Insulated Warm Conservatory roof advice

mutley74

Hi
Looking to upgrade an existing conservatory which has a 20 yr old polycarbonate roof and dated frames. The roof frame is sagging and frankly surprised it has lasted the recent storms. 

I was interested in a warm roof and been reading about the Guardian and Supalite types. 

Had a few quotes which have been variable in price and technical advice. I have checked with the LA and it is essential to take out building control application for such a change. 

Looking for any feedback, advice, on these types of roofs? 

Which is better Guardian or Supalite tile roofs?

Or is a wooden structure better?  (had 2 companies tell me to avoid aluminium framed roofs). 

How to choose a reputable installer?

Are Velux windows more hassle than benefit in a insulated conservatory roof?

thanks. 
 

andyf1980

Following as we are also considering this for a property we are buying. 

Bendy_House

mutley74 said:

 I have checked with the LA and it is essential to take out building control application for such a change. 

Are you sure? Is it particularly large?

"Conservatories have been exempt from Building Regulation control (since the mid-'80s) providing they comply with the following: The floor area must not exceed 30m² (measured internally.) The conservatory is separated from the house by either external quality walls, doors or windows. It must be built at ground level."

mutley74

Bendy_House said:

mutley74 said:

 I have checked with the LA and it is essential to take out building control application for such a change. 

Are you sure? Is it particularly large?

"Conservatories have been exempt from Building Regulation control (since the mid-'80s) providing they comply with the following: The floor area must not exceed 30m² (measured internally.) The conservatory is separated from the house by either external quality walls, doors or windows. It must be built at ground level."

It is not the size, it is a change of roof type. If it is a plastic or glass roof no Building control approval is required, but a change to a tiled insulated roof required building control, as this is a change in loadings on the structure. I checked with the local inspector. 

TELLIT01

I can't provide a comparison, but our pitched conservatory roof was replaced with Guardian and we are very happy with it.  Conservatory is 14' x 10' and roof cost approx £8k, although we were quoted nearly double that figure for the identical roof by the people who originally installed the conservatory.  Guardian do have a list of approved installers.  Any installer will need to check that the old conservatory can support the new roof.  We didn't have Velux windows but have one section glazed to avoid loosing too much light into the room behind the conservatory.

mutley74

What is confusing, on the Guardian website, the only have 2 approved installers in my area. A big of digging and these 2 are owned by the same company, one is an office and the other is the factory. 
But contacted a few reputable window and conservatory firms who list services of installing guardian roof.

Does it make any difference if its not an approved installer?  Versus a reputable independent who can also install a roof but issue their own guarantee not a Guardian backed one?