Hi all,

We're deciding which options to go for on our self-build conservatory.

In order to make the conservatory as useable as possible during the
cooler months we want to ensure that insulation is as good as
possible. The window panels are to be K glass. I can't afford to
have glass roof panels so my choice is from the polycarb range. The
company which we will probably buy from does a 35mm pc roof with
options for the pc to be clear; opal; bronze or opal + heatguard.

These finishes let progressively less light through thus decreasing
solar gain which is clearly a good thing in the summer but not so good
in the winter when I would imagine we want as much solar gain as
possible.

I'm not sure how the various finishes effect how heat is retained by
the roof ie does clear let more in and also let more out, will
heatguard retain more heat at a time when perhaps a greater percentage
of the heat in the conservatory is coming from the radiators anyway?

Conservatory is to be in white upvc and will face south.

Does anyone have any recommendations either way?

Thanks

Mike