Conservatory roof replacement query

[FlamBango]

Ok I have a huge conservatory on the house, it runs the entire width and then goes back a little way into the garden, an L shape. I has a cheap and nasty plastic roof which makes it totally unusable in the summer. Having watched my thermomiter literally blow up last month, I need a better roof.

However, due to the size ive been quoted anywhere between 18 and 20k to replace it with modern high tech, heat controlling glass. I checked down the back of the sofa and couldn't quite find enough. So are there cheaper solutions , other than knocking it down, to get a more heat managed conservatory?

 

[adwol48]

You could get the roof insulated. It requires battons being run on the existing upvc structure then they add in the insulation and finally it can be plasterboarded and finished off. Here is a link to someone who does it to give you an idea
http://www.conservatoryroofinsulations.co.uk

 

[FlamBango]

Cheers for that, I'll look into it. The only worry I have with a solid roof is turning the living room into a cave when all the light is lost.

 

[lolism]

I recently had this done - conservatory was useless the majority of the time. Leaking all the heat in winter and far too warm in summer (sounding like one of those radio adverts now).
A friend of the family owns a double glazing company and does a bit of roofing as well so thankfully I got good mates rates. We took the nasty plastic roof off, re-enforced one of the corners and turned it into a proper roof with insulation and plasterboard. Just had it all skimmed now and ready to paint.

I only had to pay for materials and some money towards a couple of guys who helped him. All in it was just under 3K. Mine's probably a lot smaller than yours though. Around 3.5m x 4.5m.

It's also got more of a pitch now, so slightly higher ceiling.

 

[adwol48]

Cheers for that, I'll look into it. The only worry I have with a solid roof is turning the living room into a cave when all the light is lost.

Yeah i lnow what you mean my conservatory is smaller than yours say 6m by 4 but i dont think it would affect the light in mine too badly as i would still have two roof lights and mine house is southwest facing. I'm kinda in the same boat I cant decide between an entirely new roof or just insulating the existing roof.

 

[DB_SamX]

For those who have it done, did they have to reinforce the roof's frame? The roof buildup would be heavier than a pane of glass, even if double glazed.

 

[ANDARIAL]

Can you get any type of blind installed?
Might be cheaper than new glass

 

[lolism]

For those who have it done, did they have to reinforce the roof's frame? The roof buildup would be heavier than a pane of glass, even if double glazed.

Just in the one corner that didn't have the support other than the uPVC frames & windows. My conservatory has a solid brick wall on the left side so the roof ring was fixed to this and the house leaving only one corner needing additional support. It probably would have been fine without it, but if I ever wanted to change windows it would have been a pain.

 

[Mahonyy]

@lolism pictures from before and after would be highly appreciated. I'm considering this as well.

 

[Steeps]

We went down the solid roof route, stripped off all existing and a new frame with a lightweight insulated roof fitted on top. With the roof painted white our adjoining room which was serviced by french doors isn't any darker than it was before. Temperatures didn't fluctuate anywhere near as much as before, through the hot weather with the doors open into the house the room was still cooler than outside. Can't recommend our supplier as they no longer produce them, it was about 8k for a 4x4m modern victorian style.

 

[SPG]

Just had a new conservatory refurbishment done this year with the new lightweight roof system, the original design had more brickwork than normal so need for re-reinforcement as such, its that good the lounge hardly get used anymore

Highly recommended, its the entire length of the house, so quite a big area.

 

[j0s]

I swapped from a glass roof as it had been up years and the top pane of glass started to slip and was becoming dangerous to a secondhand plastic roof. I also have a ceiling so I use thew room all year round. Added underlay and carpet to keep the room warmer in the winter.

https://preview.~ibb.co~/e0nqqK/10665346_10152628532523477_2630646268619956849_n.jpg
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https://preview.~ibb.co~/e3s1xz/10911337_10152721869363477_1686164637287964271_o.jpg
https://preview.~ibb.co~/eqqbVK/20170930_114737.jpg
https://preview.~ibb.co~/nMdkPe/20170930_114738.jpg
https://preview.~ibb.co~/cxAMxz/20171001_143438.jpg
https://preview.~ibb.co~/ffzs4e/20171001_143440.jpg
https://preview.~ibb.co~/eAtKje/20171001_171733.jpg
https://preview.~ibb.co~/hthqqK/20171002_175511_1.jpg
https://preview.~ibb.co~/hthqqK/20171002_175511_1.jpg
https://preview.~ibb.co~/b8s1xz/39289233_227163291289911_958171972120870912_n.jpg
https://preview.~ibb.co~/cYWuHz/39442397_224255838251232_6952452587840864256_n.jpg
https://preview.~ibb.co~/cxFzje/39454549_1173825576089666_1700974492811001856_n.jpg

 

[Gnjlynch]

Maybe solid roof tiles with velux style roof lights ??

 

[Iron-man]

insulating the inside wont cost much to do yourself to see how you feel, I insulated the inside roof of mine and it has made enough of a difference to be used all year round.

 

[lolism]

@lolism pictures from before and after would be highly appreciated. I'm considering this as well.

I don't have too much from before hand as it was an eyesore. I'll dig what I have out when I get home and upload along with a few "in construction" pics and what it's like now (It's not painted yet so you'll have to excuse the bare walls.