Conseratory polycarbonate roof question
 

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

"Army" wrote in message
...
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

We have a similar roof on our conservatory and found it too hot in Summer so
we fitted Solar strips which fit into the recesses of the roof panels.
Works a treat and reflects the heat in summer and conserves the heat in
winter.
Obtained from Email:
Incidentally I fitted it myself- quite easy after you get the knack.
Also it is very important to get the correct width for your recesses.
Quite expensive but worth every penny!
Regards
Blair

On Wed, 5 Oct 2005 06:12:19 +0100, "Blair" wrote:


"Army" wrote in message
.. .
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

We have a similar roof on our conservatory and found it too hot in Summer so
we fitted Solar strips which fit into the recesses of the roof panels.
Works a treat and reflects the heat in summer and conserves the heat in
winter.
Obtained from Email:
Incidentally I fitted it myself- quite easy after you get the knack.
Also it is very important to get the correct width for your recesses.
Quite expensive but worth every penny!
Regards
Blair


Hi Blair,

I had a look at www.polycool.co.uk. They look quite interesting and
not too expensive. I bet it took quite a while to fit them all. Was
your original roof opal heatguard? How did you find it in the winter?

Thanks


Mike

"Army" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 5 Oct 2005 06:12:19 +0100, "Blair" wrote:


"Army" wrote in message
.. .
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

We have a similar roof on our conservatory and found it too hot in Summer
so
we fitted Solar strips which fit into the recesses of the roof panels.
Works a treat and reflects the heat in summer and conserves the heat in
winter.
Obtained from Email:
Incidentally I fitted it myself- quite easy after you get the knack.
Also it is very important to get the correct width for your recesses.
Quite expensive but worth every penny!
Regards
Blair


Hi Blair,

I had a look at www.polycool.co.uk. They look quite interesting and
not too expensive. I bet it took quite a while to fit them all. Was
your original roof opal heatguard? How did you find it in the winter?

Thanks


Mike

It took some hours to fit the first one but once we mastered the technique
it was complete within a day.
Our roof was triple skinned and white opaque.
In winter it was definitely warmer but of course on really cold days it was
not warm enough to sit without heating being applied.
Blair