Conservatory roofs are prone to leaks or draughts, making it challenging to keep them warm without paying astronomical energy bills. Most conservatories without adequate insulation are ‘weather dependent,’ which in Britain means they are a waste of space for several months of the year.
Many homeowners will contemplate their chilly and rarely visited conservatory this winter, asking themselves, ‘How much does it cost to insulate a conservatory roof in 2025?‘
There are a variety of ways of insulating a conservatory by installing conservatory roof insulation. Methods include internal roof insulation, adding foil insulation panels or replacing your current conservatory roof with a solid tiled roof.
Read on for more about ways to insulate a conservatory roof and relative costs.
The answer to all building-related questions is always complicated, as several factors affect final costs.
The method of insulation and the materials used will affect the cost.
The size of the conservatory roof is a significant factor in determining the amount of insulation material used and, therefore, the cost.
If you are making a radical change, you may need to apply for planning permission, which will incur a fee.
You may want to add skylights, roof windows or other special features, which will cost more.
The price of labour and the contractor’s pricing structure will also impact the total cost of the project.
One estimate suggests the cost may vary between £2000 and £ 10,000. A cost-benefit analysis complicates the equation, as the cheapest method is not always the most cost-effective in the long run.
The cheapest way to add more insulation to your conservatory roof is to add heat reflector foil to the underside of your roof panels. This will reflect rising heat back into the room.
An additional option is to add solar reflective film to the exterior roof panels to reflect solar energy, keeping the room cooler in hot weather and reducing glare.
In reality, this option is neither cheap nor cheerful. It is unlikely to give you the thermal efficiency you are looking for and could cost up to £2 000 to install. Polished reflective film is not durable and could spoil the aesthetic appeal of your conservatory.
Another cheap option is to install polycarbonate roof panels over your existing roof. However, polycarbonate is not a good thermal insulator and degrades quickly when exposed to UV rays. This method will not save much on heating bills and may need replacing sooner than other types of roof insulation panels.
If you have the relevant skills, you may save money on labour costs by installing your conservatory roof insulation panels yourself.
However, this may not be the best option for various reasons.
Firstly, contractors do it daily and will probably do a better job than you.
Secondly, as professionals, they may have access to better materials than you at trade prices.
Lastly, your conservatory roof is likely to be relatively high, and without the professional’s expertise, experience and safety equipment, you may fall and hurt yourself.
3 Ways to Insulate Your Conservatory in Winter
Internal conservatory roof insulation involves installing insulation materials, such as thermal webbing and reflective film, between the conservatory ceiling beams.
Installing internal insulation can help to reduce heat loss and make the conservatory more energy efficient, reducing heating bills. This is a belt and braces approach using both aluminium foil insulation panels and thick insulation panels.
If you install roof insulation panels on the exterior of your current conservatory roof you will improve energy bills.
Exterior roof panels are lightweight, cut to size and super-insulated. They provide high thermal efficiency, much more so than many other methods including polycarbonate roofs.
External roof panels are cheaper than a solid roof but they are not as aesthetically pleasing.
A solid tiled roof is a significant upgrade for a conservatory. Rather than being fitted over your existing conservatory roof, it is a separate structure. The conservatory ceiling will have a plaster finish making it feel like an extension but with more natural light.
A solid tiled conservatory roof provides numerous advantages including;
You can get a quick quote for a PCL solid tiled roof here.
The cost of a solid tiled roof may be higher than the other ways to insulate a conservatory roof but it may be a better investment in the long term.
You will have added an attractive asset to your home that will increase the desirability of your home when you come to sell and may even increase the value of your property.