A conservatory can be a lovely place to spend time during the warmer months, but once winter arrives, it can quickly become one of the coldest rooms in the house.
If you are asking how to keep a conservatory warm in winter without spending a fortune on heating, the answer is usually a combination of reducing heat loss, improving insulation and using heating more efficiently.
In some cases, simple changes can make a noticeable difference. In others, especially with older conservatories, the biggest improvement comes from upgrading the glazing or roof.
Here are some of the most effective ways to make your conservatory warmer without sending your energy bills through the roof.
Why Do Conservatories Get So Cold in Winter?
Conservatories contain much more glass than most rooms, and older glazing can lose heat quickly.
Older polycarbonate or basic glass roofs can also provide relatively poor insulation compared with modern roof systems.
This means heat generated inside the conservatory can escape rapidly, particularly overnight or during very cold weather.
Draughts around doors, windows and roof panels can make the problem worse.
1. Stop Draughts First
Before increasing the heating, check whether cold air is getting into the conservatory.
Look around:
- windows
- doors
- seals
- roof panels
- vents
- joins between the conservatory and the house
Worn seals or poorly fitting doors can allow a surprising amount of cold air into the room.
Fixing draughts is often one of the cheapest ways to improve comfort because it helps keep the warmth you are already paying for inside.
2. Use Curtains or Blinds at Night
Window coverings can provide an extra barrier between the warm room and cold glazing.
Closing curtains or blinds as soon as it gets dark can help reduce the feeling of cold coming from the windows.
During sunny winter days, however, it can be worth opening them and allowing the sun to warm the conservatory naturally.
If you are ordering a new conservatory from Elmhurst Windows, blinds can also be supplied as part of the conservatory order.
Elmhurst Windows does not currently offer a standalone blind supply and fitting service.
3. Add Rugs and Soft Furnishings
Hard flooring can make a conservatory feel particularly cold during winter.
Adding a thick rug can improve comfort underfoot while also helping reduce the feeling of cold radiating from the floor.
Curtains, upholstered furniture and other soft furnishings can also make the room feel warmer and less exposed.
They will not solve a major insulation problem, but they can make a noticeable difference to how comfortable the room feels.
4. Heat the Room Only When You Are Using It
Trying to keep a poorly insulated conservatory warm all day can become expensive very quickly.
If you only use the room occasionally, it may be more economical to heat it when needed rather than maintaining a high temperature throughout the day.
A thermostatically controlled heater can help prevent unnecessary energy use.
However, if you find that the room loses heat almost as quickly as you put it in, the underlying problem is likely to be insulation rather than heating.
5. Keep Internal Doors Closed
If your conservatory is separated from the main house by doors, keep them closed when the conservatory is not being used.
Otherwise, heat from the house can constantly escape into a colder conservatory.
When you want to use the space, opening the doors for a short period can allow some warmth from the adjoining room to circulate before additional heating is needed.
6. Upgrade Older Conservatory Glass
Older glazing can be one of the biggest sources of heat loss in a conservatory.
Modern energy-efficient glazing is designed to retain much more warmth inside the room.
If the existing conservatory structure is still in good condition, replacing older glazing may improve its thermal performance without replacing the entire conservatory.
Modern glazing can also provide benefits in summer by helping control unwanted solar heat.
7. Replace an Inefficient Glass or Polycarbonate Roof
Heat rises, which means the conservatory roof plays a major role in retaining warmth.
Older polycarbonate roofs in particular can make conservatories difficult to heat during winter.
Replacing an inefficient roof with a modern, thermally efficient system can make a substantial difference.
Depending on the style of conservatory and your preferences, this could include a high-performance glass roof or a solid insulated conservatory roof.
8. Consider a Solid Conservatory Roof
A solid conservatory roof can significantly improve insulation and help create a more stable indoor temperature.
Rather than allowing warmth to escape rapidly through an older glazed or polycarbonate roof, an insulated roof helps retain heat inside the room.
It can also make the conservatory feel much more like a permanent extension of the house.
For homeowners who currently avoid their conservatory throughout winter because it is simply too cold, replacing the roof can completely change how usable the space feels.
9. Add Skylights or Rooflights to a Solid Roof
Some homeowners worry that choosing a solid roof will make their conservatory too dark.
Fortunately, a solid conservatory roof can often incorporate skylights or rooflights.
This allows you to retain natural daylight while benefiting from the improved insulation of a solid roof.
It can be an excellent compromise if you want a warmer, more extension-like room without losing the bright feeling that attracted you to a conservatory in the first place.
10. Consider Whether the Conservatory Needs a Larger Upgrade
Sometimes the cheapest solution in the long term is not continually spending money trying to heat an inefficient conservatory.
If the room is freezing in winter and unbearably hot in summer, the glazing and roof may simply be performing poorly.
Depending on the condition of the existing structure, it may be possible to upgrade individual elements such as the roof or glazing.
If the conservatory itself is very old, replacing it with a modern, thermally efficient design may provide better value over time.
What Is the Cheapest Way to Keep a Conservatory Warm?
If the conservatory is fundamentally sound, start with the inexpensive measures first.
Reduce draughts, use curtains or blinds, add a rug and avoid heating the room unnecessarily.
These changes may be enough if the conservatory is only slightly cold.
However, if the room loses heat very quickly, continually adding more heating is unlikely to be the cheapest long-term solution.
Improving the insulation of the glazing and roof is often a more effective way of reducing ongoing heat loss.
Are Solid Conservatory Roofs Warmer?
In many cases, yes.
A properly installed insulated solid roof can retain considerably more heat than an older polycarbonate or basic glass conservatory roof.
It can also reduce temperature fluctuations, helping the conservatory remain more comfortable throughout both winter and summer.
The improvement you experience will depend on the condition of the rest of the conservatory, including the glazing, frames, flooring and ventilation.
Can I Make an Old Conservatory Warmer Without Replacing It?
Often, yes.
If the frames and main structure are still in good condition, you may be able to improve the conservatory by replacing the roof, upgrading the glazing or addressing draughts and damaged seals.
A professional assessment can help determine whether your existing conservatory can be upgraded or whether replacement would offer better long-term value.
Make Your Conservatory a Room You Can Use All Year
A conservatory should not become an expensive room to heat every winter.
Simple changes can certainly help, but if you are constantly fighting against heat loss, the glazing or roof may be the real issue.
Modern energy-efficient glazing, high-performance glass roofs and insulated solid roof systems can all help reduce heat loss and make a conservatory far more comfortable throughout the colder months.
A solid roof with skylights or rooflights can also provide an excellent balance between warmth, insulation and natural daylight.
Elmhurst Windows supplies and installs new conservatories and replacement conservatory roofs across Leeds and the surrounding areas.
If your conservatory is too cold in winter, too hot in summer or simply no longer performing as it should, contact Elmhurst Windows to discuss the options available for improving your space.