Plymouth's Conservatory Roof Specialists
Conservatory Too Hot in Summer?
An overheating conservatory is caused by the greenhouse effect through glass or polycarbonate roofs. The most effective permanent solution is replacing the roof with an insulated tiled roof that blocks solar heat gain while keeping the room bright through windows.
- Warm in winter, cool in summer
- No more leaks or condensation
- Fully insulated tiled roof systems
No pushy sales · Same-day reply · 10-year insurance-backed guarantee
A simple, considered approach.
Why Your Conservatory Overheats
If your conservatory becomes unbearable during the summer months, you're not alone. It's the single most common complaint from conservatory owners across Plymouth. The cause is simple: glass and polycarbonate roofs act like a greenhouse, trapping solar heat and pushing temperatures past 40°C — sometimes well past.
We've measured surface temperatures of 55°C on the inside of a south-facing polycarbonate roof in late July. Air temperature inside the room hit 47°C. That's the same as a hot car parked in direct sun — well above the NHS heatwave safe-room guidance of keeping indoor spaces below 26°C — and it makes the room not just uncomfortable but genuinely unsafe for pets, plants and elderly relatives.
Blinds, fans and reflective films can reduce the problem slightly, but none of them address the root cause. The only permanent solution is to replace the roof.
Why most older conservatory roofs stop working.
Almost every project we visit starts with the same set of complaints.
Too hot in summer
Glass and polycarbonate roofs trap solar heat and make the room unusable.
Too cold in winter
Poor insulation lets warmth escape and pushes up your heating bills.
Leaks & condensation
Aging seals and single-skin roofs let damp in and cause recurring leaks.
Loud during rain
Thin roof materials amplify noise so the room never feels settled.
The Science Behind Conservatory Overheating
Solar radiation passes straight through transparent roof panels and is absorbed by everything inside — floor, furniture, walls, even the air. Those surfaces re-radiate heat at longer wavelengths that can't easily pass back out through the glass. The result is a one-way heat trap.
- Glass and polycarbonate transmit up to 80% of solar energy into the room
- Dark furniture and flooring absorb heat and radiate it back, making it worse
- Poor ventilation traps hot air at ceiling level — opening doors barely helps
- UV exposure fades furniture, carpets and soft furnishings, often within two summers
- Solar gain peaks between 11am and 4pm — exactly when families want to use the room
A complete insulated warm-roof system.
Engineered to building-reg standards and finished beautifully inside and out.
The Permanent Solution: Replace the Roof
An insulated tiled roof blocks solar heat gain at the source. Instead of solar radiation pouring through a transparent roof, the solid, insulated structure reflects and absorbs heat externally — keeping the interior cool naturally without any electricity or moving parts.
- Blocks up to 95% of solar heat transmission through the roof
- Maintains comfortable temperatures without air conditioning
- Natural light still enters through windows, doors and optional roof windows
- Eliminates UV damage to furniture and furnishings
- Your conservatory becomes usable throughout summer — including the hottest afternoons
- Same insulation also keeps the room warm in winter
What Makes a Roof Cool the Room
Two things matter for stopping summer overheating: stopping heat getting in, and stopping heat building up. A solid insulated roof does both.
The thermal layers
- Composite roof tiles — reflect a high proportion of incident sunlight before it ever reaches the structure
- Breather membrane and ventilation — any heat that does build up in the roof void is exhausted at the ridge
- 100–150mm PIR insulation — blocks the remaining heat from passing through to the inside
- Plasterboard ceiling — final thermal mass that stays close to room temperature all day
Net result: the inside surface of your new ceiling stays within a degree or two of room temperature even on the hottest day — instead of becoming a 55°C radiator above your head.
Before & after — fixing an overheating conservatory.
Drag the slider to see how replacing a glass roof with an insulated tiled roof finally makes a conservatory usable in summer.
Plymouth — old glass conservatory roof replaced with a fully insulated tiled roof.
Drag the slider to compare
Four clear steps from first visit to finished room.
Survey
We visit, measure and discuss exactly how you want to use the room.
Specify
A clear written quote — materials, finish and timeline up front.
Install
Old roof off, fully insulated warm-roof system on, by our own crew.
Finish
Plastered ceiling, full clean-down and walk-through with you.
A conservatory you actually want to spend time in.
Cool in summer
No more trapped heat — the room stays comfortable on the hottest days.
Warm in winter
Insulated to modern building-reg standards so you keep the heat in.
10 year guarantee
Insurance-backed guarantee, plus a 40-year guarantee on the tiles.
Fast install
Most projects are completed in just 2–4 days by our own crew.
Benefits of Fixing an Overheating Conservatory
- Use your conservatory all summer — no more avoiding the room in warm weather
- No expensive cooling needed — save on fans and air conditioning costs
- Protect your furniture — no more UV fading and heat damage
- Comfortable for pets and plants — safe temperatures for everyone
- Also warm in winter — the same insulation works both ways
- Quieter in rain — bonus benefit when summer storms hit
Used to be 42°C in there by lunchtime. After the new roof — 23°C on the same kind of day. We had Sunday lunch in the conservatory in August for the first time ever. Should have done it years ago.
What does it cost?
Honest, typical price ranges so you can plan with confidence — every quote is bespoke after a free home survey.
What Does It Cost To Stop Overheating Permanently?
Comparison of common fixes — short-term and long-term:
- Solar reflective film — £6,000 fitted, lasts 5–7 years, reduces heat by 30–50%
- External or internal blinds — £6,000 reduces peak temp by 2–3°C, ongoing cleaning
- Portable air conditioning — £400–£800 unit + ~£1–£2/hour to run all summer
- Insulated tiled roof replacement — £6,000 lasts decades, reduces solar gain by 95%, also fixes winter cold
Replacement price guide
- Small lean-to: from £6,000 fitted
- Edwardian / Victorian: from £6,000
- Large P-shape: from £6,000
Plymouth, Devon & Cornwall.
A locally based crew covering the South West — most projects are within 30 minutes of our Barbican workshop.
Cooling Down Conservatories Across Plymouth
South-facing conservatories across the South West suffer most. Recent overheating fixes include homes in:
- Plymouth — Plymstock, Plympton, Mannamead, Mutley, Peverell, Crownhill, Hartley
- South Hams — Ivybridge, Yealmpton, Newton Ferrers, Modbury
- South-East Cornwall — Saltash, Torpoint, Callington
- West Devon — Tavistock, Yelverton
Why our warm roof outperforms a traditional conservatory.
Frequently asked questions.
Will blinds fix an overheating conservatory?+
Blinds reduce glare and direct sunlight but don't solve the underlying thermal problem — heat still enters through the roof and gets trapped. A roof replacement is the only permanent fix. Blinds alone typically reduce peak temperature by 2–3°C; a solid insulated roof reduces it by 10–15°C.
How quickly will I notice the difference after install?+
Immediately. From the first warm day after installation, the conservatory stays at a comfortable temperature instead of overheating. Most customers say it's the single biggest improvement they've ever made to their home.
Will my conservatory be darker?+
Slightly, but most customers prefer it. The harsh overhead sunlight is replaced with comfortable ambient light through windows. We can also fit Velux-style roof windows to keep the space bright — two skylights in a typical roof works really well.
How hot does a conservatory actually get in summer?+
We've measured 45°C+ in Plymouth conservatories on hot summer afternoons — roughly the temperature of a hot car parked in the sun. Glass and polycarbonate transmit up to 80% of solar energy directly into the room, and there's nowhere for the heat to escape.
Will solar reflective film work instead of replacing the roof?+
Solar films can reduce solar heat gain by 30–50%, but they also significantly darken the room, can damage existing seals, and need replacing every 5–7 years. They're a partial workaround rather than a real solution. An insulated tiled roof reduces solar heat gain by 95% and lasts decades.
How much does it cost to fix an overheating conservatory?+
A full insulated tiled roof replacement — the only permanent solution — starts from £6,000 fully fitted regardless of size or shape. Free written quote after a home survey.
Won't air conditioning be cheaper than a new roof?+
Up-front, yes — a portable AC unit is £400–£800. But running costs are high (around £1–£2/hour to run), units only cool when they're on, and you still get the greenhouse heat damage to furniture. A new roof is a one-off cost that solves the problem permanently and also fixes winter cold.
Will the new roof also help in winter?+
Yes — the same insulation that blocks summer heat retains winter warmth. Many customers find their heating bills drop noticeably and they can use the room comfortably 12 months a year, not just spring and autumn.
What about extractor fans or roof vents?+
Vents and fans help remove hot air but you can only extract heat as fast as it enters — and through a glass roof in summer that's a lot. They make the problem 10–20% better. A solid roof reduces the heat coming in by 95%, so there's barely any heat to remove.
Do you cover Plymouth and the surrounding area?+
Yes — we cover Plymouth, Plympton, Plymstock, Ivybridge, the South Hams, Saltash, Torpoint, Tavistock and across South Devon and South-East Cornwall. Travel is included in the quoted price.
Got questions?
Straight answers to the things people ask us most.
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