How to Solve Common Conservatory Issues

When was your conservatory built? If it was in the heyday of the early 2000s, there’s a chance it wasn’t built to the most energy efficient standards now expected. Modern conservatories are far superior than their earlier iterations, and, when built properly, can add real value to your home.

Common Issues

If you’ve suffered from any of the following, there are ways to resolve the issues:

• Unreliable temperature

• Leaky roof

• Too noisy in the rain

• Condensation buildup

• High glare or brightness

• Too small

Unreliable Temperature

A conservatory that’s too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter makes for an unusable room throughout the majority of the year. It’s important to choose the right kind of glazing to avoid this in the first place.

Windows with high levels of thermal efficiency can retain heat much better in the winter. In the summer, this glazing limits the effects of solar heat gain by not allowing as much through.

Alternatively, you can seek specialist blinds that trap in heat or prevent it from coming through. This way, you can have the best of both worlds.

Leaky Roof

Unless you can identify and fix the issue, a leaky roof can be a warning sign that you need to replace it. By doing so, this can help make sure your new conservatory roof is more energy efficient and won’t leak.

A replacement conservatory roof can cost you more if you change material. Polycarbonate is the cheapest option, followed by glass and then a solid structure with roof tiles.

Too Noisy in the Rain

If you’re choosing between polycarbonate and glass, it’s always advised to go for glass if you can afford to. Polycarbonate roofs are louder in the rain, while a glass roof will soften this noise.

A solid roof with tiles will be even more effective, but it verges on becoming an extension that might require planning permission then.

Condensation Buildup

Closely tied with temperature, condensation can build-up in conservatories if there’s a huge difference between internal and external climates. This can cause problems with mould and damp if left untreated. With a leak, this can be even worse.

Without regulating your conservatory’s temperature with sufficient glazing or blinds, condensation will be a problem. You can use dehumidifiers to reduce the effects and make use of appropriate ventilation systems.

High Glare or Brightness

Depending on the orientation of your conservatory, you might get the full effects of the Sun throughout the day. Anti-glare glass can prove useful to help eliminate brightness, but blinds can also be effective. Both have their uses, so it depends on how much you want to block out sunlight.

Too Small

Although conservatories don’t need planning permission under certain dimensions, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the right size. According to a Which? survey, 28% of homeowners wished they had a bigger conservatory.

Before you commit to a size, use your living or dining room as a base. Comparing your desired dimensions to an existing space helps you realise how much room you’ll actually have once it’s complete.

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