So, you’ve seen the solid conservatory roof ads on billboards around town, in your local paper, and on vans from local installers in and around Colchester, but how can you tell if the best choice for your home is a solid roof conservatory?

That’s why we compiled our top 6 criteria to match your solid conservatory roof in this handy list when you’re choosing an installer!

1. Solid Conservatory Roof for New‐build or Refurbishment?

The architecture and engineering behind solid conservatory roof systems ensures the roofs are lightweight. It ensures that they can be used to restore the old conservatory as well as being used to build new tiled roof conservatories.

People in the industry often call this ‘ retrofit ‘ and plenty of homeowners choose to do this so they can turn old conservatories that are too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer into spaces they can use throughout the year.

If you’re looking for a brand-new conservatory with a solid roof, you’ll have to look for a contractor that can do everything from constructing the foundation and walls to fitting the frames and installing the roof. This is what Spectrum Glazing specialise in.

2. Planning Permission and Building Regulations for Solid Conservatories

Many new-build conservatories with either a high, tiled or glazed roof will not require permission for planning because they are protected by what is known as’ permitted construction.’ There are only a few restrictions and requirements about location and size that you can find information on the planning page of the government.

If you want to build an extension on your home, but not for a conservatory, if certain conditions are met, Building Regulations will apply. To classify your conservatory as a conservatory and not an extension, it will need to be separated from the main house with external quality walls and/or windows and doors that meet the requirements of the Building Regulation.

It will also need an additional heating system with separate on / off and temperature controls to the heating system at the main house.

If these steps are not in effect, legally the conservatory is an extension and separate Building Regulations apply. Even if your conservatory is designed in accordance with these requirements, the doors, windows and glazing, as well as any electrical work, will have to comply with specific building codes.

3. Is your Installer insured and using quality materials?

Before beginning any works, ask your installer to see an up-to-date copy of their public liability insurance certificate. This ensures you are protected should any accidents happen on site. As you, the homeowner are responsible for anyone you have working in your home if the correct insurance is not in place.

Avoid at all costs any company offering to clad over and insulate the existing conservatory roof structure. Most old roof structures are not designed to take the additional weight and are at a high risk of collapse. Additional without the correct ventilation any timbers used will rot and will result in the roof needing to be replaced sooner rather than later. Also this is also illegal as it is completely against building regulation guidelines.

Look for a solid conservatory roof replacement system that is LABSS and JHAI certified. An added benefit the the safety of your family is to find a roof system that has also been fire tested. The roof Spectrum Glazing recommends using – The Ultraframe Ultraroof ticks all these boxes.

4. What About Insulation and Energy Efficiency?

Insulation and the resulting levels of energy efficiency are one of the most important questions your installer needs to ask about. After all, most homeowners want restoration of the conservatory because the one they already have is so inefficient.

Unlike windows and doors, there is no conservatory roof thermal rating system, but your installer and product brochure will probably talk about U-Values instead.

What is a U‐Value?

A U‐Value is a measure of how effective a material is at insulation. In other words, thermal performance is measured by heat loss levels and is commonly referred to as the U‐Value. The lower the U‐Value, the less heat loss there is, the lower the U‐Values are equal to good thermal performance.

U‐Values are generally less than 1.0 W / m2 K, which means they have very good insulation and will keep warm in the winter and keep cool in the summer.

5. Can you Retro-Fit a New Roof to your Old Conservatory Frames?

Yes, a new solid conservatory roof can be installed on your old frames. Your installer will be able to carry out a survey and let you know whether they are suitable for the installation of a new solid conservatory roof.

6. Do you Need New Windows and Doors too?

Installing a solid roof can actually improve the energy efficiency of your conservatory, but if the frames, windows and doors are very old and inefficient, you might not get the full benefits of your new roof. Our certified installers will be able to advise you on the best choice for your home.