Did you know that approximately 18% of households in England have conservatories?
Conservatories have been a popular addition to homes in the United Kingdom and Ireland for many years. These versatile structures provide a seamless transition between the indoors and outdoors, making them ideal for a wide range of uses.
Whether you want to create a bright and airy living space, a comfortable dining area, or a tranquil garden room, a conservatory can be tailored to suit your needs.
However, most homeowners find their old, existing conservatories unusable. In the summer, conservatories can become too hot to use, while in the winter, they can be too cold.
The good news: replacing your existing roof can solve this problem.
In this blog, we’ll explore the different roofing options available, their pros and cons, and how to choose the right roof that suits your existing conservatory structure.
What is a conservatory roof made of?
There are four types of conservatory roof materials: glass, polycarbonate, tiled, and hybrid. Selecting the right roofing option plays a crucial role in controlling the temperature and amount of natural light that enters the space.
If you want to ensure that your conservatory remains functional, comfortable, and enjoyable throughout the year, here are some important details you to know:
Glass Conservatory Roofs
The most commonly used conservatory roof material is glass. It allows natural light to enter the conservatory, making it a bright and airy space while feeling connected to nature. If you pick a high-quality glass conservatory roof, you’ll have a strong and durable structure that can withstand the elements, such as rain, wind, and snow.
Compared to polycarbonate roofs, a glass roof is much more energy efficient, and opting for triple-glazed glass will help reduce heat escaping and lower your energy bills.
Glass roofs are very popular due to their appearance. A well-done glass conservatory will look sleek and modern, adding lots of value to your home.
However, during heavy rain and torrential downpours, the noise inside your glass conservatory can get extremely loud, forcing you to go back to your trusty old living room.
Glass conservatory roofs, while looking great, are also the most expensive option. The glass itself costs a lot and is more complicated and difficult to install. This will rack up the installation cost and take the installation company much longer to finish the job.
Polycarbonate Conservatory Roofs
The primary advantage of a polycarbonate conservatory roof is that it’s inexpensive and lightweight, making it easier to handle and install. It also offers impact resistance, which can protect from hail, children’s toys, and flying objects.
Additionally, polycarbonate roofs contain UV inhibitors that protect against the intensity of the sun’s rays, so you won’t need to worry about damaged furniture and flooring.
Polycarbonate roofing also offers insulation, which helps in retaining heat in the conservatory. However, the transparency of polycarbonate roofs is less than glass roofs, so it limits the amount of natural light that enters the conservatory.
Over time, polycarbonate conservatory roofs can become yellowed, which affects the conservatory’s appearance and the amount of natural light that enters it.
Similar to glass roofs, having a polycarbonate roof means that it can get very noisy inside your conservatory during heavy rain or strong winds. Polycarbonate roofing is also more prone to scratches than glass.
Durability-wise, polycarbonate roofs are not as durable as glass roofs or tiled roofs and can become brittle over time, especially in extreme temperature fluctuations in the UK and Ireland.
While beauty is subjective, many homeowners find polycarbonate roofs to be less visually appealing. This is partly because the design options for polycarbonate roofs are fewer and older compared to glass roofs, as they have become less popular over time.
For example, some homeowners may prefer the sleek, modern look of a glass conservatory roof, while others may find the more traditional look of a tiled conservatory roof more appealing.
Solid Conservatory Roofs or Tiled Conservatory Roofs
Among all conservatory roofing options, solid roofs or tiled roofs are the most durable and long-lasting. They can help to keep the conservatory warm in the winter and cool in the summer, making it a comfortable space to use all year round.
Solid roofs also provide a more traditional look and can blend in well with the rest of the house. The best part, this conservatory roof type requires minimal upkeep due to their high durability and dirt being less noticeable than on glass or polycarbonate roofs.
Having a solid tiled roof allows you to insulate the room by providing a barrier between the inside and outside. Since tiled roofs are thicker than other types of conservatory roof materials, they stop the heat from escaping.
Tiled roofs absorb and retain the heat that maintains the temperature inside the conservatory, keeping it warm in the winter months.
When you choose a solid roof, you now have lots of space to install foam insulation just like the main roof on your house. The foam insulation can be installed in the form of sheets, rolls, or sprays and it will be placed between the tiles and the roof structure. This extra layer of insulation helps to keep the heat inside the conservatory and saves you money on your electricity and heating bills.
Hybrid Conservatory Roofs
Hybrid roofs are a combination of different materials, such as glass, polycarbonate, and solid panels. They provide a balance of natural light and insulation.
The glass panels allow more natural light to enter the conservatory, while the solid panels provide thermal insulation to maintain the warm temperature and keep the conservatory usable all year round.
While hybrid roofs can be the most expensive conservatory roof option, they also provide a more modern and sleek look that lots of homeowners are after.
Hybrid conservatory roofs are customisable as they can be designed to meet your specific needs and style. This means that you can choose your preferred conservatory roof types and decide the amount of glass, polycarbonate, or solid panels that you want and have something truly unique.
However, keep in mind that you need to prepare a huge budget for a hybrid roof. The cost of the different materials and the complexity of the installation process can skyrocket your total conservatory roof replacement cost.
Do I need to change my conservatory roof?
Whether or not you need to change your conservatory roof depends on several factors. Some signs that it’s time for a conservatory roof replacement include:
- Leaks: A leak in your conservatory roof needs immediate repair as a small drip can escalate into costly and severe problems. It often occurs at corners or between glass or polycarbonate roof panels. Wear and tear is the most frequent cause of roof leaks in older conservatories, and prolonged exposure to severe weather can cause deterioration over time. Neglecting a leak can lead to the spreading of mould in your home.
- Age: If your glass or polycarbonate conservatory roof is more than 10-15 years old, you should consider replacing it with a tiled roof, as the materials may have reached the end of their lifespan. Solid conservatory roofs are more durable and can last over 50 years. Glass roofs can easily crack due to their brittleness, while polycarbonate roofs provide limited insulation.
- Poor sound insulation: The most common issue that homeowners have with a polycarbonate conservatory roof is that it isn’t soundproof. The sound of heavy rain and strong winds can be heard inside the conservatory, making it hard to relax.
- Low thermal efficiency: The UK is experiencing an energy crisis due to its heavy reliance on gas to heat homes and produce electricity. Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine caused a decrease in gas supplies in Europe. The IMF analysis in 2022 found that the average UK household is expected to lose 8.3% of its total spending power as a result of having to pay higher energy bills. Upgrading to a solid roof and insulating your conservatory can help you lower energy bills.
- Severe Damage: The roof is the most vulnerable part of any conservatory due to its exposure to external elements such as wind, rain, and bad weather. Polycarbonate roof material can deteriorate quickly and suffer weather damage leading to staining, resulting in an unattractive and ineffective roof. Meanwhile, glass roof material is prone to cracking, and falling broken glass panes can be very dangerous and lead to injuries.
- Aesthetics: If you’re looking to modernise your conservatory with a refreshed look, solid tiled roofs are your best conservatory roof option. You get to choose from a variety of tile colors, including titanium grey, rustic brown, and bramble brown.
Installing a new conservatory roof can be a significant investment depending on your chosen type of roof. It can be a great way to save money in the long run with the rising cost of heating and electricity and the ever-increasing cost of living since the pandemic.
Why replace your conservatory roof with tiled roofs?
To put it simply, the two main reasons for replacing your roof with a solid conservatory roof are: to keep the room at a nice, comfortable temperature all year round & to save money on heating bills.
As mentioned earlier, tiled conservatory roofs give you the best insulation and modern appearance at the lowest price. There are cheaper options like polycarbonate roofs, but the cost savings will quickly catch up as you spend a fortune trying to heat your home as your cheap roof leaks out all the heat you’ve generated.
People like the look of glass conservatory roofs, but if you upgrade from double glazing to triple glazing, a rough estimate would be that glass roofs are usually 30-50% more expensive than solid roofs. This is why tiled roofs are the most cost-effective option. Additionally, glass roofs often require more specialized installation techniques and may require additional structural support, which can add to the cost.
Going with a tiled roof means you’re going to enjoy the room all year round, so you can transform your room for a different purpose like extending your kitchen or getting an extra living room or a guest bedroom.
What are the different types of conservatories?
There are various architectural designs of conservatories. The most common conservatory styles are Victorian, Lean-To, Double-Hip, Edwardian, Gable, and ‘Lettered’ conservatories.
Victorian Conservatory
Victorian-style conservatories are a popular architectural design that is characterized by their use of ornate details, such as curved lines, pointed arches, and decorative glass. They were often built during the Victorian era in the 19th century and are typically used as an extension of a home, providing additional living space and a connection to nature. They often feature a pitched roof and a combination of glass and wood or other materials for construction.
Lean-To Conservatory
Lean-to conservatories, also known as Mediterranean or sunroom, are a simple and popular architectural design. They feature a single-pitch roof that slopes away from the main building and is typically made of a combination of glass and wood or other materials. They are popular due to their simplicity in installation and maintenance.
Double-Hip Conservatory
A double-hip conservatory has two sloping roofs that converge at the top, creating a distinctive and stylish appearance. These conservatories are commonly added to homes as a year-round living space. They offer more privacy due to their taller walls compared to other conservatory designs.
Edwardian Conservatory
Edwardian conservatories are a type of architectural design that features a rectangular shape and a pitched roof, characterized by a combination of straight lines and elegant symmetry. They were often built during the Edwardian era in the early 20th century and have a fair amount of natural light and space. They blend in with a variety of architectural styles and offer a good amount of privacy as the walls are usually higher than other types of conservatories.
Gable Conservatory
A Gable conservatory is a type of conservatory that features a peaked roof, which resembles the triangular shape of a gable on a house. This design allows for more headroom and natural light to enter the space, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. Gable conservatories can be made of various materials, such as wood, PVC, or aluminium, and can be customized to match your home’s style.
‘Lettered’ Conservatories (P-Shaped, L-Shaped, and T-Shaped)
A “lettered” conservatory refers to a conservatory that is shaped like the letter “P,” “L,” or “T.”
- P-shaped conservatories are a combination of a Victorian and a lean-to conservatory, which creates a “P” shape when viewed from above.
- L-shaped conservatories are a combination of two distinct sections that are joined to make an “L” shape.
- T-shaped conservatories are similar to L-shaped conservatories but with an additional section that makes the shape more like a “T” when viewed from above.
Pro tip: When choosing among different conservatory roof options, keep in mind that the floor plan of most conservatory styles is square or rectangular. Victorian and P-shaped conservatories are the only non-rectangular styles. The right replacement roof should fit the style of your existing conservatory structure.
Ready to upgrade to a tiled conservatory roof? Ultratherm has a team of conservatory roof conversion experts with over 20 years of industry experience throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.