Thinking about replacing your conservatory roof and considering the cheapest quote, please read on.
If something is too good to be true, it usually is.
That’s why we’ve taken the time to help you understand potential pitfalls within the replacement roof process and make an informed decision. If you’re wondering how much it costs to put a tiled roof on a conservatory, good quality tiled conservatory roofs are often more expensive than cheaper ‘Clad over’ alternatives. In this post, we explain the differences and why they are worth paying for.
1. Internal Clad over:
Adding an internal layer of insulation usually by attaching batons to the internal bars (screwing into and weaking), packing with insulation and boarding over with plasterboard.
2. External Clad over:
Timber batons or ply board is screwed to bars (screwing into and weaking again) glazing is seldom removed before imitation tiles are fitted to the timber. With little space for insulation the impact on thermal performance is the lowest of all these options.
3. External & internal Clad over:
This is a combination of 1 & 2 above, although glazing may be removed first. Plastic internal cladding is often used on this product because the structure can be susceptible to moisture ingress.
Things to consider
Weight:Clad over solutions can be too heavy for the existing frames as they use heavy timber, insulation materials and tiles. Any old conservatory needs to have a roof that is lightweight. The lightest solid roof systems weigh around 31KG/M ². Tip: Always ask your installer for the total weight of the new roof? Tiled roofs need to be stronger to prevent plaster cracking.
Structural integrity/Calculations: All conservatory roofs are originally designed to specifically work with glass or polycarbonate panels to withstand high winds and heavy snow loads and manage the resulting deflections. Solid roofs need to be much more rigid and so original bars and beams should always be removed and completely replaced to avoid leaks or cracked plaster. Tip: If in doubt request structural calculations for the roof. If this is a tried and tested system, these will be available.
Fire Safety:Clad over systems are never effectively fire-tested as the entire roof structure must be tested. The original structure varies from job to job which means that only the components could be tested. Solid roofs must be classified as AC, AB or AA in accordance with BS476-3. Tip: Ask to see the fire safety certificate of the entire roof system before you commit to the project, again, If this is a tried and tested system, these will be available
Building Regulations:Clad over systems do not generally get Building Regulation Approval due to their low thermal value or structural integrity. Do not confuse this with planning permission which is often not necessary. You are required to notify Building Control if you are making a change to any structure (including replacing a glass conservatory roof with a solid roof) who will ensure the new roof is structurally sound. Tip: Check that local Building Control has been informed before the conversion starts. Obtain a Building Regulations Conformance Certificate and file in a safe place. With Greenoak Concept & Design this is all taken care and dealt with by our trained office staff.
Payback on your investment:Only Building Regulation approved roofing systems will add value to your property because they officially recognise your new room as additional habitable living space adding to the saleable foot print. You must provide evidence of approvals during the conveyance process to ensure this value is added to the sale price. Tip: File your Building Regulations Conformance Certificate with the deeds of the house to pass onto the next buyer.
Warranty:Not all roofs are guaranteed, and not all guarantees are backed up with insurance to ensure a payout. Tip: Always ask for proof that your product has a fully transferrable guarantee for at least 10 years, manufactures warrantees, Part-P electrical certificates and building control, again everything you would come to except from Greenoak Concept & Design
Structural calculations:Any roof needs to be able to cope with extreme wind and snow loads which vary considerably by postcode. Some roofing systems use standard snow and wind loads which can be insufficient in some locations and some use none at all.
Fixings:Any existing conservatory roof has no obvious fixings for a clad-over solution and any drilling to the existing roof structure to create fixing points can adversely affect the original roof structure. Tip: Always ask your installer about the fixing method and how this affects the original structure in terms of weather proofing and product life.
Condensation:Using original aluminium bars and beams together with over-cladding carries a very real risk of condensation along the bars because there is no thermal barrier in place. This can result in damp, leaks, cracking plaster or electrical fire should you have spot light in your new clad over. Tip: Ask your installer to identify the thermal breaks in the roof.
Greenoak Concept & Design have been designing and installing with our chosen system “Supalite roofs” conservatory tiled roof in Essex for over 10 years. Supalite Roofing Systems roof have been engineered specifically to work as a replacement conservatory roof.
Greenoak Concept & Design Tiled Conservatory roof replacement gives you peace of mind when it comes to product quality, red tape and more importantly adding value to your home. Once, homeowners had the choice of either a conventional extension or a conservatory. But now with the Greenoak Concept & Design roofing system you have the choice of the combination of the two giving you the best of both worlds.
This provides you with a flexible and luxurious new living space for both new installations and conservatory replacement projects. The tiled light weight system is a truly multi-functional home extension, creating a pleasant and relaxing space or alternatively as a family room. The Supalite tiled conservatory system by Greenoaks combines the external look of a traditional tiled roof, mixing slimline design and minimal light weight tileds. The Supalite roof provides the look and feel of a solid roof extension, but has the capacity to integrate special shaped plaster boards into the design, creating a more unique, ‘hybrid’ internal ceiling along with new LED spot lights.
This creates something that is neither conservatory nor extension. It combines all the benefits of the former in terms of light and then fuses this with the solidity and feel of an extension. This effect can be played up or down depending on whether glazed walls or masonry walls are used.
The Greenoak concept & design Supalite roofing system can be used in a range of shapes from Victorian, Georgian, Lean-to and Gables. There is almost no limit to the design you can have. To further enhance the usability of the Supalite system down lighters and speakers can be built in to the plastered roof, so the homeowner can truly stamp their mark on this living space.
Top-tips for transforming your conservatory
Beware of low prices. If one quote is much lower than the rest, you may be inadvertently buying a Clad over roof. Ask for more details about the roof construction, Greenoaks always say, “cheap isn’t good and good isn’t cheap”.
Always compare roof weight, U-Values, plus wind and snow load tolerances across quotes.
Always ask to see a copy of your building regulations registration BEFORE the build starts. You will need this if you ever sell your house. You should always get emails from building control.
Plan to be at home during the installation, be vigilant and ensure all beams and bars are removed BEFORE any materials are added.
Do your research. Look for accreditations, endorsements and reviews.
Make sure you’re covered. Ensure your roof and the installation are both guaranteed and that the guarantees are backed up with insurance to ensure a payout should the worst happen.
