Whilst we start to see glimpses of summer throughout March and April, May is typically the first month of the year which feels truly summery. This is often both a blessing and a curse for old conservatories.
With temperatures suddenly reaching as high as 35 degrees Celsius in late May, many people have been caught out with beautiful but unseasonal and sometimes uncomfortable sunny weather.
An unfortunate assumption made about conservatories is that they get far too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter, and whilst that is far from always the case with modern conservatories, older ones needing substantial repairs can become unbearable during heatwaves.
There are several long-term solutions you can find to help, from UV layers on glass to solid roof replacements. These refurbishments will not only help keep your conservatory looking its best but also make it far more usable during more extreme weather conditions.
What should you do if you need to cool down your conservatory now, however?
To help cool your conservatory down, it is important to know why some conservatories get too hot in the first place, some quick fixes to help minimise the heat and whether you should consider more substantial upgrades to your sunroom.
Why Do Conservatories Overheat?
Early conservatories were not designed with insulation in mind, and whilst this makes them bitterly cold in winter because heat easily escapes, it also allows sunlight, UV rays and heat to enter what is effectively a greenhouse.
Much like a greenhouse, UV rays find it easier to enter a greenhouse than leave it, creating a particularly balmy, oven-like ambience.
This is not helped by the materials used in early, low-cost conservatories; uninsulated walls, single-glazed windows and either thin glass or polycarbonate roof panels are all ill-suited for insulation purposes.
Many modern conservatories are designed far more like extensions to a house rather than lighter, less robust additions, and this means that many of these issues can be fixed with the help of experts.
How Can You Cool Your Conservatory Now?
During a heatwave, however, you want to ensure that your home and your conservatory are as cool as possible without the added heat that comes from extra remedial works.
Whilst some homeowners simply avoid using their conservatory on hot days except as a way to get to the garden, there are a few tricks you can try to keep the conservatory cool enough to enjoy.
Close The Blinds/Curtains
If you do not have effective conservatory insulation, there are some makeshift alternatives that will provide a bit of relief, such as using your curtains and blinds as a makeshift insulating layer.
Keeping your curtains closed during the hottest part of the day, from around mid-morning until mid-afternoon, blocks UV rays from entering your conservatory and makes it easier to cool down the room later when you open your curtains and windows.
Use The Ice Fan Trick
Bringing a fan into your conservatory will provide some relief, but if you do not have a proper air conditioning system or a particularly powerful fan, there are some tricks you can try to help cool the air around you.
The most effective of these is placing a bucket or bowl of ice in front of the fan, as this creates a waft of cool air that the fan will circulate around the room, helping you feel a more immediate relief.
Keep Ventilated
Whilst opening the windows wide will have a limited effect, opening ventilation panels or the windows open a crack whilst keeping the curtains and blinds closed will add ventilation throughout your home.
Turn Off Electronics
If you have phone chargers, a television set or other electronics on standby, turn them off and unplug them.
Whilst they do not use too much electricity, they do generate a small amount of heat that can add up on a very hot day.
Hose Down The Patio
A common trick used in Mediterranean countries to keep a home cool during the height of summer is to wash your patio, courtyard or brick terrace, as they store heat and create a heat island effect.
Splashing it with cold water, especially in the latter part of the afternoon, creates a cool wave of air akin to the end of a summer rainstorm, making your conservatory feel much cooler almost immediately.
This cannot be done if you are subject to a hosepipe ban, but it can help keep your back garden clean whilst also helping you stay cool afterwards, especially if you have a fan strategically placed to distribute the heat.