Buyer's guide - making your conservatory usable again
A lot of UK homeowners have a conservatory they stopped using. Too hot in July. Too cold in January. Too noisy when it rains. Too faded from years of summer sun. The good news is you do not have to knock it down. A new roof on the old walls gives you back a real room for a fraction of the cost of a full extension. Here is how it works.
Why the roof is nearly always the problem
Most 1990s and 2000s conservatories were sold with polycarbonate roofs. Polycarbonate has almost no insulation value. It lets summer heat in and winter heat out. It also amplifies rain noise like a drum. The walls and base of most conservatories are perfectly fine - brick below a dwarf wall, aluminium or uPVC frames above, good quality glass. Swap the roof and you have a proper room again.
Three roof options
A fully tiled replacement roof uses lightweight composite tiles over a structural aluminium frame, insulated to Part L and plastered underneath. You get a proper vaulted ceiling inside, solid to look at, silent in the rain, and warm in every season. A glass lantern replacement uses argon-filled insulated double-glazed units in a thermally broken aluminium frame. It keeps the light and opens the view to the sky while dropping the U-value from about 2.8 down to 1.0. A hybrid combines both - a tiled perimeter with a central glass lantern for the best of both.
Which option suits you?
If the conservatory faces south and cooks in summer, go tiled. You can always add small Velux skylights for natural light. If it faces north and is already dark, go glass lantern to maximise the light. If it is east or west facing and you love the sky view, go hybrid.
Do I need planning permission?
Most conservatory roof replacements fall under the Class 7 exemption in the Building Regulations. That means no planning permission as long as the conservatory itself was legally built and the footprint does not change. We always verify with your local authority first to be safe.
How long does it take?
A typical 3 m by 4 m conservatory takes 2 to 4 days on site depending on roof type. Tiled roofs are slightly longer because of the internal plastering. Glass lanterns can often be fitted in 1 day once delivered. We coordinate every trade - structural checks, roofers, plasterers, electricians - so you only talk to us.
What about the existing walls?
In 95 percent of cases we keep the existing walls and windows. They are fine structurally and any thermal weakness is mostly in the old roof. On the rare occasion the walls have decayed we can price rebuild options as part of the visit.
What about the ceiling inside?
A tiled replacement roof has a fully plastered vaulted ceiling inside, ready to paint. We install LED spotlights as standard - usually 4 to 8 depending on room size - plus an optional loft hatch for cable runs. Cornicing, skirting returns and decorative trims are all possible.
How much does it cost?
Tiled replacement roofs start from about £6,500 for a small lean-to conservatory up to £15,000+ for larger P-shape and gable-front roofs, fully installed and plastered. Glass lanterns start lower for the glazing unit but the price depends heavily on size and lantern complexity. Hybrid sits in between. We give fixed written quotes with no hidden extras.
What happens next?
Book a free site visit using the form above. We arrive with laminate samples of the tile roof system, printed photos of recent jobs, and the iPad portfolio. We measure everything, talk through options with you, and give you a written quote in the same visit or within 24 hours. Nothing to pay until you sign the order.
