Can I paint the interior of my polycarbonate conservatory roof to keep it a bit cooler in summer?

Answer 1

Use mirror-type heat reflective self-adhesive sheets that come on a roll specifically for that purpose.

Or blinds.

Answer 2

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Having had both, I suppose I would go for the polycarbonate. However, both are dreadful in the rain as the noise is horrendous, sounding as if somebody is chucking buckets of gravel over it! I now have a sun lounge, the difference being a normal, non-glazed roof but wall to wall windows. This is much better for several reasons. 1. It doesn't get so roasting hot in the sun. 2. It doesn't get so freezing cold in the winter. 3. It doesn't sound so awful in the rain. 4. It doesn't fill up with flies, wasps, bees etc. Personally, I'd never have a conservatory, in the accepted modern sense, again. A roof vent and a fan would not be nearly enough in the summer. You would have to leave all the doors and windows open as well and it would still be stifling hot.

Answer 3

If you have not started any work on a conservatory yet, I'd advice you look into the possibility of a proper extension to your house. Could be the same size as the intended conservatory, Walls to match your house + plenty of windows, roof to match your house but with a couple of large open able roof light windows in them. The costs might not be much different but you'll get better insulation. A conservatory tens to be cold in winter and too hot in summer. However to choose I'd go for a polycarbonate one with a UV coating (Normal polycarbonate will discolour become very brittle after time outdoors). Also consider a tint to reduce the sunlight, heat, in the summer. Glass does have the advantage of that it will last longer, barring any accidents....

Answer 4

dollybird and the other 'shaders' are on the right track. Even if you paint the inside or outside surface it will continue to absorb huge amounts of insolation and radiant the heat into the room. Once you have allowed the radiation to touch the material, even if painted (and to some extent even if coated with reflective material) it will heat up and radiate heat inside. Painting is the worst thing to do! Any heavy shading or reflective material suspended above the roof will allow the room to stay almost at ambient outside air temperature. Of course if this isn't in some kind of rigid frame it won't last a summer and it may also conflict with local codes and covenants. Surprisingly a sprinkler system running constantly during the day is very effective and even adds some cooling effect. It's zero maintenance, may look funny, may cost too much depending upon your water source, but is effective.

Answer 5

Did mine with very cheap muslin/linen/voile type of stuff ..... got it draped quite loosely with a hem of about 6- 8" hanging down on the sides...... looks good and does the job, the only draw back is that flies & insects get behind it & fry and you end up with loads of em eventually lying dead on the inside & its a right job to be taking them down to clean.... but if its inexpensive you want then thats the answer

Answer 6

I was in the Conservatory of a Restaurant recently and they had theirs covered with Hessian. Looked quite effective

Answer 7

you could buy some voile and tent the roof. if you buy seconds it will be about a £1 a metre and no-one will tell because it will all be gathered. i bought 100metres for my connie which is 10ft by 15ft. by far the cheapest way. we had quote for blinds and it was over 2k.

Answer 8

i wouldn't unless there is a special paint for carbonate roofing, cos it will just flake and peel off, the best thing is blinds but it might work out expensive.

Answer 9

Not really, you can use a white wash emulsion, its common practice for greenhouses but looks rubbish.

blinds would be best.

just be glad you haven't got a glass roof. Ours is triple glazed, perfect quality and quiet, but so hot

Answer 10

Why not buy some blinds fit for that purpose...they are quite cheap compared to what they used to be.