Are you planning on fitting a brand new conservatory roof? In our cost guide, we'll take a look at how much you'd probably spend depending on the type, whether for a Victorian conservatory, lean-to-conservatory or Edwardian conservatory.
If you're planning to have your conservatory roof replaced, the following article will prove very useful. This job involves removing the current roof of a conservatory and replacing it with a fresher alternative.
Often it is done when a conservatory roof is beyond repair. Replacing a conservatory roof is also popular as it can bring down heating costs, provide authentic aesthetics, improve natural lighting, and it may even restore value to the conservatory. Let's now take a look at the various conservatory roof replacement prices.
The average cost to replace a conservatory roof is £2300 to £5000. As you can see, there is a substantial range for the price estimate of this work as it can vary depending on the type and size of the roof replacement.
We'll start by looking at the cost of a lean-to conservatory roof replacement. To have a 2.4m x 3m polycarbonate lean-to conservatory roof replaced would land around £2000 to £2600. For a 3x3m option of the same material and roof type, expect the cost to rise to £2400 to £3000 or £2600 to £3200 should it be 3m x 3.5m.
For the same type of conservatory but for a roof made with glass, a 2.4m x 3m replacement would cost about £2000 to £2900, with the cost rising to around £2450 to £3200 for a 3x3m replacement or £2500 to £3500 in the case of a 3 x 3.5m roof change.
If you have a Victorian conservatory, the conservatory roof replacement cost for a polycarbonate roof will set you back by £3000 to £4000 for a 3x3m option, £4200 to £5350 for a 4x4m roof or £6000 to £9000 if the roof is 5x5m.
Go with a glass option and the replacement conservatory roof cost for this type is about £3000 to £4200 if it is 3x3m, £4500 to £6000 should it be 4x4m, or £6000 to £8500 to replace a 5x5m roof.
In terms of an Edwardian conservatory roof, a 3x3m polycarbonate replacement would cost £3400 to £3600, with the cost rising to £4600 to £5000 for a 4x4m replacement, and about £6500 to £6700 should you need a replacement conservatory roof that is 5x5m in size.
In the case of a glass Edwardian conservatory roof replacement, the cost lands around £3700 to £3900 for a 3x3m replacement, £5100 to £5500 for a 4x4m replacement, or as much as £7100 to £7300 in the case of a 5x5m roof. A roof lantern will probably cost £2000 to £3000, and a tiled roof might cost between £4000 and £6000.
The labour cost alone will come to roughly £300 to £500 a day. The supply costs could end up between £2000 and £8500 for a glass or polycarbonate roof, but glass roofs tend to cost more in general.
There are many factors that can shape the overall cost of having a conservatory roof replaced. Aside from those already discussed, ease of access, the size and type roof (so not just the size/type of conservatory) and where you are located will play a role.
Throughout the UK, contractors charge different amounts due to the varying regional rates. For instance, labour rates are generally highest in London and the southeast of England but significantly lower in Newcastle or Belfast areas.
| Type of Roof/Material | Size | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Lean-to (Polycarbonate) | 2.4m x 3m | £2000 to £2600 |
| 3 x 3m | £2400 to £3000 | |
| 3 x 3.5m | £2600 to £3200 | |
| Lean-to (Glass) | 2.4m x 3m | £2000 to £2900 |
| 3 x 3m | £2450 to £3200 | |
| 3 x 3.5m | £2500 to £3500 | |
| Victorian (Polycarbonate) | 3m x 3m | £3000 to £4000 |
| 4 x 4m | £4200 to £5350 | |
| 5 x 5m | £6000 to £9000 | |
| Victorian (Glass) | 3m x 3m | £3000 to £4200 |
| 4 x 4m | £4500 to £6000 | |
| 5 x 5m | £6000 to £9000 | |
| Edwardian (Polycarbonate) | 3m x 3m | £3400 to £3600 |
| 4 x 4m | £4600 to £5000 | |
| 5 x 5m | £6500 to £6700 | |
| Edwardian (Glass) | 3m x 3m | £3700 to £3900 |
| 4 x 4m | £5100 to £5500 | |
| 5 x 5m | £7100 to £7300 | |
| Roof Lantern | N/A | £2000 to £3000 |
| Tiled Roof | N/A | £4000 to £6000 |
This section will break down the various roof types based on materials rather than the actual conservatory type itself. These types include those already mentioned, namely glass and polycarbonate, but there are also tiled roofs and roof lanterns. Let's take a look at the features, pros & cons and costs of these roofs.
The main advantage of using a glass roof is how much light it will allow into your conservatory. It is the perfect choice for creating a bright, vibrant environment. Glass roofs are also long-lasting, strong, and add a terrific aesthetic all round. So, it's no wonder they are the most popular choice.
With that being said, glass roofs can make a conservatory too hot during the warmer months while also acting as inadequate insulation against the winter's cold weather.
This option is also more expensive than other roofs such as polycarbonate. On average, glass roofs tend to cost about £300 to £900 more than a polycarbonate alternative depending on the size.
✔ Brighten up a conservatory with plenty of light
✔ Long-lasting
✔ Wonderful aesthetic
✖ More costly than other choices
✖ Rooms can get very hot in the summer and especially cold during the winter months
These are architectural elements that exist as a section of a larger roof structure. They are designed to let light into the conservatory space beneath. You will generally find roof lanterns in the form of a skylight structure. Roof lanterns can often be customised based a homeowners preferences.
In addition, they tend to consist of an aluminium structure which will add strength and firmness. Heat loss during cold periods and too much warmth in the summer is also a problem with roof lanterns. Roof lanterns tend to cost around £2000 to £3000.
✔ Improves natural light
✔ Customisable
✔ Made from aluminium
✖ Heat loss or too much warmth
✖ Difficult to clean
✖ Replacement glass conservatory roof is relatively costly
If you avail of a polycarbonate roof, in general, you will pay less for a roof of a given size than if you were to go with a glass option. However, costs can still vary greatly, ranging from £2000 to as high as £8500.
Polycarbonate is still a durable and robust choice though it may develop grime unless looked after properly. Further, it does not offer the same aesthetic value as a glass roof would.
✔ Strong
✔ Resilient
✔ Polycarbonate conservatory roof replacement is generally cheaper
✖ Does not offer the same aesthetic value as glass
✖ Grime can accumulate with time
For a more contemporary option, you should consider a tiled roof. However, this will alter the conservatory's aesthetic and leave it looking more like a generic house extension than a conventional conservatory. So, why choose a tiled roof? It may simply be more in line with your preferences. For instance, a tiled roof can make the conservatory blend in with the property better.
What's more, it also avoids the heating and coldness issues associated with a glass roof. In total, the conservatory tiled roof replacement is around £4000 to £6000.
✔ Durable
✔ Strong
✔ Blends with the property
✔ Avoids overheating in the summer or letting in too much cold during the winter
✖ Removes the traditional conservatory aesthetic
✖ Particularly expensive
For starters, you'll need to decide what type of roof you'd like whether it be one made of polycarbonate, glass or an option that comes in the form of a tiled roof or roof lantern. Consider the pros & cons listed in the previous section and of course, take into account what would be the most suitable choice for your conservatory.
Once you come to a decision, you'll need to find the right contractor for the job. You could ask your friends or family for some suggestions or alternatively take a look online, such as by Googling 'Roofers near me'.
On the day that the work begins, the old roof will need to be removed first and foremost. The gaskets will need to be taken out as well as the end caps that cover the bars. Then the actual bar cap can be removed before the panels can be taken out one at a time.
The process of fitting the new roof will vary depending on the type. For instance, with a roof lantern, there are various sections, including the lantern part and the larger roof. In general, though, the first step of fitting a new conservatory roof will involve adding the first ring beam section into the right position. The remaining ring sections should be joined with steel cleats.
The ring beams should be added to the window frames within the actual windows. Self-tapping screws may be employed for this part. There should be a distance no greater than 600mm between each screw. Several studs and single studs will then be needed along the variable support of the ring beam. They must be fitted individually.
The nylon thread bar must be installed to the spider bracket from the level of the floor. The ridge glazing trim and variable support must be fitted within the ridge also. Double studs can now be added along with the variable support in the case of a rafter and single studs for the gable rafter being dealt with.
The assembled ridge should then be brought up to the right positioning and held up temporarily. The gable rafters and rafter gutter needs to be installed loosely to the ring beam and ridge. The hips must then be added to the spider bar moulding. Next, add the hips to the ring beam by utilising single studs. The middle of the spider rafters stud hole should be matched up with the hips' central point. The grub screws may now be tightened.
The gable rafters then need to be fixed to the wall using the right fixings. At least three places should be used for each rafter. The eaves beam seal should be cut to length and added to the ring beam variable support. It's vital that no protective tape is removed yet. Then, lead flashing should be added within the wall rafter gutter. It's essential that the flash is not applied around the ridge at this stage.
An end cap and glazing stop need to be added to the glazing bars using screws. The glazing end trim can be added to the glazing. In the case of polycarbonate roofing, this is where the protective film can be peeled back. This is important for fitting the end trim. An appropriate sealant should be used to seal the end trim. The glazing should start with those sitting on a given hip, and then you can move along from there. The glazing panel needs to be slid onto the rafters or hips and into the glazing trim if required.
By now, you may take away the protective tape from the eaves beam seal. The glazing sheet should also be pulled back to the glazing stop. Place it onto the seal. The tape film needs to be pulled back by around 2.5-5cm before being folded to the internals of the conservatory. The glazing must be sealed down on the glazing stops. The tape film can then be peeled away before you or the contractor presses down the glazing from an outside point. As soon as the glazing is in the right place, it will be time to fit the hip top caps.
They must be adjoined to the ridge end sealing assembly. Fit the assembly. A continuous gap filler bead must be applied to any places of the ridge flashing trim in which the top cap is to be placed.
Next, add the ridge top cap before sliding the trim onto the top cap. The gap filler should be added in the same way on the other side of the ridge top cap. Add the ridge edge end top cap here also before securing it with poly top screws in both places.
A silicone sealant is needed for the ridge areas in which flashing trim adjoins the wall. Then the assembled ridge top cap should be added over the ridge. The remaining lead flashing should be added around the flashing trim of the ridge. Lastly, add the final and crestings on the ridge channel.
While you could perform this work as a DIY project, as you can tell from step three of the previous section, it is a complicated job. So, generally, it is best to hire a professional. However, if you feel you have enough experience with similar DIY work and precisely understand what is needed, you should proceed with caution.
It's unlikely that any planning permission approval will be needed for this work, so long as you do not intend to use materials that lack a similar appearance to the existing property. However, building regulations do apply. A professional will need to survey your work and sign off on it. If you have any doubts about planning permission or building regulations, you should contact your local council.
As with any work there dangers and hazards involved. For one, there is a risk of falling from a height such as if you're on a ladder. Also, the tools and equipment needed can be dangerous if not correctly handled.
All round, you should ensure that you take the necessary safety precautions and take your time. Aside from the more serious risks, there is also the possibility of performing the work incorrectly. There is a lot involved, so it could easily go wrong without the proper knowledge or experience.
There are also some general downsides to this type of work, whether performed DIY or by a professional. For one, the risk that roof damage might occur, particularly if there are issues with the conservatory condition in general, may not have been noticed at first. Of course, the work will also be costly and disruptive.
Should you fail to gain approval for planning permission or building regulations, you'll need to re-apply with the suitable changes added. With a rejected application, you will be given the reasons that your proposal was not accepted.
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It should last for 10 to 15 years.
Glass and aluminium are some of the strongest materials you can use for a conservatory roof.
The best option would be a tiled roof. However, this will remove the conservatory's traditional look. You may want to consider adding a roof lantern, as this won't let in as much light or heat as a regular glass conservatory roof.
There are many options, including Hoya, Mandevilla, Sarracenia, Plumbago and Hymenocallis.
One option is by adding an appropriate solar control window film to the glass.
