Insulating A Conservatory Roof.

[hammerman]

5m x 4m conservatory with a white polycarb roof which is unheated.

I want to start thinking of growing some seeds in there but would obviously need to heat it first.

Was thinking of attaching some bubblewrap to the inside of the roof but not sure how. It would need to be temporary and removable come the warmer weather.

Any suggestions how i can attach bubblewrap....or anything else, to the polycarb ?

Ta muchly

[carrust]

Duct tape would do the job. You might find that it leaves a sticky residue on the polycarbonate.

[The Builder]

Do you have timber rafters supporting the polycarb, or are they the self-supporting aluminium type?

[Zacs-Master]

You're heading for big condensation problems trying to insulate a conservatory with bubble wrap.

[hammerman]

Unfortunately they're the self supporting aluminium type, Builder.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Half a dozen propagators may be a better idea.

[The Builder]

I think His Brightness is right, Hammers. Do bear in mind though, dope plants grow quite tall. Make sure the propagator is big enough ;o)

[hammerman]

Haha....i have several home made undersoil propagators which work a treat. It's when the seedlings have germinated and i need to move them out into the conservatory area for the next lot when i'll have problems. I was just trying to save the planet a bit by saving heat.

[The Builder]

Ok ......... :o)

To be quite honest, Hammers, it's not going to look too great with bubble-wrap stuck up there. In fact, it's not going to do a great deal for insulation values either.

For a more pukka job, I'd go for a simple, inexpensive suspended ceiling system as used in shops and offices.

It's just a matrix of 600 x 600mm holes in an aluminium frame. Suspended from the existing aluminium rafters (self-tapping screws and wire hangers.)

Each "hole" could take a square of triple wall polycarb... or more if you like. You'd also have the advantage of the air space between the two surfaces. In summer, just remove the squares and leave the frame in place.

[Zacs-Master]

I still think that would cause big condensation probs builder.

[The Builder]

Yes, sorry Zacs. You're quite right. It may well do, but the existing roof should have some provision for that with some form of ventilation.

If not, then ventilation would certainly have to be introduced to the ceiling void created.

[Zacs-Master]

Which would let the heat escape and render the insulation (if not seriously denuded) useless.

[The Builder]

Yes, to a point, Zacs. Only above the new ceiling though. I'd try to make the suspended bit of a far higher insulation level than the existing to overcome this.

I'm afraid this is why the clever money these days is going away from conservatories with polycarb roofs. "Garden rooms" are the way to go now ........... with proper insulated roofs and big Veluxes.

These conservatories really have only two properties .......... over-hot in Summer, and freezing in winter. They don't easily lend themselves to improvement without substantial re-vamping.

[Zacs-Master]

My brother in law has (had?) a company installing ceilings in conservatories.

[The Builder]

Ah, so it is done then? There's also a very good system now where the polycarb is overlaid with a proper slate roof with high insulation level multifoil.

So, one way or another, improvements can be made. It all depends on how far Hammers wants to go. :o)

[Zacs-Master]

Same system / business builder.

[gsr600]

as suggested DON'T do bubble wrap

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Me thinks it will be cheaper to buy a greenhouse and burn Rembrandts to keep it warm.

[hammerman]

Thanks guys. I have a 10 x 8 greenhouse but no heat.

I'd love a ceiling but then it stops the light coming through.

I feel it's just a matter of turning on a small electric fan heater or the oil filled rad and keep the thermostat set to low. Even plant seedlings such as Chillis etc will tolerate temps down to 5 C...they won't like it but it won't kill them.

Thanks again.

[alavahalf]

You are most of the way there, the fact you have a conservatory.
What I would do is clean the windows in the conservatory so as to let in the maximum amount of available light.
Make a small tunnel from the clearest polythene you can get hold of and make a small tunnel to cover your seedlings.
Make the supports from wire and canes. It's only a temporary cover so it doesn't need to be substantial.
I've got a poly tunnel that is over 25sq metres and I will put a small tunnel within my tunnel when I want to start things off... very soon !
Been in it today and it was 65 degrees ... lovely.

[hammerman]

Yeah....ive thought about building a small poly tunnel or greenhouse within the conservatory and just adding a small heater to that.