Property/DIY
Changing polycarbonate roof in lean-to space, options and costs?
Katoosh · Yesterday 11:12
The house we want to buy has a lean-to space (not sure it can be called conservatory!) with a polycarbonate roof, which apart from being quite unsightly it also filters out a lot of the light - and I image isn't well insulated.
Has anyone had a similar thing updated, what are the options and rough costs? Wall on the right is the one that separates from the next house so I'd rather not touch it.
bellac11 · Yesterday 11:16
This looks like our utility room. It had plastic corregated roofing when we moved in with a big hole in it and doors that jammed front and back!
We have our washing machine, second fridge freezer and washing lines running front to back. We had kitchen units put along the side and a big butler sink
We opted for the poly carbonate but in hindsight, since having our conservatory done, I wish it was lovely blue glass like that. But in all honesty cant justify getting it done again, if I was starting from scratch I might do. Its much warmer anyway but then we also use the room as a cold store so its swings and roundabouts, it can get hot in the summer but luckily its quite shaded there so its not too bad, plus we have a roof vent
My parents have a 'sun room' with this awful roof, they paid quite a lot for the roof when it was re done but it would be much better with glass, as you say its dark and hot when hot, cold when cold.
It depends what you plan on using the room for?
Katoosh · Yesterday 11:25
Thanks for the reply @bellac11 , we'd use it as a utility the room pretty much the same way you described, so not a huge deal re insulation to be honest. It's mostly the light that I'm concerned about since it makes the dining room (window at the back) a bit darker than I'd light, so would be great to have something that lets more light through.
Not too bothered about changing the door either if we can leave it, since we'd have bifold doors put in the kitchen to go into the garden. No point in adding costs if not necessary, but not sure if we'd be able to put some double-glazing instead (if that's the other option?) without touching the rest of the structure too much.
bellac11 · Yesterday 11:49
I think it depends on a few things about the light
Do you use the dining room regularly
Is the lean to south facing
Is there a way it can be cleaned or is it not dirty, its simply too opaque?
I think weighing up the factors, plus the cost implications will direct you on the best choice. You dont want to spend money unnecessarily, equally a dark dingy room when you want light in there is a bit depressing
Our conservatory backs onto our dining room, which attaches to the kitchen so the only window to it now faces into the conservatory. I was worried it would make it dark, given its north facing. It doesnt at all, i was quite surprised, the conservatory is light and bright, mainly because I have put all white furniture in there along with a white jute rug (nearly white). Its light and bright and so the dining area hasnt been too affected and the roof is glass. It is really beautiful to be fair.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.