One of the main reasons homeowners choose to replace their glass or polycarbonate conservatory roof with a solid roof— sometimes referred to as a Warm Roof— is to create an extra room they can use comfortably all year round. To achieve this, it is vital that the chosen replacement roof system delivers excellent thermal performance, ensuring compliance with the applicable Building Regulations and a worthwhile investment.
Like most major building work, conservatory roof replacements must be done in line with UK Building Regulations. In addition to outlining structural and fire safety requirements, these set out the thermal performance (U-values) the new roof must achieve. Let’s break down the requirements:
Not sure what a U-value is? Check out our blog!
Some conservatories may be exempt from these requirements, such as those with a smaller footprint (>30m2 in England and Wales) or those that remain ‘thermally separate’ i.e. where a wall, door or window is retained and the home’s heating is not extended into the conservatory. However, conservatory roof replacements are often carried out to create an additional room that can be used throughout summer and winter without having to run costly fans and heaters. Therefore, using a conservatory roof replacement that doesn’t meet the required U-values would defeat the purpose of investing in a new roof in the first instance.
Where conservatories are opened up to the main house and serviced by the properties main heating system, any improvements may trigger the need to upgrade windows and doors to ensure they are insulated and draughtproof. Again, this makes sense if you want to create a habitable space whatever the weather conditions.
Solid roof replacements like our Guardian Warm Roof provide a simple solution to meeting these requirements. They replace the full existing roof structure (rather than sit over the top like wrapover systems) with a properly insulated Warm Roof system, featuring layers of insulation boards to achieve the target U-values. As they are manufactured offsite to match the exact measurement of the existing conservatory, they can be easily installed with a precise fit, minimising the risk of draughts.
As we have explored, ensuring reliable thermal performance is fundamental to the success of a conservatory roof replacement project, creating a functional space all year round. Whilst manufacturers can often give guidance on how their systems can be used to achieve certain U-values, it is important to check if their claims have been independently verified by a professional body, providing reassurance that their claims match reality.
For example, our Guardian Warm Roof has been independently tested by The Building Research Establishment (BRE) – which certifies that the U-value achieved by our standard Warm Roof system meets the requirements in each region. Combined with the excellent workmanship of our trained and supported Certified Installers, this helps to achieve a comfortable and compliant conservatory every time.
This independent testing can also lead to these solutions being fully approved by quality and building control bodies. For example, in addition to the BRE certifications, we have partnered with Hertfordshire Building Control (HBC) and the LABC to ensure compliance across England, Wales, and Scotland. These partnerships can help to streamline various building control checks and ensure a smooth construction process.
Learn more about gaining building control approval.
Condensation on the inside walls of conservatories is often caused by something called ‘thermal bridging.’ This is where an area of the conservatory structure is less well insulated than the rest, creating cold areas. The warmed internal air will condense against this cold surface, which can result in condensation. This damp environment can then lead to mould growth, which is not only unsightly but can cause significant structural damage (especially on traditional timber framed systems) and pose a serious health risk if not addressed.
Independent bodies such as BRE can also undertake condensation risk analyses that look at the performance of the roof system and take into consideration the potential differences between internal and external air temperatures to determine the risk of condensation. This typically uses specialist software to determine accurate climatic conditions for locations across the UK. From London to Aberdeen, the assessment analysed the average moisture and temperature over a 5-year modelling period to create a stable and accurate view of the climate.
Due to the fact the system is fully ventilated, the BRE’s analysis of our aluminium-framed Guardian Warm Roof concluded that surface or internal condensation is not likely to occur in any of the climates across the UK, making it a safe and healthy roof replacement choice for any home.
To transform an old conservatory into a truly useable and enjoyable space, it is important to be confident that the chosen solid roof replacement system will provide thermal performance necessary to be compliant with local regulations and guarantee comfort all year round. That’s why we are passionate about making sure the performance of our Guardian Warm Roof is independently verified and transparently communicated, helping you make the best choice for your project.
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