Anglian Home's Solaroof - really as good as a tiles and insulated roof?

[jonny123]

Just had a chat with an Anglian Home's guy. I am in two minds about whether I should have a glass roof or a tiled roof. I was against glass after going into my neighbours conservatory this summer - it was unbearably hot. Also concerned about temperatures in winter.

The salesman insisted that their Solaroof / Solaglass technology blocks 98% of solar heat and also insulates very effectively. But I cannot help thinking that a bit of argon between two bits of glass is no match for 30 cm of insulation in a pitched roof.

Looking for professional / experienced opinions on it. i.e., do you work with this, or a similar product, or have you had it installed in a conservatory extension? How is it really?

The salesman mentioned that the glass is used in St Mary's Axe (Gherkin) to help keep it cool, but I worked in the city for long enough to know that all offices have to have air con all year round to stay cool, so that argument did not overly impress me.

Want to save money and go for the cheaper option - but not if it means I avoid using my conservatory for 6 months of the year.

 

[MBE1]

If your roof is south facing then you will need ventilation and shades, end of. A couple of roof vents will help keep the heat down, or aircon for best results.

If you face east or west you will probably still need some help controlling the temp.

I wouldn't discount glass altogether, but you have to understand it's limitations. That said throughout the year it will also help heat the conservatory, and the extra light it allows is worth putting up with some odd problems.

 

[jonny123]

Interesting - I had not thought about it in terms of helping to warm up the conservatory in winter.

 

[DiBaker]

Don't be put off by glass roofs, have a look at Refresh Glass. It's got a special coating that helps regulate heat. I replaced my roof at the end of summer and everything's been alright so far. I hope this helps.

Di

 

[MrCloser]

U value is rate of heat loss through a material, lower the better. So your double glazed roof will be about 10% of the insulation of a tiled insulated roof!



30 degree tiled roof with 200mm insulation =0.18

triple glazed upvc Low E glass Argon filled 1.60 plus 0.40 = 2.00

insulated cavity wall between about 0.27 - 0.70




http://www.microgenerationcertifica...s from Domestic Heating Design Guide v1.0.pdf


I've used triple glazing as the double glazed units are stated as 12mm, most sealed units have a much larger air gap. there is also a 0.4 correction value added for the 30 degree slope.

I'd go for a tiled and well insulated roof. Also condensation and more draughts from the heat differences in the room if heated in winter might be a unwelcome.

Haggle hard with the rep, his commission is based on the sale value, but selling 'bottomed out' means he could make very little even on a 20k order. Anglian are one of the better companies around imo.

 

[d-g.repairs]

I did a conservatory about 18 months back and the have a glass roof and its south facing and I 've been back several times since to carry out other work and I 've been there in summer and winter and too be honest the only time it was too hot was when we had a couple of really hot days 29c etc and I've been there recenlty and its certainly not cold even in winter.

The glass had a low uv rating and was easy clean can remember the uv rating