Replacing Conservatory Roof

rando

After initially ruling out be able to replace our conservatory roof from a polycarb one to a solid tiled roof, it appears that this maybe possible. I spoke to the local council today about building regs and they said it would be possible from a biuilding regs view. I would like to brick up 2 sides of the current conservatory and then put on a tiled roof to create a sunlounge with the front being dwarf wall and glass with patio doors in which would hopefully create a more usable room during the winter months. I am going to get an architect to check out the structural implications but does anyone have any experience of replacing their conservatory roof with a tiled one. I am also hoping that this is cheaper than knocking down the current conservatory and rebuilding a sunlounge from scratch.

woodbutcher_2

I have built many conservatories and quite a few sunrooms.The main problem i can forsee in your case is the footings.Most conservatories don't come under building regs and chances are that the footings were done to be "adequate".Sun rooms however come under building regs and the footings need to be a MINIMUM 600mm wide x900mm deep and deeper if the ground conditions dictate.I think the BCO will almost certainly want to check that the footings are sufficient to take the load of tiles and if they are not then you may have to knock down and start again.

rando

Thankss for the reply Woodbutcher. I am almost certain that the footings of the conservatory were 900mm deep . I am just trying to find my original drawings from the conservatoy company that built it. I also have an architect coming round this evening to have a look and give me an idea if its worth pursuing.
As you have built many a conservatory would you recommend (if tile roof not feesable) a glass roof with argon filled units. All i am trying to achieve really is a room that offers all year round use and the polycarb roof just seems to be the let down of heat escaping in the winter thus making it chilly in the winter.

woodbutcher_2

Glass technology has come a long way recently.The last glass roof i did was pilkington low-e self cleaning tinted units and they seemed to keep the conservatory a lot cooler than units of old.Suspect they are a lot more efficient in winter at keeping the place warm too.If i couldn't have a tiled roof,this was the way i would be looking.Probaly a good idea to incorporate some opening roof lights into the glass also.

rando

I have already obtained a couple of quotes for a replacment glass roof with self-cleaning glass and gas filled units and this was approx 5K (conservatory is p-shaped and the entire width of the house). I will await the architects view this evening and get an idea of cost for a tiled roof.

NETTY

Hi,
Have you tried this company: Britmet Tileform Ltd
Spital Farm Offices
Thorpe Mead
Banbury
Oxon
OX16 4RZ
They specialise in lightweight roofing systems.
I hope this is helpful

rando

NETTY wrote: »

Hi,
Have you tried this company: Britmet Tileform Ltd
Spital Farm Offices
Thorpe Mead
Banbury
Oxon
OX16 4RZ
They specialise in lightweight roofing systems.
I hope this is helpful

I have looked at their website and emailed them with a few questions. Do you have any experience of this comapany or know if they have done this on a conservatory before ?

cteb

hi
i too would like to replace our conservatory roof with a tiled roof to improve the rooms usability. Did you do this if so any hints tips suggestions would be gratefully recieved t

thanks

rando

cteb wrote: »

hi
i too would like to replace our conservatory roof with a tiled roof to improve the rooms usability. Did you do this if so any hints tips suggestions would be gratefully recieved t

thanks

I have not replaced the polycarb roof with a tiled roof because of mainly not finding anyone to do it. I contacted a company (can't remember their name at the moment but will look it up tonight at home) that specialised in 'light' tiled roofing slates that would be suitable for a conservatory roof. They were based in Chesire i think and with us being in Leicester they didn't seem that keen for the business. If you happen to come up with a company or solution then please let me know.
I have another person coming round at the weekend to give me another price on replacing the roof with pilk k glass with argon filled units. This seems to have been dragging on for months now but have to admit that during the warmer months i didn't pursue it as the conservatory was fine but now winter is fast approaching i must pull my finger out and get it sorted. Ideally I want a tiled roof with a couple of velux roof lights in at either end. Surely it can be done !

knowloads

+90% of the heat loss in winter is via the roof. I just fitted a wood frame to ours level to the top of the window frame, use 3" thick kingspan type insulation boards ( ply backed) to create a ceiling , and added 6 downlighters and a vent. Painted, Great and a lot warmer. The conservatory looks the same from outside and only slightly less light inside. We can now use it year round too

rando

knowloads wrote: »

+90% of the heat loss in winter is via the roof. I just fitted a wood frame to ours level to the top of the window frame, use 3" thick kingspan type insulation boards ( ply backed) to create a ceiling , and added 6 downlighters and a vent. Painted, Great and a lot warmer. The conservatory looks the same from outside and only slightly less light inside. We can now use it year round too

Sound like a workable solution. I would need to get someone to do it for me though as my DIY skills are not up to a job like that. Might be worth me getting a chippy round to give me a quote.