conservatories may have single-glazed windows increasing the chance of your conservatory becoming too hot. Double-glazed windows are designed with two panels that have a built-in gap to prevent heat from entering.
They are also energy efficient and have better insulation properties to help regulate the temperature and reduce reliance on fans or air conditioning, which can save you cooling costs. Eurocell’s uPVC windows are specially designed to keep buildings cool in the summer with U-values as low as 0.8.
8. Roof replacement
A well-designed conservatory can be a stand-out feature in your home and offer plenty of extra living space. The summer weather should add to it, not spoil it.
A conservatory roof replacement can solve the too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter conundrum that older conservatories face. Opt for a tiled roof over a polycarbonate or glass one, as it does a better job at insulation and energy efficiency.
Eurocell’s Equinox Tiled Roof System is fully insulated, helping to keep the hot air out in the summer. It’s also energy efficient with U-values as low as 0.15. While a roof replacement sounds daunting, it’s designed to be easily fitted with minimal mess and hassle.
The roof can be fitted onto any conservatory as long as it can handle the load – your Eurocell installer will conduct a survey to be sure. You can choose to add a roof window to improve ventilation and introduce more natural light too, or go for the Equinox Vega, which includes glazed panels helping to create a brighter space.
The tiles are available in a range of materials and 16 shades to complement your home. Not only that, the composite slate and steel tiles come with a 40-year guarantee, and the Envirotile and Slateskin tiles with a 25-year guarantee. They are weather and impact resistant to withstand heavy rain, snow or sunlight and combat condensation.
Enjoy your conservatory all year round
If your old conservatory is beyond repair, a modern conservatory conversion could transform it into a functional space all year round.
Keeping your existing base, SIP panels are manufactured off-site to your specification and then fitted in just two weeks with minimal mess and disruption. The panels are fully insulated to block hot air and sunlight from seeping in, and the tiled roof is energy efficient helping you to keep energy costs and usage down.
You also get A-rated windows and doors in your EurXtension, so you can make the most of the natural light and reduce heat gain in the summer.
Find out how a EurXtension keeps your conservatory cool in the summer and warm in the winter.