Conservatory with solid roof

[Butwhhhyyyyyyy]

We would like an extension but can't afford it, so we are thinking of a conservatory with a solid roof, are they useable all year round if it has a radiator in there, anyone have one?

Anyone?

You can get glass roofs that keep the heat in and with a film coating will keep the sun out. We very nearly got rid of our conservatory due to it being too hot/too cold/too light, but replaced the plastic roof with glass and it's now usable all year round.

That's great, thanks

Friends of ours have a "garden room" like this and I want one! It's about 2ft brick then huge Windows all around, solid roof with sky lights. It's always been ok in winter, a little on the cold side but not unusable. (Great for indoor gym!) And then in the heat wave it was almost unbearable but they have a little aircon unit that can be turned on which saved them during that time. Although it's expensive to run the aircon, it's only needed for a few days in the year really in a heat wave, otherwise you can keep the French doors to the garden open etc to let in a cool breeze.

The solid roofs aren’t cheap either... we upgraded our roof to glass last year for about £5k. To go solid would have been more than £10k then you’ve got the costs of the actual conservatory build too.

I would get a quote for both an extension and conservatory before deciding as there may not be much in the price.

Thank you, I think I will get a price for both and see what the difference is

I would strongly suggest underfloor heating if you want to use it all year round. If you get a solid roof, get sky lights. With a glass roof check where the sun is in the summer of it may be too hot and unusable. A decent conservatory isn’t cheaper than an extension if it’s going to be a proper usable room. They need foundations, walls or a frame, windows, glass and a roof structure. You are just replacing bricks or blocks with glass and thermal glass isn’t cheap. If you have a cheap throw up one you are wasting your money.

I'm not 100% sure but please look into whether you need planning permission for a conservatory with a solid roof as it will no longer be a temporary structure

We have a glass roof conservatory as mentioned by pp. it is useable all year as long as you have decent blinds and a radiator:

I love it. Especially at this time of year. My house is north facing so the front is freezing but it's lovely at the back where the conservatory is.

The roof and blinds were ££££ but worth every single penny!

As already said, it would be wise to consult your local planning department before going ahead. They may view a conservatory with a solid roof as an extension and that may need planning permission and building regs approval.