A solid conservatory roof will transform your conservatory into an all-weather room that can be used throughout the year. It also reduces noise and regulates the temperature making it more like an extension of your home.
Lightweight tiles are modelled on traditional roofing materials and come in a range of authentic colours and styles that will blend perfectly with your existing conservatory or the rest of your house. It will also add value to your property.
Insulation
A poorly insulated conservatory will be cold and draughty in the winter and unbearably hot in the summer. Sadly, many older conservatories have this problem with polycarbonate roof panels and glazing bars that allow heat to escape easily making your room uncomfortable and unusable for most of the year.
A solid roof, on the other hand, will drastically improve the thermal efficiency of your conservatory. This will enable you to use your conservatory for longer and avoid sweltering in summer and freezing in winter.
The insulation in your new conservatory roof will be rated with a U-value which indicates how efficiently it retains heat. A solid conservatory roof can offer a U-value of less than 0.15 which is significantly lower than the polycarbonate or glass options. This will dramatically increase the comfort level of your conservatory and also help reduce your energy bills. The best solid conservatory roofs will be able to be installed and made watertight in a matter of hours without replacing the existing windows, doors or base.
Aesthetics
In addition to saving on energy bills (and increasing resale value), solid conservatory roofs make a room that feels like a natural extension of the house. This makes them more useful and is one of the biggest selling points for a replacement conservatory roof.
A solid conservatory roof can be finished with a wide range of tiles, including Tapco’s synthetic slate and Metrotile in a wide variety of colours. This means that you can choose a finish that matches the style of your home and fits your tastes.
Some systems, like Ultraframe’s, have a coordinated aluminium ridge and capping for a sleeker look. They also offer a choice of fascia boards to match or contrast with the frames. All of this is available at a competitive price and is fully compliant with building regulations. As an added bonus, a replacement conservatory with a tiled roof will absorb noise better than polycarbonate or glass. This can be a real benefit in areas of the country with high levels of traffic and street noise.
Durability
A solid conservatory roof is far more durable than polycarbonate. This is because polycarbonate tends to degrade and become brittle over time, which can cause cracks in the seals and leaks. The roof tiles are made from a strong material and can last for many years with very little maintenance.
The tiles are available in a range of colours and styles to suit your home, so you can choose one that matches your current conservatory or blends in with your existing home. They also have plastered finishes that create the look of a traditional room and are easy to maintain.
A new replacement conservatory roof requires Building Regulations approval to ensure that the framework of your conservatory is able to support the weight of the new roof and any other features such as recessed lighting, plaster boarding or double glazed Velux windows. A good installer should be able to provide the required paperwork and a survey for you.
Maintenance
A conservatory roof replacement can significantly increase the value of your home. It transforms an existing conservatory into a room that can be used all year round, creating a space where you can relax or entertain guests.
The added layer of insulation in a tiled conservatory roof can greatly reduce heating costs during the winter. It can also help to regulate the temperature throughout the summer, making your conservatory more comfortable to use.
This is all down to the u-value of the materials used, the lower the u-value the better the material is at retaining heat and cutting energy bills. Glass and polycarbonate conservatories have a u-value of around 1.6 and 2.4 respectively, while solid roof conservatories can be made with a u-value as low as 0.15W/m2k.
Upgrading to a solid conservatory roof will usually require building regulation approval, as it is considered to change the structure of your conservatory. Your roofing installer can advise on the process and assist you in gaining the necessary permissions.