If you’ve ever stepped into your conservatory on a cold day and felt more like stepping outside than into your home, you’re not alone — one of the most common complaints from UK homeowners is that their conservatory too cold to use in winter, spring and autumn. This problem isn’t just uncomfortable — it’s a sign that heat is escaping far more quickly than it should, costing you money and making your space far less usable than you hoped.
In this guide, we explain why conservatories get cold and, most importantly, how you can fix it — permanently.
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Why Conservatories Get Too Cold in Winter
Conservatories are excellent at letting light in, but not at keeping heat inside. The main reasons include:
- Poor roof insulation: Traditional glass or polycarbonate roofs lose heat rapidly through the top — up to three times more than a standard insulated ceiling.
- Heat loss through windows: Conservatories generally have large glazed areas, making them vulnerable to cold air penetration.
- Draughts and gaps: Even tiny gaps around doors, frames, or panels allow warm air to escape.
- Low thermal mass: Unlike the rest of your home, conservatories usually lack materials that store heat, making them cold at night even after warm days.
Without addressing these issues, simply adding more heating won’t solve the root cause — you’ll run higher energy costs without lasting comfort.
Top Strategies to Stop Your Conservatory Being Too Cold
1. Invest in Quality Conservatory Roof Insulation
The biggest single improvement you can make is upgrading the roof. A well-insulated roof keeps warm air inside and stops cold air from stealing the heat you pay for.
Efficway’s Dual Insulation — a two-layer roof insulation system — delivers best-in-class thermal performance with a low U-value that keeps warmth in where it belongs.
Benefits include:
- Warmer in winter, cooler in summer — you gain true year-round usability.
- Lower energy bills — insulation stops heat escaping so quickly.
- Reduced condensation and noise — a more pleasant space overall.
2. Seal Draughts and Improve Insulation Around Openings
Draughts around doors, window frames and baseboards are sneaky heat thieves. Weather-stripping, draught excluders, and sealing gaps can make a noticeable difference to retained heat.
3. Add Thermal Blinds or Curtains
While not a complete solution on their own, thermal blinds and insulated curtains create an additional barrier to heat loss through glazing. They are particularly effective to slow down heat loss overnight.
4. Consider Underfloor Coverings or Insulation
Cold floor surfaces are another contributor to the chill factor. Thick carpets, rugs or underfloor insulation can help to stop heat bleeding away at ground level
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5. Efficient Heating Options — With Insulation First
Heating alone — such as electric panel heaters or extensions from your central heating — will raise temperatures temporarily. However, without proper insulation, this heat will escape quickly and cost more.
Start with insulation and then balance with efficient heating for best results.
How Efficway Solves the “Conservatory Too Cold” Problem
If your conservatory too cold to use, Efficway provides proven insulation solutions that turn it into a comfortable, energy-efficient living space you can enjoy all year round.
We are a family-run conservatory roof insulation company with over 10 years’ experience and 5-star customer reviews, specialising exclusively in upgrading existing conservatory roofs — with no structural changes and minimal disruption. Most installations are completed within just one day.
Our Conservatory Insulation Solutions
Solution 1: ThermoPanels Conservatory Roof Insulation
ThermoPanels are lightweight, high-performance insulated panels installed externally in place of existing polycarbonate or glass roof panels. They dramatically reduce heat loss, helping to keep your conservatory warmer in winter and cooler in summer, while also reducing outside noise and condensation. This is one of the most effective ways to fix a conservatory that is too cold — without the cost of a full roof replacement.
Solution 2: Conservatory Roof Insulated Ceiling – Warmth from the Inside
If your conservatory too cold because of heat escaping through the roof, one of the most effective ways to retain warmth is by adding an insulated ceiling.
At Efficway, we install purpose-designed Conservatory Roof Insulated Ceilings that work from the inside to improve thermal performance, reduce heat loss, and give your conservatory a more finished, comfortable interior space.
Solution 3: Dual Insulation – Maximum Warmth & Efficiency
For homeowners looking for the highest level of thermal performance, Efficway offers Dual Insulation — an advanced two-layer insulation system that combines:
- ThermoPanels
- An Internal Insulated Conservatory Ceiling
This combination delivers exceptional all-season comfort, with a market-leading U-value of just 0.15 W/m²K, making it one of the most efficient conservatory insulation solutions available.
Solution 4: Ultralite 500 Conservatory Roof Replacement
Many lean-to conservatories across the UK were built with Ultralite 500 polycarbonate roofs — a free-spanning, low-pitch uPVC system that cannot support standard insulated roof upgrades once the polycarbonate reaches the end of its lifespan.
Efficway offers a specialist solution for Ultralite 500 roofs, using a bespoke timber framework, ThermoPanels insulation and an internal insulated ceiling.
This allows Ultralite 500 conservatories to be insulated effectively, transforming them from cold, underuse d spaces into warm, functional rooms.
Conclusion
A conservatory being too cold in winter isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a symptom of inefficient design and heat loss. The good news is that with the right insulation and a few strategic improvements, you can turn that chilly space into a warm, inviting room you’ll want to use every day.
Start with conservatory roof insulation — it’s the most effective way to keep warmth in and cold out. Then, combine this with draught-proofing, thermal blinds, and efficient heating for the coziest conservatory possible.
Is your conservatory too cold?
Contact Efficway for a free consultation and a no-obligation quote and see how our bespoke roof insulation solutions can transform your space.