Is your conservatory freezing? You’re not alone. Most conservatories in Newcastle become too cold to use between October and March, wasting valuable space and the money you invested in building it. The good news is you don’t always need an expensive roof replacement to fix the problem.
This guide explains why your conservatory is so cold, shows you seven practical solutions from quick DIY fixes to professional upgrades, and gives you honest advice about what works (and what doesn’t) in Newcastle’s cold, wet climate.
Why Is My Conservatory So Cold?
Your conservatory is cold because it loses heat much faster than the rest of your house. Here’s why:
Poor roof insulation is the biggest culprit. Many conservatories built over the past couple of decades have polycarbonate or thin glass roofs with minimal insulation. These roofs let heat escape far faster than your house roof. Heat rises straight through and disappears into the Newcastle winter air.
No permanent heating means there’s nothing to replace the heat that’s escaping. Many conservatories were built without radiators or underfloor heating, leaving you dependent on portable heaters that can’t keep up with the heat loss.
Gaps and draughts around doors, windows, and roof panels let cold air seep in. Over time, seals perish and frames shift slightly, creating tiny gaps that add up to significant heat loss.
North-facing orientation makes things worse. If your conservatory faces north, it never gets direct winter sun to provide any natural warmth.
The colder, wetter North East climate compounds all these problems. What might be tolerable in southern England becomes unusable in Newcastle and Northumberland from November through March.
Quick Fixes
Before investing thousands in major upgrades, try these quick wins. They won’t transform your conservatory, but they can make it more comfortable on milder winter days.
Thermal Curtains and Blinds
Thermal curtains or honeycomb blinds create an insulating layer between the glass and your living space. They trap a pocket of air that slows heat loss.
- Best for: Conservatories with large areas of glass wall
- Limitation: Doesn’t fix roof heat loss (the main problem)
Hang thermal curtains across the doors connecting your conservatory to your house. This stops warm air from your home escaping into the cold conservatory at night, saving on your overall heating bills even if the conservatory itself stays cold.
Draught Proofing
- Best for: Newer conservatories with minor seal problems
- How to: Apply self-adhesive foam strips to door frames, use brush strips under doors, and fill larger gaps with flexible sealant
Check around every door, window, and roof panel for gaps. Use a stick of incense on a breezy day – the smoke will show you where air is leaking.
This is the single best value quick fix. Sealing draughts makes the space feel immediately more comfortable.
Insulated Floor Covering
Cold rising from an uninsulated floor makes your conservatory feel colder than it actually is. A thick rug with underlay or engineered wood flooring provides better insulation than tiles or laminate.
- Best for: Conservatories with tiled or laminate floors
- Avoid: Carpet – it traps moisture and gets dirty quickly
Engineered wood is often preferred over solid wood because it’s more stable with temperature and humidity changes.
Portable Electric Heaters
A portable heater can take the chill off on days you’re actually using the conservatory, but it’s expensive to run and inefficient.
- Best for: Occasional use only
- Warning: Never leave unattended, and expect high electricity bills if used regularly
Oil-filled radiators are more efficient than fan heaters. Infrared heaters warm objects and people directly but do nothing for ambient temperature.
When quick fixes work: If your conservatory is fairly new, structurally sound, and you only want to use it occasionally on mild winter days, these fixes might be enough.
When they don’t work: If you have a polycarbonate roof, want to use the space regularly, or face north, these solutions won’t make enough difference. You’ll need to address the insulation problem directly.
Mid-Range Upgrades: When Quick Fixes Aren’t Enough
These options require more investment but deliver genuine improvement. They’re worth considering if your conservatory structure is solid but the roof or heating is inadequate.
Conservatory Roof Insulation Panels
Retrofit insulation panels fit over your existing polycarbonate roof, adding a proper insulating layer without replacing the entire roof structure.
- What you get: Insulated panels fitted between or over the existing glazing bars, finished with a plaster ceiling underneath
- Performance: Significantly reduces heat loss
This option works well if your conservatory base and walls are in good condition but the roof is the weak point. You lose some height and all natural light from the roof, so you’ll need to add spotlights.
Permanent Heating Installation
Adding a proper heating system gives you control over temperature without relying on expensive portable heaters.
Electric radiators: Quick and easy retrofit, no need for pipes or boiler capacity. Choose models with programmable thermostats to avoid wasting electricity.
Extension to central heating: Requires pipework, radiator, and enough boiler capacity. Best done when you’re already doing other building work.
Underfloor heating: The most comfortable option as heat rises naturally through the room.
Reality check: Even with permanent heating, if your roof insulation is poor (polycarbonate or thin glass), you’re heating the Newcastle sky more than your conservatory. Fix insulation first, then add heating.
Warm Roof Replacement: The Long-Term Fix for a Cold Conservatory
If your conservatory has an older glass or polycarbonate roof, or you want proper year-round usability, a warm roof replacement is the most effective long-term solution.
What Is a Warm Roof?
Key benefits:
A warm roof conservatory has a solid tiled, insulated roof with a plastered ceiling underneath, just like a house extension. The insulation sits above the ceiling, creating a room that keeps heat in winter and stays cool in summer.
- Properly insulated (same standard as your house roof)
- Makes conservatory usable throughout the year
- Stops overheating in summer too
- Adds proper ceiling with spotlights
- Can increase property value
What’s involved:
- Complete removal of existing roof
- Installation of insulated roof panels and weatherproof membrane
- Internal plaster ceiling fitted underneath
- LED spotlights installed
- Building Regulations approval and sign-off
- Optional: skylights or glass panels to maintain some natural light
Worth considering: A warm roof saves on energy bills (you stop trying to heat an uninsulated space), adds functional square metres to your home, and can increase property value.
Glass or Tiled Roof Alternatives
Glass roof upgrade: Replacing polycarbonate with modern double or triple-glazed panels improves insulation and looks better, but it’s still glass – you won’t get the same warmth as a solid roof. Glass roofs work well if maintaining natural light is your priority.
Tiled roof: Using lightweight tiles over insulated panels gives you a roof that looks like a house extension from outside. Excellent insulation but blocks all light from above.
Most Newcastle homeowners choosing between these options pick warm roof with skylights – you get excellent insulation plus some natural light where you want it.
Should You Repair, Upgrade, or Replace?
| Choose quick fixes if: | Choose mid-range upgrades if: | Choose warm roof replacement if: |
|---|---|---|
| – You only use it occasionally – The structure is sound, just needs minor improvements – Budget is tight right now You might move house soon | – The base and walls are solid – You can’t afford full replacement yet – You want noticeable improvement without major work | – You want year-round usability – You’re staying in the property for several years – You’ve already spent hundreds on unsuccessful fixes – The space is large enough to justify the investment |
Why North East Conservatories Suffer More
Newcastle’s climate makes conservatory temperature problems worse than in southern England:
Colder average temperatures mean the heat differential between inside and outside is greater. Your conservatory works harder to stay warm and loses heat faster.
Higher rainfall and humidity means more damp, condensation, and seal degradation. Coastal properties can face even faster deterioration from salt air.
Less winter sunlight – Newcastle’s northern latitude means shorter days and lower sun angles in winter. Your conservatory gets minimal passive solar heating.
Exposed locations in rural Northumberland or coastal areas face stronger winds that drive cold air through any gaps.
Hawthorns’ Local Experience:
For over 37 years, Hawthorns Windows has been trusted to install and refurbish conservatories across Newcastle and the North East.
Our experience means we understand the unique challenges of the local climate, and we recommend solutions that keep your conservatory comfortable year-round. From Jesmond townhouses to coastal Northumberland homes, we tailor every project to suit your property and lifestyle.
How Hawthorns Windows Can Help
The right solution for your conservatory depends on its age, condition, how you want to use it, and your budget.
A professional survey should give you:
- Honest assessment of your conservatory’s condition
- Explanation of what’s causing the temperature problems
- Range of options from roof upgrade to full replacement
- Transparent costs for each option
- No pressure to decide immediately
If you’re in Newcastle or the wider North East and tired of a conservatory you can’t use six months of the year, we can help.
Get a free survey and honest advice: Call us on 0191 28 61 054 or complete the form below to arrange a no-obligation consultation. We’ll assess your conservatory, explain your options, and give you transparent costs so you can make an informed decision.