Roof work by McCluskey Roofing
Why people replace conservatory roofs
Most people who call us about a conservatory roof say the same thing: the room is unbearable in summer, freezing in winter and noisy when it rains. Polycarbonate sheets discolour and let in draughts as their seals age, and older glass roofs can leak at the bars and the wall junction.
Replacing the roof with a solid, insulated, tiled version is a way of turning the conservatory into a room you can use most of the year without tearing it down. Others simply want to replace a failing glass or polycarbonate roof with a new one. Both are reasonable choices, and the cost picture differs between them.
The main cost drivers
Size and shape come first. A small lean-to has fewer pieces and simpler junctions than a large Victorian or Edwardian style with several facets, or a P-shape or T-shape that combines different roof forms. More facets mean more cutting, more trims and more labour.
The condition of the frame and base matters a great deal. A solid roof is heavier than polycarbonate, so the frames, the cill and the base wall need to be in a fit state to carry it. If the frames have dropped, are out of square or are fixed to a weak base, there may be work to do before the roof can be changed.
Then there is the inside. Insulation, plasterboarding and a plaster finish turn the ceiling into a proper room. Lighting points, coving and decorating all add to the scope. Guttering and downpipes usually need renewing to suit the new roof, and many people add Velux-type roof windows or glazed panels to keep some natural light, each of which affects the total.
Solid or glass replacement
A like-for-like glass or polycarbonate replacement keeps the light and is generally a lighter structural load. It does less to change how warm or cool the room feels, although modern glass performs better than the sheets fitted years ago.
A solid tiled roof involves more materials and more work, including the internal finish, but it changes the feel of the room. Many people choose a solid roof with one or two roof windows or glazed sections as a middle ground. Comparing quotes is easier when you know which of these you are asking for.
Building regulations at a glance
Changing a translucent conservatory roof to a solid one can bring the work within the scope of building regulations, because it affects the structure and the thermal performance of the room. Whether approval is needed depends on the specifics of the conservatory and the work proposed.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check with your local authority building control team before work starts, and ask any installer how their system meets the relevant requirements. Our guide to planning permission and building regulations for roofing has more background.
What a site survey checks
A proper survey looks at the frames, cill and base, the condition and type of the existing roof, the wall junction with the house, the drainage and where the downpipes run. It also considers how the room is used and what you want from it.
On that basis, a quote can set out what is included and what is not. If anything cannot be confirmed until the old roof is removed, such as hidden damage to the wall plate, a good quote will say so.
Why quotes can differ
When you compare quotes, check that each one is for the same thing. One price may include plastering, guttering and roof windows, while another only covers the roof system itself. One may allow for remedial work to the frames, another may not mention it at all.
Lay the quotes side by side and list what each includes. Ask each installer about the roof system they use, how it is supported at the house wall and what the finished ceiling will look like. The cheapest figure is not always the lowest cost once extras are added, and the most expensive is not automatically the best. A clear, itemised scope is the fairest way to compare.
It also helps to think about how you plan to use the room. A space used as a dining room or home office may justify a fuller internal finish and better lighting than a room mainly used for storage or plants.
Getting a fixed quote
Ask for the quote in writing and check it covers the roof system, insulation, internal finish, guttering, any roof windows, waste removal and clearing up. Ask what happens if something unexpected is found, and how that would be priced.
We provide free quotes for smart conservatory roofs from our base in Wallsend across the areas we cover. Our wider guide to roof replacement cost explains how we approach quoting on main roofs too.