Are replacement conservatory roofs legal; do they meet building regulations?

With many conservatories unfit for purpose, home owners are left looking a for a solution – and ideally one that doesn't involve simply knocking the whole thing down.

Are replacement conservatory roofs legal?

Increasingly common is replacing the roof, having the existing glass or polycarbonate roof removed and having a solid, tiled replacement roof installed in its place.

It sounds a sensible solution, after all, the roof is the source of most heating issues, and is the reason why conservatories are a virtual sauna when the sun shines.

However, are roof replacements legal and do they meet building requirements – and, if so, why are glass roofs so common when there are other solutions so much more fit for purpose?

To answer, we need a bit of a history lesson. Don't worry, we'll keep it brief.

Until 2010 conservatories had to have either glass or polycarbonate roofs which is why most conservatories still have one of these materials. Since 2010 it's been possible to have a lightweight solid, tiled roof either to a new conservatory or fitted as a replacement roof to an existing one.

There is, though, a caveat.

The solid, tiled replacement roof essentially means a Guardian Warm Roof and we're not just saying that because these are our roofs.

Only the Guardian Roof has full Local Area Building Control approval. In fact, solid, tiled roofs are only allowed now because we worked tirelessly to prove their suitability and to get regulations overturned. At Guardian, we didn't benefit from regulation changes; our work created the regulation changes.

This means that if you were to consider a solid, tiled replacement roof by another brand – and there are others out there – you might be left worrying that your new roof doesn't meet regulatory standards. You might be left with no peace of mind.

With a Guardian Roof, you meet regulations and of course the roof is completely legal. In fact, Guardian Roofs always come with lengthy guarantees whichever local installer you choose.

You can find your local installer by contacting us via this page or giving us a call on 0800 0665832.

Knowing your new conservatory roof passes all regulations and has a lengthy guarantee is of course a relief, but why consider a Guardian Warm Roof in the first place?

We believe there are multiple reasons, chief among them being that our roofs deliver on their key promise. They turn the conservatory from a room that is often virtually unusable into one that is the best room in the house when the sun shines. The lightweight solid, tiled roof keeps the room within a pleasant temperature range.

A range of benefits

Guardian Warm Roofs also look great. They come in a range of colours and styles so there is something to suit every type of property – bespoke roof can also be made for the rare opportunities when one of the standard styles doesn't quite work. You can see our range of finishes here.

And the roofs make financial sense both in the short and medium term and the long.

In the short and medium term, there are energy bill savings to be enjoyed. Independent research found that upgrading the roof helped the homeowner save £200 on energy bills per year on average. The reason is that our roofs are so much more efficient in the winter, heat isn't lost straight through the glass roof.

Longer term, if you ever look to sell, the work may well have paid for itself and more besides. Would-be buyers value the upgrade, work that has turned a flawed conservatory into what is essentially a superb extension. This upgrade adds value to the house value, often upping the value by far more than the cost of the work.

Considering changing your conservatory roof is not an easy decision – it might feel hard to justify the expense on a room you have already paid to have built.

It can though make a huge difference to the conservatory, the house as a whole and your enjoyment of both (and of the summer).

If you'd like to know more about our roofs, including how to find a local, approved installer, call us on 0800 0665832.

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