The UPVC Conservatory roof is one of the most critical parts of the structure that must be considered. Any small defect in the roof can ruin the whole conservatory and will seriously compromise its long term durability. A poorly constructed or poorly chosen roof could also lead to temperatures becoming too hot in the summer and too cold in the cooler winter months. Regular maintenance and cleaning costs are also likely to be much higher if mistakes are made. Therefore, before construction begins, it is vital to devote adequate time and effort to researching which roofing options and specifications will be best for your needs and the long term prospects of your conservatory.
UPVC conservatory roofs have several advantages making them attractive options for many homeowners. These include:
• Fire resistance
• Insensitivity to hot-cold cycles and
• High mechanical resistance and adaptability to structural movement
• Ability to insulate an area, allowing you to control temperatures easily
When purchasing a roof system it is important to remember that quality should be your number one priority. Even though cheaper systems may save you money in the short term, they may result in a space that is expensive to maintain over the long term, as well as being difficult to heat effectively due to poor thermal efficiency. This last point should be paid particularly close attention as environmental issues remain in the spotlight and energy costs are increasing. Try to use thermally clad frames where possible as this will increase energy-efficiency.
Conservatory roofing systems are produced from a variety of materials such as UPVC, aluminum and timber. You should also look into a roof system’s glazing material. Glazing materials include various types of glass glazing units as well as polycarbonate, which is essentially a type of plastic. These materials have different properties, benefits and drawbacks which should be taken into account when making your choice.
The type of roofing system you purchase will depend to a large degree on the type of glazing material that you will be using for your conservatory. Polycarbonate is a lightweight material that can be fitted in different ways. How much polycarbonate can your roof accommodate? If it can only accommodate 10mm polycarbonate, then it’s considered as a low quality product with poor insulation and fairly unprofessional.
The most popular option when glazing UPVC conservatory roofs these days is 16mm polycarbonate. There are however fairly new options of 25mm and 35mm polycarbonate glazing which are quickly growing in popularity. These are considered to be more professional and provide greater levels on insulation. As well as dealing with heat loss effectively, these thicker polycarbonates also provide greater sound insulation than the thinner materials will, so unless you enjoy the sound of raindrops falling on your roof, you will definitely want to look them. Basically, as a general rule, the thicker the polycarbonate is, the better the glazing material will be.
