New conservatory - solid or glass roof

DB_SamX

DB_SamX

DB_SamX

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Winchester
I am organising quotes for a new conservatory for my parents - 4.8m x 3.2m

The purpose is twofold:
1. They want/need a larger dining room for occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, new years, etc, which will be used once or twice a month at most, all year around.
2. It will connect the existing dining room to the garage, where they keep a second fridge and additional food. At present, probably, once an evening, they need to go outside to go into the garage if they need to get something.

I've been researching the roof option differences, and appreciate the benefits of warmth, insulation, etc at the expense of Building Regs requirements, proper footings, slabs, etc that a solid (tiled) roof offers i.e. it's a proper extension. I am also a chartered structural engineer, with an additional degree in architecture, so helps with my understanding.

But the cost difference is enormous! First quote came back as £30k for solid roof option, and £22k if in glass. I expected a much smaller difference.

So, I am just after personal opinions if anyone went with a glass roof, and now regret not having a solid roof, or if anyone has managed to use a glass roof conservatory in winter, albeit occasionally? Could they compromise with having a glass roof, but install underfloor heating, and have a couple of portable electric heaters for occasions when they do want to use it in winter (£2k for underfloor heating was quoted)?
 
If it falls under the "conservatory" regs, we had a metrotile lightweight roof which has proved fabulous. Does not cook in summer and easy to heat in winter, with a small oil filled rad.
If its an "extension", things get a little more complicated and a lot more expensive.
For comparison, we paid 15k for a 4.1m x 3.6m conservatory.
 
Thanks. That's an interesting product, but none of the 4 companies I've approached so far offer that specific one for roofs. The one which has quoted so far is based on a Kinspan Structural Roof Insulated Panels.
 
Ours has a glass roof (even has some UV coating) it gets roasting in summer and freezing in winter and even with heaters running not really very nice atmosphere for entertaining as even if you get the temperature up a bit it has a kind of damp feel.
 
Little montage if it helps visualise. The roof arrives on site all pre cut. Its like a big meccano kit.
100mm insulation, then the plasterboard inside had an extra 50mm of insulation on the back.
Just after roof arrival,
eVageiw.jpg
Cracking on..
cJkEj8O.jpg
Before "tiles"
NXCzcM5.jpg
Finished.
ipfLbjk.jpg
 
DB_SamX said:
I am organising quotes for a new conservatory for my parents - 4.8m x 3.2m

The purpose is twofold:
1. They want/need a larger dining room for occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, new years, etc, which will be used once or twice a month at most, all year around.
2. It will connect the existing dining room to the garage, where they keep a second fridge and additional food. At present, probably, once an evening, they need to go outside to go into the garage if they need to get something.

I've been researching the roof option differences, and appreciate the benefits of warmth, insulation, etc at the expense of Building Regs requirements, proper footings, slabs, etc that a solid (tiled) roof offers i.e. it's a proper extension. I am also a chartered structural engineer, with an additional degree in architecture, so helps with my understanding.

But the cost difference is enormous! First quote came back as £30k for solid roof option, and £22k if in glass. I expected a much smaller difference.

So, I am just after personal opinions if anyone went with a glass roof, and now regret not having a solid roof, or if anyone has managed to use a glass roof conservatory in winter, albeit occasionally? Could they compromise with having a glass roof, but install underfloor heating, and have a couple of portable electric heaters for occasions when they do want to use it in winter (£2k for underfloor heating was quoted)?
Click to expand...

at £22K vs £30K i'd defo go for a proper one. as in no way i would pick glass.

glass conservatories are essentially storage spaces and never get used for socialising. too hot in summer and too cold in winter. it's a pointless exercise. i'm amazed so many people have them. probably because like your parent's they are cheaper.

if you want to do something then do it right. no point skimping out.
 
DB_SamX said:
Thanks. That's an interesting product, but none of the 4 companies I've approached so far offer that specific one for roofs. The one which has quoted so far is based on a Kinspan Structural Roof Insulated Panels.
Click to expand...

If your not governed by a very tight height restriction or need a totally vaulted ceiling inside (getting some vault for small roof windows may be possible) Roof trusses may be an option for a more traditional roof, SIPs are great onsite as they are very fast to install but they normally are not cheap.
 
Countcussy said:
If it falls under the "conservatory" regs, we had a metrotile lightweight roof which has proved fabulous. Does not cook in summer and easy to heat in winter, with a small oil filled rad.
If its an "extension", things get a little more complicated and a lot more expensive.
For comparison, we paid 15k for a 4.1m x 3.6m conservatory.
Click to expand...

Did you fit the meteorite yourself or get an installer to do it?
 
Glass conservatories are wonderful if they're large enough. You do need to be able to open vents to prevent overheating. My parents had one that was glass floor to ceiling and every pane could be opened. They had a rather larger garden than @Countcussy and there was garden on two sides and patio on the third.

And don't get decorations for the top. They look nice but they're a right pain to clean.
 
Psycho Sonny said:
at £22K vs £30K i'd defo go for a proper one. as in no way i would pick glass.

glass conservatories are essentially storage spaces and never get used for socialising. too hot in summer and too cold in winter. it's a pointless exercise. i'm amazed so many people have them. probably because like your parent's they are cheaper.

if you want to do something then do it right. no point skimping out.
Click to expand...


We have a glass roofed conservatory, and it is in use all year round. It has a fantastic UV coating is tinted and we have automatic roof blinds.
Only three days last summer was it too hot to go in there without opening the doors to the garden first, then it was actually cooler than sitting outside in the direct sun.
We have a couple of small electric heaters for the winter, but they have only been used this last week, as before then the winter has been so mild it was plenty comfortable to use the conservatory.
 
Entai said:
We have a glass roofed conservatory, and it is in use all year round. It has a fantastic UV coating is tinted and we have automatic roof blinds.
Only three days last summer was it too hot to go in there without opening the doors to the garden first, then it was actually cooler than sitting outside in the direct sun.
We have a couple of small electric heaters for the winter, but they have only been used this last week, as before then the winter has been so mild it was plenty comfortable to use the conservatory.
Click to expand...

I'm in Scotland which makes a big difference. I can see a lot of my neighbours on the opposite side of the street have them. It's far colder up here so useless in winter. As it is even just getting the house up to a decent temp is an issue was minus 4 yesterday and i forgot to check today but my whole driveway was an icerink. i had to hold onto the car and use it to steady myself as i moved from one side to the other. i was literally sliding all over the place.

i don't see a use for the glass ones in scotland.
 
Countcussy said:
Little montage if it helps visualise. The roof arrives on site all pre cut. Its like a big meccano kit.
100mm insulation, then the plasterboard inside had an extra 50mm of insulation on the back.
Just after roof arrival,
eVageiw.jpg
Cracking on..
cJkEj8O.jpg
Before "tiles"
NXCzcM5.jpg
Finished.
ipfLbjk.jpg
Click to expand...
looks great but the fact that you can build it under conservatory regs tells me that the regs are wrong as that is clearly not a conservatory!
 
danlightbulb said:
Im in fits of laughter. That looks like a local electricity substation!.
Click to expand...

Perhaps a little harsh :p

As its on the back of the house, looks were never top of the list. How it functioned as an extra room that would be used every day for my family was far more important. I have no plans to sit outside and admire it. :)
 
Might be of interest but i recently bought a couple of new blinds they are a honeycomb structure with aluminium foil inside the honeycombs they are meant to help with energy efficiency. Just did a quick check and they are already around 2c warmer than the old single panel blinds so if you want a glass roof these could help a little
31975936507_fcb0954958_c.jpg


31975936517_cf70c83a19_c.jpg
 
adwol48 said:
Might be of interest but i recently bought a couple of new blinds they are a honeycomb structure with aluminium foil inside the honeycombs they are meant to help with energy efficiency. Just did a quick check and they are already around 2c warmer than the old single panel blinds so if you want a glass roof these could help a little
Click to expand...

What's the brand of those blinds.

Sicne my post, I have had one more quote, and awaiting a third.

Original was £22k glass/£30k solid roof - by Britelite
Second was £38k glass/£45k solid roof - by Everest. I literally laughed at that.
Third pending.
 
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