Conservatory Solar Inserts

[hammondo]

Hi All,

Just a quick opinion from anyone who has experience of these if you would be so kind...

Everywhere I have read about these has confirmed that their summer performance is good, but the winter heat insulation properties is a bit more vague. Can anyone let me know if they have any effect during the winter at retaining heat, or is it just a summer thing at reflecting it?

Thanks in advance

Paul

 

[Alastairreid]

clicky

 

[hammondo]

Thanks Alastair, i'd already found this, but doesn't really tell me what I need to know. I need to know if it has any impact at all on keeping the heat in during the winter, or if it's just useful in the summer

Paul

 

[DARTHVADER]

Hello Yes they do retain some heat, but not much. I noticed a difference in the winter. I have a double rad in my conservatory. They are excellent at keeping the heat out, really cooling things down. Time consuming to fit, but worth it.

 

[hammondo]

thanks darth, so they are vaguely useful in the winter at keeping the heat in then. Is it much difference, or is it all in the mind do you think?

May the forth be with you

 

[DARTHVADER]

Hi hammondo,

Not in the mind no, I wasn’t kidding myself.
There was a difference that you could feel.

I hammered the company down on price when I purchased, they come down from well over £500 to start with to a final cost of £300, for approx. 12m2.

May the SNORE be with you, hence Darth!

 

[hammondo]

Thanks Darth.

Did they install, or did you self install?

Paul

 

[DARTHVADER]

hi paul,

No I installed them.

 

[hammondo]

were they as easy to fit as they appear? It looks straight forward enough, but looks like it has potential to be a git!

 

[DARTHVADER]

The main problems were the end of the actual tape would sometimes split. You are required to punch a small hole in the end, to allow the insert tool to push the tape into the gap.

Basically some of the gaps were a little smaller than others, resulting in more friction, hence the occasional tear/split. Easy enough to pull back out and cut/hole punch again and re-insert. Especially annoying when one would split about an inch from the end!!

Much easier too, if you have access all round the roof, as if like me, you're obstructed (one side in my case) then you will actually have to remove the sheets from the roof, and then refit after the tapes are all in.

A reet pain!! but apart from that, not too bad. Hope I ain't put you off!

 

[CullyDIY]

I recently fitted inserts into my lean to and instantly noticed the difference on heat build up in the conservatory. Obviously hasn't been cold enough to notice improvement in insulation but sounds as if it should work in theory.
I actually got my inserts from conservatorycomfort.co.uk who say they have a patented design which performs better and is much easier to fit than the tape alternative. They form into a sort of channel shape which is rigid enough to push up the polycarbonate cavity and I didn't need to use any rods, hole punches, or silicon spray. I must say they were so easy to install - even quite satisfying when completed!
There was even a promo on which meant they were cheaper too - about £250 for my 4m by 3m lean to.
They do new roof panels too which would have been a thought if ours was in poor condition or a low spec type.

 

[Mw Roofline]

Hi All,

Just a quick opinion from anyone who has experience of these if you would be so kind...

Everywhere I have read about these has confirmed that their summer performance is good, but the winter heat insulation properties is a bit more vague. Can anyone let me know if they have any effect during the winter at retaining heat, or is it just a summer thing at reflecting it?

Thanks in advance

Paul

Hi there, they are graet at keeping the heat out but winter insulation properties remain exactly the same.

 

[Mw Roofline]

Sorry didn't realise...