The Complete Guide to Conservatory Insulation

When most people consider adding a conservatory to their home, they picture a bright, airy room, soaked in golden sunlight. And, with a bit of added space, perhaps they can expect the value of their house to jump up a notch.

Unfortunately, when building their dream extension, a lot of Brits brush over the insulation – and are usually left facing the harsh reality of a sweltering sauna in the summer, and an ice-cold box in the winter.  

But this can easily be fixed – and we’re here to show you how. By adding an extra layer of insulation to your conservatory, homeowners can fix these extreme temperatures, whilst also saving on energy bills. 

To find out how much spray foam insulation will cost you, simply pop your details into this quick form, and our suppliers will be in touch.

What’s on this page?

What is conservatory roof insulation?

You may remember, many moons ago, when your science teacher explained that heat rises – which means that a huge amount of heat in your home escapes through the roof. So, like the rest of your home, your conservatory roof needs an extra layer of insulation to make sure the heat is locked in. 

Traditional conservatories – usually made of glass – were certainly not built for energy efficiency. As a quick fix, some people simply install a foil ‘quilt’ that attaches to battens, and is then covered over with plasterboard. You can also pop some draught excluders on any encroaching breezes, place some rugs on the floor, and add blinds/curtains to your windows. 

But we’re not a fan of quick fixes – they are more affordable, but will most likely lack efficiency and not last a great deal of time, consequently costing you more in the long run. 

So, what are your other options?

Replace the roof

Replacing a conservatory roof used to be much more long-winded than it is today. Thankfully, in 2010, UK planning laws were relaxed – now, in the majority of cases, you can fit a solid roof to your conservatory without needing planning permission.

Depending on the type of material you go for, you may be able to seal in more heat during colder months: 

• Tiled roof – Although a tiled roof will usually cost more than a glass alternative, and will take a few days to install, it tends to act as a better insulator of heat and a barrier against noise. Admittedly, you will lose quite a bit of sunlight with a tiled roof, but skylights or roof lights can fix this
• Double/triple glazed roof – The main benefits of using glass panes in your roof are that this lets maximum sunlight through, and also has great insulation properties against both heat loss and noise. As with the sides/windows, you can choose to use a treated type of glazing to help with temperature control and noise reduction

Although roof replacement is a great option, you will need Building Regulatory Approval (different to Planning Permission), which basically makes sure that the extension meets certain safety standards. This will also mean that your conservatory classification will change from a ‘temporary structure’ to a ‘permanent’ one.

Conservatory roof insulation panels 

A lot of people go for insulation panels as an alternative to roof replacement. It’s cheaper, much faster to install, and you’ll still reap the rewards of a well-insulated home.

These practical panels win Brits over for a handful of reasons:

• They’re lightweight 
• Most have u-values of around 0.29, compared to single glazing’s u-value of 4.8 (u-values are the rate of transfer of heat through a structure – the lower the number, the more efficient it is) 
• Panels can usually be fitted within a day
• Most panels come with a ten-year guarantee
• They’re compatible with all types of conservatory

Do I need to insulate my windows?

When it comes to conservatory insulation, it’s best to cover all bases – including your windows. If you have single glazed windows, you’ll notice a huge difference in temperature throughout the year by upgrading to double glazing. 

Check out our top tips on window insulation below:

• Replace windows with double glazing – Double glazing works by adding a layer of insulating gas, such as argon, in between two panes of glass. This gas will act like a blanket around your conservatory, and seal in your home’s warmth
• Look into thermal-coated windows – As soon as it is applied, thermal coating blocks 100% of UV rays and minimizes the infrared's penetration. This prevents heat accumulation, and thereby reduces energy bills. It also allows you to control your conservatory’s heat loss in the winter, thanks to the thermal barrier created
• Add curtains/blinds – Not only will this add an extra layer of insulation to lock in heat during the winter, but it’ll also shield you from the sun’s gleaming rays in the summer
• Explore different material frame options – Typically, you’ll find that materials such as wood and uPVC are more insulating than aluminium frames 

Conservatory insulation cost

If you go for one of the short-term solutions, you’ll be paying less – but you also won’t benefit from significant cuts to your energy bills.

The long-term changes, on the other hand, will make a huge difference in how your conservatory retains heat in the winter – but it’ll cost you. 

For a spray foam insulation quote tailored you, simply fill in this quick form, and our suppliers will get back to you.

Conservatory roof replacement costs

The average conservatory roof replacement costs £2,355-£5,570 – this will all depend on the type and size of conservatory you have, as well as the material you go for. 

As a guide, we’ve outlined the different prices for conservatory roof replacement below:

Conservatory insulation panel costs

Depending on the type, size, and composition of your conservatory, the price of insulation panels tends to fluctuate a lot. As a basis, you can expect prices to start at approximately £2,500 – but you would have to get a quote for a more accurate estimate. 

Double glazing window costs

Similar to the other insulation options above, different types of window frames will alter the price vastly. 

Here’s how much a single 100cm x 100cm double glazed window will cost you on average with different types of frame, to give you an idea of what to expect.

Prices have been sourced from various websites, including Double Glazing on the Web, Local Glazing Prices, and Get a Window.

Conservatory insulation grants

No matter how much we praise conservatory roof insulation for its impact on energy bills, some people simply can’t justify putting aside a few hundred pounds for the initial costs.

If this sounds familiar, fear not – there’s still a way for you to benefit from this handy home insulation. The government has two major grants to help homeowners increase their household energy efficiency. 

Green Homes Grant 

This grant will offer homeowners vouchers for up to £5,000 to go towards energy-efficient home improvements. Although this grant won’t be released until September 2020, you can expect double glazing, insulation, boilers, energy-efficient doors, and energy-saving light bulbs to be among the home improvements eligible for financial support. 

The vouchers should cover at least two-thirds of the costs, with a limit of up to £5,000. So, if you wanted to fit insulation worth £4,000, for example, you would pay about £1,320 and the government would cover the remaining £2,680. 

To go one step further, the lowest-income households won’t even have to pay anything, and could get vouchers of up to £10,000. Details of exactly who will be eligible for the grant, and what constitutes a ‘lowest-income household', have not yet been announced – so keep your eyes peeled. 

Assessing the Green Homes Grant for Conservatory Roof eligibility is where the waters are slightly muddy. Generally, conservatories that are separate from the house are not included in the EPC rating of the property. A conservatory is ‘separate from the house’ if there is a dividing wall and door between the conservatory and main property.

To get a government voucher, you’ll need to complete an online application for a recommended home improvement, get a quote from a listed supplier, and have the quote approved. The scheme is set to launch in September 2020.

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) 

This government scheme means that certain energy and installation suppliers are required to support low-income, fuel-poor, and vulnerable households to heat their homes. Whether it’s to insulate your walls, or replace your boiler with a new eco-friendly one, the ECO scheme will lend a hand. 

However, not all UK residents will be eligible for this scheme. To reap the benefits of ECO, you must be a core group customer from scheme year 9 onwards under the Warm Home Discount Scheme, or receive at least one of the following benefits:

• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer's Allowance
• Child Benefit (on the condition that the household’s relevant income does not exceed the amount set out in Chapter 3 of the government scheme guidance)
• Constant Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Pension Guarantee Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Mobility Supplement
• Personal Independence Payment
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Tax Credits (Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits)
• Universal Credit

Next steps 

Once you’ve sussed out which insulation method works best for you, you can crack on with it. Since prices fluctuate so drastically, you’ll want to make sure to shop around for the best deal available. Soon enough, you’ll be on your way to a cosier, more efficient home. 

Wondering how much spray foam insulation will cost you? Simply enter your details into this short form, and our suppliers will contact you.