Conservatory roofing has come a long way from the any-glass-will-do mentality several decades ago. Here are the different concepts that you need to have knowledge of, to make a better roofing choice – something you’ll find handy not only in DIY projects but in those involving used roofing conservatories as well.

Maintenance

Conservatory roofs are subject to the same problem that glass windows are faced with – dirty panes. They are even more difficult to clean because you have to get on the roof whenever you do. The good news is that you may use self-cleaning glass. The self-cleaning is a two-part process. The special coating of the glass reacts with light and breaks down dirt, at least the organic ones. After this, whenever it rains, rainwater on the glass spread out and run off as sheets, instead of making those annoying lines. It even dries quickly. Second hand conservatories with self-cleaning glass can be a good buy.

Glare

You may need to employ glare reduction, especially if your conservatory faces South or South-west. Glass-enclosed buildings will attract solar gain and conservatories are a prime example. You may want to use tinted glass or polycarbonate roof. Polycarbonate roof is more durable due to its plastic properties. An added bonus is that it provides more insulation.

This type of roofing is generally available in three shades – clear, bronze and opal. Clear has 70% light transmission which means that it’s not technically clear, but that is another story. Go for it if you want more light and heat. Bronze has light transmission of around 45%. This is recommended for glare reduction. Opal has rates of around 40%. It has good glare reduction, but still offers ample light even during cloudy days.

Thermal Insulation

You should also install roofing that can provide good insulation. This is especially handy during the winter months when you may need to retain as much heat as possible. Glass infused with the element argon has good insulation properties. There are also some with metallic coating on one side which prevents the heat from getting reflected back. These types of glass are also called low-emissivity glass.

The any-glass-will-do mentality may be due to the fact that it was only recently that technological developments enabled advancement in manufacturing roofing materials for conservatories. Keep in mind that roofing is a vital aspect in installing DIY conservatories and adequate effort should be put into its installation.

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