As we start to enter the warmer months and the summer sun begins to intensify, keeping your conservatory cool and comfortable is a top priority for your home. The challenge of managing temperatures without breaking the bank, is an issue many homeowners face. To help combat the heat this summer, we’ve outlined a variety of cooling solutions, arranged from the most budget-friendly to more expensive options. By reading this article, you’ll hopefully be able to find effective strategies to maintain a cool conservatory throughout the warmer months, regardless of your budget.
Table of contents
- Apply Cooling Film or Heat-Reflective Glass to your windows, door or roof
- Block out the Sun rays with Roof or Window Blinds
- Maximise Cooling with Strategic Fan Placement
- Ensure plenty of ventilation – But at the right times
- Use plants and trees to dehumidify your Conservatory
- Maximise Cooling with Strategic Fan Placement
- Choose soft, light furnishings
- Consider Installing an Air Conditioning Unit
- Invest in a cooler flooring
- Replace your conservatory roof
- Conservatory Roof Replacements with BJH
Apply Cooling Film or Heat-Reflective Glass to your windows, door or roof
Transforming your conservatory into a comfortable summer spot, starts with managing the solar heat gain through its windows, doors, and roof. Cooling film and heat-reflective glass are two effective solutions for this. They work by reflecting the sun’s rays away from your conservatory, significantly reducing the amount of heat that enters. Cooling film is the more cost effective solution, it can be applied to your existing glass retrospectively and doesn’t compromise on natural light. If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, then we’d recommend replacing standard glass with heat-reflective options.
Regardless of your choice, both methods ensure that your conservatory remains brighter and cooler, providing a comfortable retreat even on the hottest days.
Block out the Sun rays with Roof or Window Blinds
Another effective strategy to keep your conservatory cool in the summer is the installation of roof or window blinds. Blinds will act as a barrier against the sun’s rays, preventing your space from becoming a greenhouse during the summer months. A benefit of choosing blinds is the various materials and designs you can choose from. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your conservatory but also offer practical benefits; a win-win. Reflective blinds, in particular, are designed to bounce back sunlight before it heats your interior. By adjusting the blinds throughout the day, you can control the amount of light and heat entering the space, ensuring it remains at a comfortable temperature all day long.
Maximise Cooling with Strategic Fan Placement
Fans are an effective and energy-efficient way to circulate air and therefore create a cooling breeze in your conservatory. The key to maximising their cooling power depends on their placement. Ceiling fans set on a counter-clockwise rotation will pull hot air up and push cooler air down, creating a constant airflow that helps maintain a comfortable environment.
Additionally, placing standing or desk fans near windows or doors can help draw cooler outside air into the room or pull hot air out. If you’re looking for an extra cooling boost, position a bowl of ice water in front of the fan to chill the breeze even further. This simple, yet cost effective method can significantly lower your conservatory’s temperature, making it a haven for relaxation during the summer months.
Ensure plenty of ventilation – But at the right times
Ventilation is crucial for keeping your conservatory cool, but the timing of this is essential. The goal is to create a cross-flow of air that carries the heat out without letting in more warm air during the hotter parts of the day. With this in mind, early morning and late evening are ideal times for opening windows and doors to ventilate. During these cooler parts of the day, the cool air from outside can help lower the indoor temperature, making the space more comfortable. Remember to close the conservatory up as the day warms to trap the cooler air inside and block out the hot air, to ensure your conservatory remains a cool space.
Install a Roof vent
A roof vent is another long-term strategy for cooling your conservatory. Roof vents work on the principle that hot air rises, so by installing a vent in the roof, you’re allowing the warm air to escape, preventing it from building up and overheating your conservatory. Roof vents can be manual or automatic, with some models equipped with thermostatic controls that open and close based on the temperature. This helps to ensure that your conservatory is consistently ventilated to a set temperature without any effort on your part, maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the day.
Use plants and trees to dehumidify your Conservatory
Incorporating plants and trees into your conservatory is not only aesthetically pleasing but also naturally helps to regulate both temperature and humidity levels. Certain plants, such as peace lilies and Boston ferns, are known for their dehumidifying abilities, as they can absorb excess moisture from the air. This can make the atmosphere in your conservatory more comfortable during hot, sticky months. Additionally, strategically placed trees or large plants outside can provide shade, blocking direct sunlight and reducing the conservatory temperature further.
Choose soft, light furnishings
The choice of furnishings in your conservatory can also have an impact on how cool the area feels. This is because soft, light-coloured fabrics reflect heat rather than absorb it. Additionally, consider using blinds or curtains made from breathable materials, as this will allow air to circulate through whilst also offering protection from the sun’s rays.
Our recommendations for furniture materials would be Rattan or bamboo furniture, as not only is it stylish but it also doesn’t retain heat, making it an ideal choice for conservatory furniture.
Consider Installing an Air Conditioning Unit
If smaller solutions just aren’t going to cut it, an air conditioning unit may have to be the go-to solution for maintaining a comfortable conservatory temperature. When it comes to air conditioning units, you have two options; a portable or a fixed units. Portable air conditioners are a flexible and less intrusive option, which can then be used in other circumstances, while a fixed system can provide a more permanent solution. Although this is one of the more expensive options, it offers the most control over your conservatory’s climate, ensuring it remains cool and usable, regardless of the outside temperature.
Invest in a cooler flooring
The type of flooring in your conservatory can drastically influence its overall temperature. Carpeting or dark tiles can absorb and retain heat, making the space feel warmer. Consider investing in cooler flooring options such as light coloured tiles, polished concrete, or laminate flooring that reflect heat. Aside from the colouring, these materials do not hold onto heat in the same way as alternatives, helping to keep the conservatory floor cool to the touch and the overall environment more comfortable.
Replace your conservatory roof
If your conservatory is still unbearably hot despite other cooling measures, it might be time to consider replacing your conservatory roof. Modern conservatory roofing materials are designed with thermal efficiency in mind, offering better insulation and reflective properties to keep the heat out. Options include glass or a tiled roof that provides excellent insulation and a more traditional appearance. While this is a significant investment, it can transform your conservatory into a year-round living space, improving both its usability and energy efficiency.
Conservatory Roof Replacements with BJH
We hope you’ve found our tips for cooling your conservatory helpful. If you still can’t bear the heat and are considering a roof replacement, our experts are available to discuss your conservatory and the options available. Have any questions? Contact us by clicking here.
About the Author
Alan Hamilton
Managing DirectorI took over the reins of BJH Windows as MD in 1993 after the death of my father Brian who started the company 15 years earlier. Having only helped run things for a couple of years previously, this was a real baptism of fire! Now 13 years later with the help of co director Colin Giles, BJH has evolved. Going from strength to strength BJH Windows & Conservatories currently employs around 20 staff, some of whom have been with us for more than 20 years. Standing The Test Of Time.
