Quick fix cooling for Conservatory roof, before replacing...?

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Suff the usual, way too hot in summer.. unusable space, although not really that bad in the winter... Moved into the house a year ago, but have put this one off, as not sure of the long term remedy.

We have had various people around quoting new poly, glazing and tiled roof, and Ive even priced up the poly sheets myself, which came in at about 1/3 of the cost of paying for someone to fit them, so I am tempted to take on this diy project - they wanted 1k for days labour! However, from what I have been reading, only a traditional roof is really going to remedy the heating problem, as poly or glass will not achieve the sort of result we would want, or even what they theoretically state. Having such a roof comes with a cost, which we cant really afford at the mo, so another tick for the diy project. This however could also involve building regs etc... unless one of the "light" tile options is used, but perhaps still need surveying.

As an interim solution, could I not simply fit something like reflective sheets, or other insulation to the underside of the poly sheets. Im not fussed about the loss of light, as enough comes in through the windws. If I stick them straight onto the sheet, condensation shouldn't really be an issue? Ive read of the bubble foil tpe insulation, but this has to be well vented as condensation can form in the voids between, but surely if I can stick something like polystyrene tiles straight to the polycarb, this could work as a short term fix..??
 
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A very interesting question, responses to which I look forward to as I, like many people, have a conservatory which becomes very hot in Summer and cold in Winter.

I think if anyone can come up with a cheap and effective solution they'll become rich overnight!
 
I should add that a conservatory specialist, who replaced the ineffective guttering between our conservatory and house with boxed lead, made alterations to his own conservatory for the reasons under discussion. He retained the polycarbonate roof, but installed a flat, insulated ceiling inside. He told me that it was important that there is adequate ventilation into the resulting space above the ceiling, whilst ensuring there is no rainwater ingress. As I understand it, the results are very good.

I don't know where you live, but if it's reasonably close to my neck of the woods I can give you his web site address and contact details and you could ask his advice. He'd need to come out and have a look, of course. He's very helpful and does a good job of work.
 
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Kingspan and plasterboard. Dead easy and dead cheap. You can only get condensation from warm moist air from inside your house. Seal the plasterboard well and you can't get any - it's just not possible.
 
I didn't know, but when we had a few geezers round to have a look, they did notice the existing sheets already had solar inserts in, hate to think how hot it would be without them, or are they just another product that works best theoretically than in practice!

I had been thinking about either the flat ceiling,although I imagine this would have to be suspended from the roof bars or additional timbers needed to support it. Or, the other suggestion of kingspan/plasterboard...

Assuming that condensation could form in any void between the insulation and the roof, where warm air may be trapped against a cold surface.. could I not simply attach the insulation to the underside of the polycarb directly, so no void.. I am thinking that I would then have 16mm poly sheet, layer of reflective material/foil, then several inches of kingspan/celotex, fitted between the roofing bars... I think this is basically what Joe-90 is saying...
 
Think of your roof like a window. A window only gets condensation on the inside of the house. Never on the outside. Your roof is the same. Plus, you will get an airflow up the poly sheets anyway. So best bet is battens, then kingspan then plasterboard. Jobs a gudden.
 
I think sunlight only gets converted to heat once it passes through the poly sheets, so any solution on the outside should work a lot better. You could try Coolglass (other brands are available) if you're still looking for a cheap interim solution, it's less than £10 delivered from eBay.
 
My conservatory Floor space is approx 4m x 3.3m

Cost wise (approx and off the top of my head)

The Timber spaces are at 450mm centres
Timbers - £150
Bolts and brackets - £30
100mm Insulation (doubled up) - 24m2 @ £2m2 (2 rolls)
Plasterboards - £30 (1800x900x12.5mm)
Electrics - £10
Plasterer - £200 (he also done some other bits in the house bit had this ceiling done in about 2 hours)

I done everything myself except the Plastering.
 
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Thats awesome.. good job!!! Perhaps going to be the same sort of thing we will end up doing.. luckily my in law is a plasterer, so that would save a few quid... I am wondering whether to go down the route of using the foil insulation.. as this can be simply attached to the underside of the glazing bars and batons...

Do you not need any sort of ventilation in the void?? Im only comparing this to your typical loft space, which has gaps at the eaves for airflow, which I assume helps to avoid any condensation issues..?

As above states, I assume condensation would only occur if warm air from your living space came into contact with the polycarb sheets, but as your ceiling is a good seal, this shouldn't happen? What about any moisture in the air that's trapped in the void, which is why I asked about airflow/ventilation...
 
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You may choose to vent the void but I haven't yet - its something I am considering doing with 100mm vent cowl - I will most likely add 2 or 3 however if you use the multifoil insulation fixed directly to the roof bars then I'm not sure if you need them but you will have to look into it further. I only done mine the way I have as I cannot afford to knock down the Conservatory and build an extension so its only really a temporary thing for a few years whilst I save up but so far we are really happy with it and it has made a huge difference.
 
You've done a great job... don't think Ive got the skills or confidence to try putting up all the timber you have! We just moved into a house that had a lean-to conservatory, and were initially made up to have one, until the first few sunny days! Ive had a quote of around £20k! to knock it down, underpin, build up, and put a traditional roof.. which is on hold, til I win the thunderball! So the approach you have used seems by far the most cost effective solution.
 

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