Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Replacing a conservatory roof to make it more useable in winter.

42 replies

Clevs · 21/04/2023 21:50

Has anybody done this?

We had a flyer in the postbox last week from a company offering to replace our conservatory roof to make it warmer in winter and cooler in summer - basically more useable.

We have a rep coming round tomorrow to measure up/quote and try to sell it to us but just wondering how effective it may be. If we get to next winter and it's still too cold in there to use, then what?

Any recommendations of firms/types of replacement roofs you've personally used and would recommend welcome. It just seems a wasted space in the winter as it's too cold in there for it to be used for its intended purpose (play room).

OP posts:
Thisbastardcomputer · 24/04/2023 23:04

We did it around 4 years ago, it's a large conservatory and I think it was £15k all in, plastering and electricals.

It's made a huge difference, I use it every day, leave an oil fired radiator on in winter, there's an air con unit in there which gets occasional use in the summer.

BlueMongoose · 25/04/2023 10:09

HVPRN · 22/04/2023 20:39

Our conservatory is fully glass with the sloping glass/guttering effect where you can hear the rain loud and proud. It is the length of our full back of house (quite big).

We were quoted £20,000 for a new pitched roof, quad bi-fold doors, new half bricked up all the way round, and take down of complete external back wall to make one big open kitchen. Essentially turning it into one big fancy useable space. No wiring or plastering included in this price (just the bare bones/foundation/roof and brickwork) as my husband would do the rest. Other quotes were about £25,000, £30,000. Our neighbours had theirs done for £32,000 and theirs look stunning.

For us, we decided as we had only been in the house a year (now two) we would not go ahead; we had other things we would much rather spend our money on.

HOWEVER due to having teenagers and needing a workable space for them, we framed up, insulated the ceiling & then my husband put the polycarbonate sheets up, then did the electrical work for lighting. We had a radiator added, track & thermal curtains added, and then had a dehumidifier popped in the room (takes the damp edge off/gets rid of condensation wonderfully).

It has proven to be a very workable space. Looks/feels really warm and cosy, surprised me really. Didn't think it would work this well. Another plus, our clothes dry quick in here too. We'll save up for the big job if we still want it in the future, but our set up works for us all.

uh-oh, you had a rad added? Is it just one you plug in to the electrical system, or is it now part of the house rad system? If the latter, you may have a planning issue right there, never mind the rest of it, unless you got planning/building regs involved.

AbbaG12 · 25/04/2023 10:30

Clevs · 24/04/2023 22:10

That's what we're going to do now I think. We didn't think it would be that expensive and the money would be put to better use making it into a proper room with a proper roof!

Show quote history

Adds value to the house too. Conservatories have a 10-25 year life. An extension is permanent. If you like having some light from the top, you can get some wonderful skylights now.

pinkbunnylugs · 13/05/2023 20:28

@Sarvanga38 do you have any pics? We are considering but worried about the reduced light. Our conservatory comes off our north facing kitchen, so at the moment provides lots of light..

Soundbathfan · 05/11/2023 17:59

How did you get on?
Anyone know if these need building regs? Seems a real grey area

Original poster
Clevs · 05/11/2023 21:19

Soundbathfan · 05/11/2023 17:59

How did you get on?
Anyone know if these need building regs? Seems a real grey area

We have decided to leave it for now. More important jobs to be done on the house!

OP posts:
pinkbunnylugs · 05/11/2023 21:34

We did ours! No regrets. WAY warmer in winter and cooler in the summer. Got a certificate from a private company, who informed the council. All good! Defo worth the cost

Soundbathfan · 05/11/2023 21:56

pinkbunnylugs · 05/11/2023 21:34

We did ours! No regrets. WAY warmer in winter and cooler in the summer. Got a certificate from a private company, who informed the council. All good! Defo worth the cost

What did you have done? Just a roof replacement or whole thing replaced?
Good to know it made a difference!!

pinkbunnylugs · 06/11/2023 07:46

Roof replacement with SuperLite. Cost around £15k inc two glass skylights. We are in the south too. Made a world of difference, it’s like an extension now. Our conservatory was only 11 years old so windows are good.

MissBridgetJones · 13/11/2023 21:42

Have a look at Supalite roofing system. Really happy with ours so far, this will be our first winter!

MissBridgetJones · 13/11/2023 21:45

Should have added it's a building regs compliant roof.

I'd steer well clear of replacing with essentially insulated panels, although I assume much cheaper.

Will happily send you photos.

anoldcharter · 14/11/2023 09:08

OvaHere · 22/04/2023 20:18

Reading the OP again I just want to say temper your expectations if you don't have radiators in there or under floor heating. It is so much better than before but the roof doesn't work miracles. Some winter heating will still be needed but the kids have used it as a TV room through the winter evenings by warming it up and wearing Oodies. With the old plastic roof nobody wanted to go in there during winter, even with a small heater.

agree with this - we had insulated ceiling and lightweight roof tiles put on ours (3mx2m and paid £4k although quotes varied from 4 - 18k) and it is wonderful in the summer, during the heatwave it was the coolest room in the house, but it is still cold in the winter, we have an electric heater in there, just put it on for 20mins or so and it warms it up, but it is still much colder than the rest of the house.

LindaDawn · 14/11/2023 10:08

RC1234 · 24/04/2023 22:38

We looked at it in 2020. It ranged frlm about £6k to 'wrap' the existing roof in insulation inside and out (materials looked cheap and it sounded structurally odd), £12k to replace the whole roof on existing structure with a solid roof, £18k new conservatory with glass roof (much better insulated than plastic roof), £24k for new conservatory with solid roof with 2 skylights. Given the age of the old conservatory (almost 20 years) we went for a new one with solid roof. The replacement roofs came with a 10 year guarantee but we were not sure our old one could cope with the extra weight of a solid roof for which it was not designed. Using the existing base saved us money.

May I ask if this new conservatory i dies not get too cold or hot?

newusern99 · 14/11/2023 10:10

It was 2014 but we had a large single storey extension with solid roof and velux for 20K. At 16K I would get quotes for a proper extension. I'd also get some builders to quote you to replace the roof. Companies that offer to replace the roof are probably charging you over the odds for the job.

JustWimpy · 14/11/2023 10:29

I'd get rid of it and repace with an extension that has proper foundations, roof with Velux windows etc. You could be throwing your money away on the roof fix that means it's still not a useable room as it lacks insulation. A lot if people won't buy houses with conservatories because of the hassle of knocking them and they often just block light from important rooms like the kitchen or living room.

Soundbathfan · 15/11/2023 09:26

Morning all, has anyone had this done on an old timber conservatory - so kept the glass and wood and added a new roof? Just wondering if it makes much difference in terms of heat loss!

Passedmysellby · 20/06/2024 11:13

Have transformed our conservatory by bricking up one wall and having a light, solid roof put on. It's been done for a year and we still haven't got the 40 year guarantee promised on final payment. Manufacturer says they only deal with trade and builder hasn't responded to any emails or phone calls. Ideas please!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page