Conservatory roof replacement guide – everything you need to know

We earn a fee for merchandise bought via some hyperlinks on this article.

Having a conservatory could be a priceless addition to your property. However like homes, the probabilities are it’s possible you’ll must deal with conservatory roof alternative ultimately.

The standard of the roof is integral to getting probably the most out of your conservatory. A dodgy roof might make your conservatory concepts really feel too chilly and draughty in winter months. And even worse, unbearably scorching and stuffy in the summertime. Both approach, changing its present roof often is the reply.

Stuart Walker, Head of Residing Areas, Tradelink agrees. ‘Altering the roof, he says, ‘can rework the house right into a room you’ll love’.

Conservatory roof alternative information

So how a lot will it value? For those who’re going to all that expense and trouble, is it going to be price it? Particularly when you’re simply going to interchange it once more a couple of years down the road.

On this information we’ll clarify the prices concerned – each money and time. We’ll stroll you thru the varied materials choices and enable you resolve whether or not in the long run it’s a undertaking price going forward with.

When to interchange a conservatory roof – indicators it’s time for a brand new one

‘In case your conservatory roof leaks or has cracks in it, then it’s time for a alternative,’ advises Jonathan Hey, CEO, Aliwood Roof Lanterns.

’Usually, conservatory roofs result in temperature-control difficulties, because the room turns into too scorching in the summertime and too chilly within the winter.’

‘How lengthy your roof lasts after its preliminary set up can range primarily based on the fabric and construct high quality’, explains Gian-Carlo Grossi, Managing Director, Roofing Megastore.

‘Even so,’ he provides, ‘while cleansing and upkeep will assist, all roofs will ultimately want changing. In some instances, like with polycarbonate, this could possibly be in as little as ten years.’

Over time, you’ll discover that sure issues which have been occasional develop into persistent. For those who solely often use your conservatory, you then is likely to be ready to place up with these niggling points. However ultimately, even the very best made conservatories will want some consideration.

‘The most typical causes are typically leaks and condensation,’ says Gian-Carlo. ‘While small situations may be repaired and patched, frequent points could be a message out of your roof that the supplies are beginning to deteriorate.

‘When this occurs,’ continues Gian-Carlo, ‘you might also begin to discover a rise in chilly draughts coming via (a typical downside with single glazing) in addition to mould development.’

A draughty conservatory could also be one of many components that discourage you from spending time within the house. ‘Many older glazed roofs don’t possess the insulating properties of extra fashionable supplies,’ provides Gian-Carlo. ‘For those who’re discovering {that a} conservatory will get far too scorching (or chilly) to comfortably spend any time in it, a alternative roof may also help’.

What are the advantages of changing a conservatory roof?

There are a selection of ways in which changing a conservatory’s roof will enhance its appear and feel. A few of these you’ll discover instantly. Whereas others will develop into extra obvious over time.

As backyard room concepts go, a conservatory is greatest used 12 months spherical so you may benefit from the view whereas protecting heat and dry or cool and shaded, regardless of the climate exterior.

One of many stuff you’ll discover immediately is the advance within the ambient temperature. ‘The foremost good thing about changing any older roof is the drastically lowered danger of leaks and condensation,’ says Gian-Carlo from Roofing Megastore.

‘If these have been frequent beforehand,’ he continues, ‘a brand new roof is maybe the best approach to make sure they don’t reoccur. Naturally, this may even assist to maintain mould away – not simply protecting your constructing secure however all the things saved inside as effectively.’

A brand new roof will enhance the room’s look, too. ‘Getting a conservatory roof alternative is an opportunity to replace and rework your residing house’, says Stuart from Tradelink.

‘A thermally-efficient glass roof lets the sunshine flood in while permitting you to benefit from the conservatory all 12 months spherical,’ continues Stuart. ‘A nice aspect impact of getting a thermally-efficient conservatory roof is that your new room will rely much less on your property’s heating system to generate heat. It could block the solar’s rays in the course of the summer season and forestall warmth loss at different instances.’

As for some other advantages, these will range relying on the standard and spec of the roofing supplies you select. ‘Double glazing or stable tiled roofs will drastically enhance your conservatory’s insulation and noise cancelling qualities,’ says Gian-Carlo. ‘They’re additionally far safer and, by extension, are likely to require far much less upkeep.’

Conservatory roof supplies

Choosing a conservatory roof alternative doesn’t essentially imply you need to change like-for-like. It might be greater than a decade since your conservatory was initially put in.

However roofing supplies and applied sciences have moved on apace lately. And there are many choices to be thought of to treatment particular points.

Broadly talking conservatory roof supplies may be cut up into three camps:

Glass

‘It’s nonetheless the most well-liked choice’, says Stuart from Tradelink. ‘Advances in glass know-how imply fashionable glass roofs may be very thermally-efficient protecting the house cooler in the summertime and hotter within the winter.’ Further self-cleaning coatings hold the roof wanting good for longer and make upkeep simpler.

Glass additionally lends itself effectively to small conservatory concepts because it retains the house feeling mild and vibrant. However a glass roof does current sure points. ‘Double glazed glass far out performs many options,’ says Gian-Carlo, ‘however it’s heavier and might not be appropriate for all constructions.’

Polycarbonate

‘Strong polycarbonate is nearly unbreakable’, explains Gian-Carlo. ‘It affords far higher power than multi-wall options, although they don’t essentially share of their insulating properties.’

‘Must you be upgrading from an previous glass roof,’ continues Gian-Carlo, ‘you might also discover polycarbonate choices that fit your present glazing bars – an effective way to save lots of early on.’

You might discover that there are different compromises to be made when you go for a Polycarbonate alternative roof. ’Polycarbonate is mostly the most cost effective choice,’ says Stuart Walker from Tradelink, ‘Nonetheless, a brand new Polycarbonate roof may be noisy when it rains, and safety just isn’t the very best.’

Strong roofs

The place aesthetics are involved, tiled roofs are additionally changing into a well-liked choice,’ says Gian-Carlo. ‘Not solely is there a good quantity of variation to select from together with metallic, artificial and tile impact sheets – all of those have a tendency to supply nice lifespans alongside their beautiful visuals although might require some alterations to your roof’s construction for them to be appropriate for set up.’

‘Choosing a light-weight stable roof turns a conservatory into an extension which really is an all-year-round house to make use of,’ agrees Stuart from Tradelink. ‘Simply watch out reducing off mild; not a lot within the conservatory itself as it can typically have a lot of glazing to the edges, however to the room it’s linked to. A stable roof additionally has higher soundproofing.’

There are professionals and cons that associate with every choice For example, fashionable conservatory concepts are likely to work greatest with glass roofs. However in lots of instances, taking a hybrid method to supplies used is one thing lots of people at the moment are choosing.

Roof lanterns are one such choice as Jonathan from Aliwood explains. ‘The advantages of changing a conservatory roof with a roof lantern are that the room shall be a extra snug temperature year-round, via using solar-control glass.’

‘A roof lantern, he continues ‘may even cut back the noise on the roof in comparison with a standard conservatory. They’re usually extra aesthetically pleasing, carry out higher, don’t leak and provide higher longevity.’

‘A extra modern house may be created utilizing hybrid glass and stable panels,’ suggests Stuart. ‘It affords the proper mix of permitting a light-weight house, with increased thermal effectivity.’

Changing a glass conservatory roof

In contrast to find out how to clear a conservatory roof, for replacements you need to at all times make use of the companies of an appropriately skilled skilled.

The precise set up course of itself will range relying on the design and particular building of your conservatory. Earlier than any selections are made on the kind of roof and design, have an appraisal of the present construction. This can inform what roofing choices could also be out there to you – and what supplies to go for.

‘It is best to first think about the situation of the frames that are going to help the brand new roof’ says Stuart from Tradelink. ‘The roof and frames have been in all probability put up on the identical time and roof know-how has improved over the previous few years. Usually, the frames can have been extra protected, so will in all probability be in higher situation than the roof.’

Subsequent, work out what materials to make use of. ‘Contemplate what sort of glass or polycarbonate is greatest, contemplating your conservatory and finances’ says Gian-Carlo from Roofing Megastore.

‘Double glazing and stable polycarbonate are sometimes the popular decisions, ‘ he explains, ‘however there are numerous different components to think about together with whether or not your glass is customary, self-cleaning, or photo voltaic managed. Such added options can drastically cut back upkeep wants and glare.’

For those who resolve to go along with a glass alternative roof, there are numerous choices.

‘There are many sorts of glass out there with varied tints and colors’ says Stuart from Tradelink. ‘In case your conservatory is north-facing, it’s possible you’ll wish to enable the utmost quantity of sunshine and heat in. If it’s south-facing it could be necessary to cut back as a lot of the solar’s glare as you may.’

Changing a conservatory roof with a stable roof

For many individuals with conservatory extension concepts, the upkeep and different associated points of getting a glass or polycarbonate roof imply that they resolve to interchange it completely with a stable roofing construction.

One of many largest promoting factors of a stable conservatory roof alternative is the variety of choices out there,’ says Gian-Carlo from Roofing Megastore. ‘These embody metallic, artificial and tile impact. All of that are comparatively easy to put in and provide very good ranges of safety. Most tiles may be put in onto pre-existing conservatories. Although you’ll doubtless first must have your roof surveyed to make sure it’s appropriate.’

‘Alternative stable roofs are light-weight however can nonetheless weigh greater than the present roof,’ warns Stuart from Tradelink. ‘It’s doubtless {that a} stable roof will want structural help through the frames. In case your present conservatory is lower than ten years previous, the frames ought to have the ability to help the brand new roof. That is as they need to have reinforcement in them or be linked along with structural couplers. The presence of metallic reinforcement may be checked with a magnet. Further help within the type of new frames could also be required.’

Whereas the construction and frames could also be sufficiently robust, you also needs to examine what’s occurring on the base of your conservatory.

‘The present foundations additionally have to be able to supporting the extra load,’ continues Stuart. ‘Indicators of cracking or the bottom coming away from the home, could also be a sign that the muse is simply too shallow. That needs to be investigated at an early stage.’

Do I would like planning permission?

Based on authorities pointers, conservatory planning permission might be required when:

• You construct one thing new
• Make a significant change to your constructing, resembling constructing an extension
• Change using your constructing

So within the occasion of you having to interchange the roof of your conservatory, must you search planning permission?

Not at all times, advises Gian-Carlo from Roofing Megastore. ‘Most glass and polycarbonate conservatories shall be exempt from constructing rules. Due to this fact you’ll not want planning permission when changing their roofs.’

‘In case your conservatory is at floor stage with a ground space of lower than 30m²,’ he continues. ‘Or if thermally separated from your property with partitions and doorways and has impartial heating system then try to be superb to go forward along with your undertaking.’

Issues do get a little bit extra sophisticated once you change from a glass or polycarbonate roof to a stable one. Gian-Carlo suggests ‘in case you are upgrading to a stable roof then it’s completely attainable that your conservatory could also be re-classed as a “everlasting extension” which can want planning permission.’

In any case, it’s at all times advisable to examine along with your native planning authority or the Planning Portal when planning any work.

How lengthy does it take to interchange a conservatory roof?

Understanding the timescale of any structural undertaking you’re about to undertake is essential. The integrity of your property shall be altered in the course of the time that work is going down. And you’ll have to make allowances for this in your regular family routine.

There may additionally be safety implications and different issues that associate with a part of your property being uncovered to the weather.

The timescale very a lot will depend on the character of the work scale of the undertaking.

‘Assuming your supplies have been sourced, a whole alternative can take wherever between two to 5 days,’ says Roofing Megastore’s Gian-Carlo. ‘Probably longer if upgrading to a stable roof and if any plastering or electrical work must be undertaken.’

Earlier than you begin, ensure you get an approximate timescale agreed with these endeavor the work earlier than the undertaking commences. This fashion you’ll ensure that issues aren’t left insecure and open to the climate any longer than is critical.

How a lot does conservatory roof alternative value and is it price it?

Whether or not or not you choose to interchange your conservatory roof and the supplies you employ to do it can usually come right down to value. Cheaper choices will include compromise – each in aesthetic, high quality of construct and sturdiness.

Prices do range. ‘These embody the dimensions of your conservatory, the supplies you’ve chosen to interchange your roof with in addition to labour,’ explains Gian-Carlo from Roofing Megastore. ‘Your location and situation of your conservatory additionally play a job, too. With all these components thought of the prices can vary wherever between £2,000 to £9,000 for the typical construct.’

Stuart from Tradelink provides ‘Whereas glass roof replacements usually value between £2,500 and £8,500, stable roof variations value double.’

‘Our roof lanterns begin at £1,250,’ says Jonathan from Aliwood. ‘In case your roof is underperforming and also you wish to take advantage of out of the room then that is price it; a roof lantern may additionally add worth to your property, showcasing a extra fashionable tackle roof glazing.’

‘Whether or not it’s price it relies upon completely on what you’ll be able to make investments,’ says Gian-Carlo. ‘Through the use of high quality supplies, resembling double glazing and putting in some insulation, conservatories may be made fairly power environment friendly.’

‘There’s additionally the matter of added worth to your property,’ he provides. ‘With a top quality conservatory ready so as to add round 7% to the ultimate promoting worth. Most of all nevertheless, a conservatory’s price may be ascertained by how usually it’s used. All roofs will ultimately want changing. So when you use your conservatory rather a lot, it’s price spending a little bit extra to get much more out of it.’

How lengthy will a brand new roof final?

Allowing for the complexity and price of changing a conservatory roof you’ll wish to ensure that it’s going to be sufficiently long-lasting to make the undertaking worthwhile.

Aside from high quality and workmanship, a roof’s sturdiness very a lot will depend on the kind of materials used. Plus the actual choices you resolve so as to add to that individual roofing sort.

‘Most polycarbonate roofs have a life expectancy of round 10 to fifteen years,’ explains Roofing Megastore’s Gian-Carlo. ‘Glass performs higher with many anticipated to final from 20 to in extra of 30 years, with little discolouration. It’s stable tiled roofs, nevertheless, which are probably the most sturdy. Tile impact and artificial choices usually clock in effectively previous the 40 12 months mark. Most metallic tiles nonetheless performing effectively after half a century.’

Phrases/Douglas Rankine