One of the most common questions we receive is: “Will I be able to use my conservatory all year round?” Many people assume glass rooms become too hot in summer and too cold in winter. Older conservatories with standard glazing suffer from extreme temperature swings, glare, and UV damage.
The short answer is yes — provided you choose the right glazing technology. For decades, conservatories have had a reputation as being either baking hot in summer or freezing cold in winter, making them unusable for much of the year. This is largely due to outdated single-glazed or basic double-glazed units that lack solar control and proper thermal insulation. But modern advances in glass technology have completely changed the game. At Room Outside, we developed New Generation Glass (NGG) to address exactly these issues, ensuring your glass extension becomes a comfortable, usable living space every single day of the year.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain how NGG works, why it outperforms every other conservatory glass on the market, and how you can transform your existing conservatory or plan a new glass extension that you’ll love year-round. We’ll also cover heating options, building regulations, and real-world results from our customers.
🏠 The Problem with Traditional Conservatory Glass
Traditional conservatory glazing — especially that installed before 2010 — typically uses standard double glazing designed for vertical windows, not for roof applications. This glass has a high solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), meaning it lets in a large amount of infrared radiation. In summer, this turns your conservatory into a greenhouse, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C (104°F). In winter, the same glass allows heat to escape rapidly, leading to cold drafts and condensation. Additionally, standard glass offers little UV protection, causing your furniture, carpets, and flooring to fade within months.
Many homeowners have tried to mitigate these issues with blinds, awnings, or even replacing the roof with a solid tiled roof. But blinds block the view, and a solid roof defeats the purpose of a glass extension — you lose the connection with the outdoors. The real solution lies in solar control glass that works intelligently: reflecting summer heat while retaining winter warmth.
🌟 New Generation Glass: The Breakthrough
Room Outside introduced the UK’s first advanced solar-controlled glass (Wonderglass™) from the USA back in 1999. Since then, we have continuously developed the technology. Today, our New Generation Glass (NGG) represents the pinnacle of conservatory and orangery glazing. Here’s what makes it different:
🔆 Solar Control Coating
A multi-layer Low-E (low emissivity) coating is applied to the glass surface. This coating reflects long-wave infrared radiation (heat) back to its source. In summer, it bounces solar heat away from the room; in winter, it reflects interior heat back inside. The result: a stable, comfortable temperature year-round.
🛡️ Warm-Edge Spacer Bars
Standard double glazing uses aluminium spacer bars, which are highly conductive and create a thermal bridge around the edge of the glass. Our warm-edge spacer bars are made from materials up to 950 times less conductive than aluminium. This eliminates cold edges, reduces condensation, and significantly improves the overall U-value.
🎈 Argon Gas Fill
The cavity between the two glass panes is filled with argon gas, which is denser than air and a poor conductor of heat. This increases thermal insulation by reducing convective currents within the cavity.
💧 Self-Cleaning Technology
Our glass features a hydrophilic coating that causes water to sheet evenly over the surface, washing away dirt. Rain then rinses the glass clean, keeping your conservatory roof looking pristine with minimal maintenance.
86%
of solar heat reflected
U‑value <1.0
superior thermal insulation
950x
less conductive spacer bar
❄️ Winter Performance: Warm When You Need It
In the colder months, NGG works to keep your conservatory cosy. The Low-E coating reflects radiant heat from your radiators or underfloor heating back into the room, rather than letting it escape through the glass. The argon gas fill and warm-edge spacers dramatically reduce conductive heat loss. Many of our customers report that their conservatory stays 5–8°C warmer in winter compared to standard double glazing, without increasing heating bills.
We recommend pairing NGG with an efficient heating source. Underfloor heating is ideal for glass extensions because it provides gentle, even warmth without taking up wall space. Alternatively, modern electric radiators or a wood-burning stove can also work well. Because NGG retains heat so effectively, you’ll find you need less heating overall.
☀️ Summer Performance: Cool and Glare-Free
Summer is where NGG truly shines. The solar control coating reflects up to 86% of the sun’s infrared radiation, preventing your conservatory from overheating. At the same time, the glass allows visible light to pass through, so you still get a bright, airy space — but without the oppressive heat. In independent tests, a conservatory fitted with NGG remained 12–15°C cooler than one with standard glass on a 30°C day.
Glare is also significantly reduced. The coating cuts down on harsh reflections, making it comfortable to watch television or work on a laptop even in direct sunlight. And because NGG blocks over 99% of harmful UV rays, your furniture, artwork, and flooring will not fade — preserving the beauty of your interiors for years.
📐 Planning a New Glass Extension or Upgrading an Existing One
If you’re planning a new conservatory, orangery, or glass box extension, specifying New Generation Glass from the outset is the smartest decision you can make. It will add only a modest premium over standard glass but will transform the usability of the space. Our design team will work with you to create a bespoke structure that complements your home, handles any planning considerations, and maximises the benefits of NGG.
For those with an existing conservatory that is too hot or too cold, you don’t need to rebuild. We can retrofit NGG into your current roof and windows, often without changing the frame. This is a cost-effective way to breathe new life into an underused space. The installation is typically completed in a few days, with minimal disruption. Thousands of homeowners have already transformed their conservatories from “seasonal sun traps” into year-round living areas.
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📋 Building Regulations & Energy Efficiency
All our New Generation Glass installations meet or exceed the requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations (conservation of fuel and power). For new conservatories and orangeries, the glazing must achieve a certain thermal performance to comply. NGG’s U-value below 1.0 comfortably satisfies these standards. In fact, it’s so efficient that many local authorities accept it as an exemption to certain heat loss calculations, simplifying the approval process.
Additionally, NGG contributes to your home’s overall energy efficiency rating (EPC). A well-insulated glass extension can actually improve the energy performance of your home by reducing draughts and providing passive solar gain in winter. Combined with good quality frames (UPVC or thermally broken aluminium), you’ll have an extension that is both beautiful and sustainable.
For more information on energy ratings and building control, you can refer to the UK Government’s guide to conservatory building regulations or consult our team for specific advice on your project.
💬 Real Customer Experiences
Don’t just take our word for it. Hundreds of homeowners have already transformed their conservatories with NGG. Here’s what they say:
“We used to avoid our conservatory from May to September because it was unbearably hot. After Room Outside replaced the roof with New Generation Glass, we use it every single day — even in the heatwave. The difference is night and day. Highly recommended!”
— The Harris family, Surrey
🔧 Additional Tips for Year-Round Comfort
While NGG handles the heavy lifting, you can further enhance comfort with a few simple additions:
- Underfloor heating – Provides gentle, even warmth without radiators.
- Thermal blinds – Optional for extra insulation on very cold nights (though rarely needed with NGG).
- Ventilation – Trickle vents or roof vents help circulate air on mild days.
- External shading – Deciduous trees or a pergola can provide additional summer shade, but NGG already reduces heat drastically.
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