Does Window Film Work on Conservatories?
Conservatories are notorious for getting too hot in the summer and too cold in winter. Popular solutions vary, from applying reflective film to the roof and windows or upgrading the structure entirely.
When it comes to applying window film to a conservatory – glass or polycarbonate – the most important thing is that it actually works.
In this article, we’ll explain if window film works in conservatories, explore the differences between window film vs conservatory roof blinds, and answer other frequently asked questions about UV window film.
Does Window Film Work on Conservatories?
Window film applied to conservatories is proven to regulate temperatures, reduce glare, and protect furnishings from harmful sun rays. It’s most effective at deflecting heat in glass conservatories.
Similar benefits can be found when applying window film to polycarbonate conservatories, provided a polycarbonate window film is used.
In reality, conservatory window film keeps a conservatory cooler for longer on hot days without the need to draw the blinds. It also stops flooring and furniture, particularly leather, from fading or peeling due to daily UV exposure from the sun.
What are the Benefits of Window Film vs Conservatory Blinds?
Window film is generally considered quicker, easier, and more affordable compared to conservatory blinds. It can also be more effective and produce a better aesthetic.
The main benefits of window film vs conservatory roof blinds include:
1. Lower Costs
High-quality window film costs around 25% less to professionally install compared to conservatory blinds. Blinds are created bespoke to fit each window properly. Installation, particularly on the roof, of made-to-measure blinds can be time-consuming and therefore costly.
Unit costs for conservatory roof blinds are also significantly higher, with Checkatrade averaging prices over £4,500. Costs can go up depending on the conservatory size and any special features added (such as motorisation or cordless opening).
Window film is considered a quicker, easier, and more affordable solution to regulating temperatures in a conservatory, without compromising on aesthetics.
Get a quote today to find out how much window film installation costs for your conservatory.
2. Reduced Maintenance
Once applied to a conservatory, window film is highly durable and lasts for years. It requires minimal maintenance and can easily be cleaned with a duster or non-abrasive cloth and a gentle cleaning agent.
Conservatory blinds require more maintenance and care. They should be cleaned regularly to remove dust, dirt and grime, in addition to cleaning the windows behind.
Fabric blinds are prone to staining easily if substances are spilt. When they aren’t regularly opened and closed all the way, blinds can also become dirty or damaged.
3. Unrestricted Views/Sunlight
Translucent UV blinds filter out the sun in a conservatory, but at a price. While you can slightly see out into the garden, visibility is limited.
These types of conservatory blinds are designed to deflect heat while allowing some natural light to filter through. They aren’t designed to allow you to see clearly what’s going on outside, which can be unhelpful for families or homeowners with pets.
Window film, on the other hand, is completely transparent. It allows you to enjoy the full use of the conservatory during the day without getting too hot. You can easily see into the garden when window film is applied.
Even tinted window films, designed to increase UV blockage or add a unique aesthetic, still offer unrestricted views of the outside compared to conservatory blinds.
4. Better Coverage & Protection
Window film offers significantly better coverage and protection against harmful UV rays compared to conservatory blinds. Blinds are fitted to cover the entire window, but there will always be gaps in between, particularly with Victorian-shaped conservatories.
Whereas window film covers the entire window, so it’s more effective at reducing heat, filtering UV rays, and/or insulating a glass conservatory.
5. Daytime Privacy
An added bonus to window film is that it can be reflective on one side. This means people inside the conservatory can see out during the day, but others outside the conservatory can’t see in.
Other types of window film, such as frosted glass or etch effect, are ideal for creating night time privacy at home without drawing the blinds or curtains.
How to Keep a Conservatory Cool
Conservatories are tricky to keep cool when it’s hot outside or the sun is shining. Besides using a fan or air conditioning unit, directly blocking the UV rays or changing the structure of the building are generally the best ways to keep a conservatory cool.
The top ways to keep a conservatory cool include:
1. Install UV Window Film
UV window film is a thin adhesive specifically designed to cover glass windows and roofs in a conservatory to help regulate temperatures. With modern technology, UV window film (also known as solar control window film) is extremely effective, capable of rejecting up to 82% of solar energy and achieving 99% UV rejection.
2. Draw the Blinds
Drawing the blinds blocks out the sun, so it can keep a conservatory cooler to a degree. If the blinds are sheer or sunscreen, they are generally more effective at blocking out some of the heat than traditional blinds.
However, because blinds aren’t applied to the glass and there are gaps between each window, heat can still enter the glass and slowly warm up a conservatory.
3. Install Thermal Conservatory Blinds
Thermal conservatory blinds are designed to reduce heat in a conservatory by blocking UV rays from entering past the blinds. They can keep a conservatory cooler than if non-thermal blinds or curtains are drawn, but the results aren’t as effective as other methods, like solar control window film.
4. Upgrade the Roof
Installing a new warm roof, complete with skylights and roof tiles, as required, can better insulate a conservatory and keep it cool in summer. However, installing a new roof is costly and time-consuming.
Plus, while planning permission isn’t required, certain building regulations must be met when insulating a conservatory roof. This is particularly true when removing the doors separating the house from the conservatory.
FAQs
Can Window Film Insulate Windows?
Heat-reflective window film has advanced significantly and is now extremely effective in keeping the heat from entering a home, conservatory, or commercial building. Some low-E window films can also prevent or reduce heat loss during the cooler months, offering some insulating benefits.
What is an Alternative to Conservatory Roof Blinds?
An alternative to conservatory roof blinds is window film professionally applied to glass windows. Window film prevents a conservatory from getting too hot without drawing the blinds and removing the sunlight entirely.
Conservatory roof blinds are generally more expensive than window film, with estimates finding that window film is often more than 50% cheaper than custom-made blinds.
Can You Put Window Film on Polycarbonate?
Special window film can be applied to polycarbonate, known as polycarbonate window film. This contains a different type of adhesive that caters to the expansion and contraction of polycarbonate during normal daily fluctuations in temperature.
Window film for polycarbonate conservatories offers similar benefits to glass, in the sense that it can reduce heat and glare from the sun. The only difference is that the heat and glare reduction isn’t quite as high as when window film is applied to glass.
However, polycarbonate window film still provides a level of protection from the sun. Plus, when reflective one-way film is used, it makes a conservatory more private during the day without the need for blinds.
Window film is also less expensive to professionally install compared to bespoke conservatory blinds.
Conclusion
Window film is very effective at keeping a conservatory cool and preventing it from getting too hot to use. It’s also good at protecting furnishings from fading or wearing under the harsh sun rays.
Choosing the right window film is important. Different films can be applied to polycarbonate vs glass conservatories to produce the best effects. Professional installation can also ensure your window film is applied right the first time.
Find the right window film for your home with our expert team. We can offer guidance on the right window film that works in a conservatory.
Book a free consultation or get a free quote today to discover our range of window film installation services, personalised to suit your needs.