British homes are well-known for their conservatories, allowing homeowners to feel like they are sitting in their garden and enjoying nature without having to feel the bitter winter cold or get drenched in August showers.

Thanks to the UK’s inclement weather, around one-fifth of homes in England are fitted with conservatories, with most of these having been installed during the height of their popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. 

Consequently, many are now getting old and are in need of repair. 

Here are some of the most common problems homeowners have to deal with when it comes to their conservatories:

Too cold

Only 77 per cent of conservatories in England have heating, with 42 per cent of these using storage or direct electric heaters and 55 per cent being connected to the central heating system. 

The issue of temperature is a big one for conservatories, with only one-fifth never being heated. However, this could be more due to households trying to save on their energy bills rather than the extension itself being warm.

Indeed, the average gas consumption for a house with a conservatory that is heated by gas is 18,200kWh, which is much higher than the 13,400kWh homes without conservatories tend to consume. 

This is likely to be down to poor energy efficiency of the room. For a start, the high number of windows means warm air has a greater chance of escaping during the colder months, requiring more energy input to keep the house at a reasonable temperature.

If the glass is not thermal-efficient, if the roof is made from polycarbonate plastic, or if there are lots of vents in the space, this will mean the conservatory could become very chilly in the winter.

Leaking water

Another problem that many conservatory owners experience is that of leaks. 

There are many reasons why your extension may have started leaking, including blocked guttering, cracked glass panes, dirt in the glass, slipped roof panels, issues with the flashing, swelling framework, damaged seals, gaps between the panels, poor-quality or worn out seals.

To stop the roof from leaking, first establish where the problem is coming from and then fix it at the source. After getting conservatory roof repairs, your leaks should come to an end and both the moisture and temperature in the room will be considerably improved.

Condensation

Condensation is also something many people with conservatories complain about. This can occur if there is a leak in the glass or the roof, as the temperature outside is a lot different to the conditions inside.

It can also happen if there is not enough ventilation in the conservatory, so it is essential to keep it well ventilated by opening windows, getting a dehumidifier, avoiding hanging up wet laundry in there, and not putting too many plants around.

If the problem persists, it could be worth getting double glazed windows or changing the roof to a polycarbonate one, as this can absorb moisture better.