Conservatory roof replacement

Brentor

Brentor

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OK nothing to do with photography but I’m looking for experience of having a solid replacement conservatory roof. Our conservatory is over 30 years old and has a polycarbonate roof that needs replacing due to some leaks and worn out seals. I could replace with modern polycarbonate but a solid tiled roof would be more useful. However as these are the in thing, all in sundry seem to be offering installation and the price range ie vast.
 
Our electrician does the electrical installations for one of those companies here in NI, and speaks well of that particular company, but he does say that they make a lot of profit out of it.
 
I've had a solid glass one in the past. I added self cleaning (which worked) and a tint to minimise the sun's heat (it didn't work).
The polycarbonate ones are noisy when it rains - esp. when the roof is below your bedrooom window.
I agree that the structure may need strenthening if you go for solid tiles.
I know that many of the foundations installed when the market was booming were minimal.

We don't have a conservatory at our latest property.
 
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There are a lot of companies offering this service to ensure you meet the current regulations for insulation. One of these companies wrote to me a few days ago and I do not have a conservatory.

Dave
 
Brentor said:
OK nothing to do with photography but I’m looking for experience of having a solid replacement conservatory roof. Our conservatory is over 30 years old and has a polycarbonate roof that needs replacing due to some leaks and worn out seals. I could replace with modern polycarbonate but a solid tiled roof would be more useful. However as these are the in thing, all in sundry seem to be offering installation and the price range ie vast.
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My parents have been considering exactly this last week, the current roof is leaking in two places and they've been told it's because the seals have worn and the panels are slipping. For a solid tiled roof they have been getting quotes of £12,500 and a very pricey £19,000 for a 16m² conservatory, although I think the aesthetics and supposed better temp regulation of a tiled roof is appealing. The latter and more expensive company were saying repairs aren't possible because you can't get parts for them any more, presumably meaning the seals.

There would be a structural engineer involved because of the additional weight and presumably a building warrant because of this. They said it would be three days work, which seems impressive considering what is involved: Wood framing, sarking boards, installing tiles, insulation, plasterboard, electrics and lights, plastering, boxing off exposed frame sitting on top of windows.

I've started looking into myself and it would seem that you can quite easily remove the panels, clean them and silicone seal them back in place, so I'm going to look into that first and see if it's the same procedure for their conservatory. At the very least it would take the pressure off from rushing into such a big cost.
 
gman said:
My parents have been considering exactly this last week, the current roof is leaking in two places and they've been told it's because the seals have worn and the panels are slipping. For a solid tiled roof they have been getting quotes of £12,500 and a very pricey £19,000 for a 16m² conservatory, although I think the aesthetics and supposed better temp regulation of a tiled roof is appealing. The latter and more expensive company were saying repairs aren't possible because you can't get parts for them any more, presumably meaning the seals.

There would be a structural engineer involved because of the additional weight and presumably a building warrant because of this. They said it would be three days work, which seems impressive considering what is involved: Wood framing, sarking boards, installing tiles, insulation, plasterboard, electrics and lights, plastering, boxing off exposed frame sitting on top of windows.

I've started looking into myself and it would seem that you can quite easily remove the panels, clean them and silicone seal them back in place, so I'm going to look into that first and see if it's the same procedure for their conservatory. At the very least it would take the pressure off from rushing into such a big cost.
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This is very similar to our situation. The conservatory was built in the late 1980s with a polycarbonate roof which by all accounts has done very well to last this long. We had quotes last year to replace the roof with different types of polycarbonate from a one man band, but he failed to deliver.

The roof frame is constructed in a similar manner to windows rather than the beams they use these days. I did consider replacing the polycarbonate myself as it is easy to remove the existing panels and it is quite easy to cut the new panels. As with your parents, one problem was the seals as I couldn’t find anywhere that sold the same type. However, I bought some samples and a few looked like a suitable replacement although they were not indentical.

We asked a local company to quote for a tiled roof. Our conservatory is also 16m² and the original quote was just under £20k although they reduced this when I asked for a discount. Using the guidance on Checkatrade, this is at the top end, but I expect they will do a good job. I am sure other cos could undercut this, but would they be any good?

The company who quoted have said 8 days to complete the work. The salesman mentioned other cos doing it in 3 days, which as you say seems to be pushing it.

We need to make a decision and soon.
 
jerry12953 said:
I'm facing the same problem. I wonder if its possible to renovate the roof without using scaffolding, because that adds to the cost of any repair job.
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I was going to hire a conservatory roof ladder. The top section tilts to match the pitch of the roof and has a cross bar that rests on the beams to stop weight being put on the polycarbonate/glass.
 
I will need to go onto the pitched roof to access the long joint covers on the house side, but medium sized ladders should be fine for the other side. Once I get one panel out I am hoping to be able to pop up from the inside on A-Frame style ladders and work on the surrounding panels and the finish off the first panel from the outside. I'm sure it will all go to plan! haha

Here's a video I came across which is what I'm hoping their conservatory will be like:

 
Didn't go quite to plan. They wanted 40% upfront for a 5-8 day job that was not due to start for 8-12 weeks. They then wanted another 40% prior to commencement. I pulled out.

Will now get other quotes.
 
we had to cpmpletely replace our conservatory from the dwarf wall up. so had it all done in UPVC - double glazed and heat reflecting glass roof. New blinds added later
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no more sound of rain on the roof
the old one was made of wood frames and the "thickos" people used soft wood for the sills before we moved in.


the original not only rotten sills but looked old fashioned as well. not even small top opening windows
cqNs9Yyl.jpg
 
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We had this done last year, ours was a conservatory about 20 yrs old with polycarbonate. The replacement is chock full of insulation with a plaster ceiling and downlighters. Externally its plastic tiles but very realistic.

I’d recommend it, makes a big difference to usability

The quotes we had were massively different £8k & £16k for 14m2 or so. The difference was the low quote offered no structural calculations and you were on your own for getting a warrant. The higher quote included calcs and obtaining warrant. Thats not worth £8k on its own as a difference but it says something about confidence in product.

It took about a week
 
Usually ours is fairly warm being south facing. does get a bit cold this time of year admittedly. Debated as the having under glass roof blinds as well, second thoughts dust trap so didn't bother. Having it done wasn't cheap but worth it and hopefully added sale value, not that we are selling, NO way
 
Jim_Tod said:
We had this done last year, ours was a conservatory about 20 yrs old with polycarbonate. The replacement is chock full of insulation with a plaster ceiling and downlighters. Externally its plastic tiles but very realistic.

I’d recommend it, makes a big difference to usability

The quotes we had were massively different £8k & £16k for 14m2 or so. The difference was the low quote offered no structural calculations and you were on your own for getting a warrant. The higher quote included calcs and obtaining warrant. Thats not worth £8k on its own as a difference but it says something about confidence in product.

It took about a week
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Thanks. Do you mean that getting Building Regs clearance was down to you and if you didn’t succeed, rectification was down to you, even if it meant having to take off the new roof?

Did you find that the light levels reduced considerably with the new roof?
 
That was the cheaper quote and that was my understanding. I think they were in the market for those not interested in applying for a warrant. The guys we went with had their own architect and engineer and obtained warrant and completion cert

I’ve not noticed a big drop in light levels as the window glazing is all there. Have noticed a difference in temp, cooler in summer (when we get a sunny dayj warmer in winter
 
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