Extension vs conservatory with a guardian roof

Saint84

@grumpy_codger

 Ok. As I said I will contact Building Control. Do you have any experience with Guardian Roofs??

20vt-rs

Albermarle said:

To be classed as a conservatory, there has to be external quality doors between it and the house.
Plus it should be heated separately ( not with the main house central heating system) 

Is this heating rule new or always been there? My house has a conservatory which has a central heating radiator plumed into the main heating system. It was here when I moved in so done by the last owners, but was probably 20-23 years ago when it was done.

ic

Can't speak for "Guardian Roofs", however my parents had a south-facing conservatory that had a polycarbonate roof.  It was baking hot in the summer, freezing cold in the winter - so had a couple of sweet spots per year where it actually got used.  They had a man in who ripped off the roof, and built up a lightweight, well insulated roof with three small opening windows.  It has transformed the room making it usable throughout the year.  It still gets cold and hot, just not as much so is easier to control with heating and ventilation.  The one downside is that the rooms connected to it are much darker (they are connected via doors that previously opened straight to the garden).

Personally speaking, I wouldn't choose to build a conservatory and with one of these roofs.  It's still a conservatory and will have a limited lifespan compared to a proper extension.  The roof system is really retro-fit to try and expand that lifespan.