Conservatory roofs

How to choose a conservatory roof

Polycarbonate is the cheapest and the lightest. Glass is clearer and quieter. A solid tiled roof is the warmest and the most expensive, and it turns a seasonal room into one you can use all year. A heavier roof needs a frame and base that can carry it, so ask for a check before you order.

Every roof page shows what it typically costs fitted, what moves the price and what a quote should include.

What to check before you replace a conservatory roof

• The frame. A glass or solid roof is heavier than polycarbonate, so the frame and base must carry it. A survey tells you before you order.
• Building Regulations. A new roof must comply, so a solid roof is a job to check with building control. See planning and building a conservatory.
• Heat and light. Solar control glass cuts overheating, a solid roof cuts it more, and a lantern brings light back into a solid roof. Our guide to an energy efficient conservatory explains the trade-offs.
• Noise and upkeep. Polycarbonate is loud in the rain, and glass is easier to keep clean if it has a self-cleaning coating. See cleaning a conservatory.