How noisy is a Polycarbonate Roof? What about a Tiled Roof?

gazfocus

We have recently placed an order for our conservatory with a polycarbonate roof but a friend has suggested that the roof may be really noisy in the rain and has recommended that we consider having a tiled roof.

So, I'm just wondering if anyone here that's got a polycarbonate roof can comment on how noisy the roof is when it rains. Is the conservatory likely to become unusable?

Thanks

ed110220

Not sure about the noise issue, but for legal purposes a conservatory has to have a roof that is mostly transparent. If you put a tile roof on it it's no longer considered a conservatory but a habitable room (extension) and has to comply with all the rules for that.

greenbee

Quite noisy in the rain. VERY noisy when the pigeons jump up and down on it... but unlike glass at least you can thump it with a broom handle to shoo them off!

Dan-Dan

There is only one answer to this

YES , VERY

gazfocus

ed110220 wrote: »

Not sure about the noise issue, but for legal purposes a conservatory has to have a roof that is mostly transparent. If you put a tile roof on it it's no longer considered a conservatory but a habitable room (extension) and has to comply with all the rules for that.

Thanks to all... so, would I need to apply for building regulations approval for a tiled roof? If so, is this done before or after the conservatory is built?

Edit: Found this on the Planning Portal website, which doesn't mention anything about the roof being glazed/transparent, so can anyone please clarify?

Building Regulations

Building regulations will generally apply if you want to build an extension to your home.

However, conservatories are normally exempt from building regulations when:

They are built at ground level and are less than 30 square metres in floor area.
The conservatory is separated from the house by external quality walls, doors or windows.
There should be an independent heating system with separate temperature and on/off controls.
Glazing and any fixed electrical installations comply with the applicable building regulations requirements (see below).
You are advised not to construct conservatories where they will restrict ladder access to windows serving rooms in roof or loft conversions, particularly if any of the windows are intended to help escape or rescue if there is a fire.

Any new structural opening between the conservatory and the existing house will require building regulations approval, even if the conservatory itself is an exempt structure.

chrisw

It's not too noisy with normal rain and drizzle, but very noisy when it's hammering down. To me that is part of the pleasure of a conservatory, if I didn't want to hear the sound of the rain I'd go and sit in the lounge. A conservatory with a tiled roof is just an extension.

gazfocus

chrisw wrote: »

It's not too noisy with normal rain and drizzle, but very noisy when it's hammering down. To me that is part of the pleasure of a conservatory, if I didn't want to hear the sound of the rain I'd go and sit in the lounge. A conservatory with a tiled roof is just an extension.

Thanks, I don't have a problem with it being an 'extension'. Our main concern is being able to use the room all year round.

How much more expensive is a tiled roof compared to polycarbonate?

muckybutt

It depends on what you call noisy !

My inlaws have a polycarb roof on theirs, when it rains it can drown out converation, but if it's just steady away then personally I find it quite theraputic and nearly always end up nodding off !

southcoastrgi

do you intend to keep the existing "exterior" doors when it's fitted ?

gazfocus

southcoastrgi wrote: »

do you intend to keep the existing "exterior" doors when it's fitted ?

Yes we'll be keeping the existing doors.

southcoastrgi

it might have seemed a funny question, however if you fit a poly roof & remove the existing lockable doors & replace with say normal french doors (non lockable) & you get broken into then your home insurance is normally void, so it's a point worth remembering, but to answer your question yes it is noisy