How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Conservatory Roof in the UK?

The average cost to replace a conservatory roof in the UK is typically between £2,500 and £15,000, depending on the size of the conservatory, roofing material, and level of insulation. Lightweight tiled roofs are usually the most expensive option but offer the best energy efficiency, while polycarbonate roofs are more affordable.

Conservatory Roof Replacement Costs at a Glance

Is replacing a conservatory roof worth it?

Many people who have older conservatories find the space almost unusable in the winter months, particularly if they don’t have an effective heating system to counteract the colder weather.

Even when the sun shines, the ‘greenhouse’ effect does not provide adequate ambient warmth to create a suitable environment. Many older conservatories also have poor insulation, which prevents them from retaining heat.

Over time, the roof will deteriorate due to normal wear and tear, exacerbated by weather damage. Conservatory roof replacement with a new and more energy-efficient glass or tiled roof could be the ideal solution, benefiting from advances in materials and insulation.

In short, it could make your conservatory a more pleasant place to be, in summer and winter, revitalising the space.

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at why you should consider a new conservatory roof replacement, the benefits it will bring, how much it may cost if you need planning permission and the different options open to you before deciding to carry out the work.

Why replace a conservatory roof?

When your conservatory was first built, it would have certainly enhanced your home’s value and aesthetics.

Today, you may find your traditional polycarbonate conservatory roof is not the best choice to achieve effective temperature control year-round.

It’s known as the ‘greenhouse effect’, which means you bake in summer and freeze in winter!

Why should you consider a conservatory roof replacement?

Firstly, developments in materials and insulation will make the space far more comfortable, whether you’re enjoying the outdoors-in effect in summer or benefiting from the added living space throughout the winter.

Energy efficiency

A new roof will be more energy efficient too than your existing roof, saving on heating and cooling bills and reducing your carbon footprint. Typically, conservatories lose around 80% of heat due to inadequate roof insulation.

It will also bring your conservatory up to date, modernising the space to add to the appeal of your property – particularly important if you are considering selling your home at any time in the future.

Noise reduction

Roof replacement means you’ll benefit from improved noise reduction properties too – less rain drumming on your conservatory roof – and, dependent upon your choice of material, reduced maintenance requirements too – today’s modern, insulated roof systems are designed to be low maintenance.

Enjoy better insulation, lower energy bills, and a sleek, modern look that complements your home. Whether your conservatory is a cosy retreat or a bright, functional family space, a new roof will provide it with a new lease of life.

EDF, Britain’s biggest generator of zero-carbon electricity, makes a powerful case for insulating conservatory roofs and windows.

Prevent heat loss

You’ll have heard references to U values in assessing how effective any material is in insulating against heat loss. Alongside improved aesthetics, enhanced thermal insulation is probably the key reason most people choose to replace an ageing and poorly performing roof. Maintaining a reliably stable temperature gives you more options on how to use the space, whatever the season. 

Replacing a traditional polycarbonate or glass conservatory roof with a solid conservatory roof is a cost-effective way to enhance your conservatory’s energy performance and help retain heat.

Solid roofs provide much better insulation. allowing your conservatory to retain heat more effectively during winter and stay cooler in summer, resulting in improved energy efficiency and a more comfortable space year-round

Create a year-round space

Many people find their conservatories are not only unusable in the winter when they’re far too cold and too expensive to keep heat, but also unbearably hot in the summer. By choosing to install a new, effectively insulated roof, your conservatory becomes an all-season space – not just a cosy haven in winter but also a cool retreat in summer.

Reduce energy bills

Another significant benefit of conservatory roof replacement is reduced energy bills year-round, conserving heat in winter and reducing the need for air conditioning or expensive fans in summer. It’s a smart and eco-friendly choice which will reduce your carbon footprint whilst saving you money too. 

Increase your home value

You may not be considering selling your home now, but a new insulated conservatory roof to replace a polycarbonate roof will make your property more attractive to potential buyers in the future. It’s a sound investment for today which will reap rewards by adding value to your home. – a solid roof to replace your old roof can significantly increase your home’s value by between 5-12%.

Aesthetics

There are many conservatory roof replacement finishes, styles, and effects to enhance your home’s look and feel. Changing the roof can help you create a different style, improve aesthetics, and give the interior and exterior a different look.

How much does a replacement conservatory roof cost?

The cost of the conservatory roof depends on the style you choose. Do you want to replace it with a fully thermally efficient glass roof to let the light flood in, or a mixture of glass and solid panels? Or even a lightweight tiled roof for a more traditional finish?

Replacing a conservatory roof can cost anywhere between £2,500 and £15,000, and most companies who supply replacement roofs will have finance schemes in place to let you spread the cost over a period to suit you. The most popular roof choice today is thermally efficient glass.

There are many different things to factor into each project when researching conservatory roof prices which will affect all the costs. These include:-

• Size – a larger conservatory, will have a greater conservatory roof size and therefore the higher the cost of conservatory roof replacement/conservatory roof prices.
• The material you select – polycarbonates are cheap but won’t give you many of the benefits of other materials such as glass and solid panels.
• Installation – different installers will specialise in different styles and designs, therefore prices may fluctuate in terms of both labour and materials.

Glass conservatory roof

Typical prices for replacing an existing conservatory roof with a thermally efficient glass roof depend on the size – the bigger the conservatory, the higher the price.

The average cost for a 3m x 3m glass conservatory roof typically starts at around £3,300, increasing to approximately £9,500 depending on the conservatory’s size and complexity.

If you want to fill your conservatory with plants, then glass is a great choice and should last for at least 15-20 years, amortising conservatory roof replacement costs.

Pros

• Energy efficiency: A new glass conservatory roof reflects heat and helps regulate temperatures. 
• Natural light: A glass conservatory roof allows more natural light into the space.  
• Solar control: Glass roofs can reduce glare and prevent sun damage to furniture. 
• Aesthetics: A glass conservatory roof can give a home a modern, stylish look. 
• Home value: Glass roofs can increase the value of a home. 
• Weather resistance: Modern glass roofs can withstand severe weather conditions. 
• Thermal performance: Glass roofs can boost the thermal performance of a conservatory, making it warmer. 

Cons

• Temperature control: Glass roofs can be difficult to regulate, causing the conservatory to be too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. 
• Maintenance costs: A glass conservatory roof will require regular cleaning to maintain its transparency, although self-cleaning glass can help here. 
• Durability: Glass roofs can be damaged by extreme weather conditions
• Privacy: Glass roofs may offer limited privacy depending on their location. 
• Noise: A glass conservatory roof may be more lightweight than tiled roofs, which could mean you hear more noise. 
• Glare: Glare from the glass conservatory roof can interfere with visibility and comfort. 
• Selling: A glass conservatory roof may not be a selling point and may not recoup the cost when you sell your home. 

Polycarbonate conservatory roof

A polycarbonate roof is the most affordable option and still allows plenty of light to enter your conservatory. It may not look as good but it will be relatively maintenance-free.

However, its thermal efficiency is limited, so the greenhouse effect will persist over time, and it can be noisy when it rains. A polycarbonate conservatory roof may be a cheaper option in terms of conservatory roof replacement costs but won’t bring the added benefits of other, more sustainable solutions.

Glass & Solid Panels conservatory roof

A combination of glass and solid panels provides the perfect solution for replacement conservatory roofs. There are a range of options on the market; some of the best are hybrid designs that incorporate large double-glazed panels within a solid construction, which enables light to be streamed into a space exactly where it’s needed.

One example is the ‘Livinroof’, a blend of glass and solid panels that optimises natural light and thermal insulation. Prices for Livinroof are dependent upon size, with average prices starting at £5,500, increasing to approximately £13,500, depending on the size or complexity of the conservatory design

Other good options incorporate glazed panels or Velux windows, set into a solid yet lightweight tiled finish. The attractive touch with this choice is that internally, they can feature plastered and high vaulted ceiling finish, giving the room a feeling of bright airiness and open space.

This attractive combination of solid and glass finishes will result in a comfortable, thermally efficient space suitable for all uses, from playrooms and offices to cosy retreats and summer garden rooms.

Advantages

• Thermally advanced insulated new solid roof
• Contemporary grey panelled roof provides the perfect complement for modern bi-fold or sliding doors
• Roof glass can be specified to specific sizes and shapes to allow light to stream into the room just where it’s needed
• Attractive internal plastered vaulted ceilings – just add spotlights or pendant lighting
• Shaped glazing gives a unique and individual finish
• Suitable as a replacement for any shape of conservatory roof

Disadvantages

• More expensive than a glass roof
• Will require regular cleaning to maintain transparency and effect 
• Reduced sound insulation – roofs with large glass sections may be more lightweight than tiled roofs, which could mean you hear more outside noise. 
• Glare from the glass roof can interfere with visibility and comfort. 

Talk to a conservatory roof specialist installer to discuss the right choice to make a sound investment for your home.

Tiled conservatory roof

Capable of achieving U-values as low as 0.15, a tiled conservatory roof is a strong option that can enhance your property’s aesthetics.

So what is a typical tiled conservatory roof cost? The price for replacing a tiled design depends on the size; the bigger the conservatory the higher the price. Average prices start at around £6,100 increasing to approximately £15,000 depending on the size or complexity of the conservatory design.

Pros

• Improved thermal efficiency – a tiled conservatory roof is more thermally efficient than glass or polycarbonate roofs, providing a comfortable temperature year-round 
• Reduced energy bills – tiled roofs help reduce heat loss, which can result in lower energy consumption and reduced utility bills 
• Noise reduction – tiled roofs can reduce noise by up to 30 decibels, creating a quieter and calmer living space 
• Improved aesthetic appeal – tiled roofs can improve the appearance of your conservatory 
• Increased property value – a tiled conservatory roof can increase your property’s value by improving its kerb appeal 
• Low maintenance – tiled roofs are generally low maintenance and maintain their appearance without constant cleaning. 

Cons

• Weight considerations – tiled roofs involve structural considerations as they will be heavier than a glass or polycarbonate roof
• Reduced natural light – tiled roofs can reduce the amount of natural light entering your conservatory
• Planning permission and building regulations – you do need to comply with building regulations to install a tiled roof.

Creating Spaces Group has more information on replacing conservatory roofs.

Factors affecting costs

Many different factors can affect the conservatory roof prices such as size, design, roof style and labour. If you opt for a solid roof you need to understand the other labour needed such as plastering and electrics.

Labour costs

Conservatory roof replacement costs involve labour costs. At least two people are required to install a new conservatory roof. This count may increase for more complex projects.

Labour costs can and do vary significantly, depending on whether it is a simple roof replacement or a complete project involving plastering and electrical works for a solid conservatory roof option. Starting costs would be from £2,400 – £6,000.

Size of conservatory roof

The size of your conservatory roof will be the most significant factor affecting cost.

• Glass – Price per square metre £370 – £1055
• Solid panel and glass roofs – Livinroof example typical price per square metre £600 – £1500, Ultraroof typical price per square metre2 £700 – £1700

Location of the property

There are other factors your installer will consider when providing a quote for your replacement conservatory roof.

If your property is very remote or difficult for vehicles to access, they may need to factor in additional costs. The conservatory may also be difficult to access in terms of getting materials and equipment to the site, this might entail additional labour and handballing costs.

Design of conservatory roof

In addition, the design of your conservatory roof will impact the eventual price. A simple lean-to conservatory with a sloping roof will be less expensive than a more complex Victorian-style conservatory roof.

How long does it take to replace a conservatory roof?

The size of your conservatory will affect fitting time, but most installers will ensure you are watertight within a day, with all necessary external works completed on the second day.

Internal works will depend on customer specifications, but as a guideline, first-fix electrics will take half a day, plastering will take a day to a day and a half, depending on size, then a day to dry, and second-fix works will take half a day. All in all, your replacement roof should be complete within five days.

Do you need planning permission?

It’s unlikely replacing your conservatory roof will require you to seek formal planning permission. However, if you’re making the change from a simple polycarbonate roof to a solid tiled roof, a survey will be completed and it may be necessary for your project to comply with Building Regulations/achieve building regulations approval.

The survey is designed to assess whether the existing conservatory is structurally capable of supporting a new, heavier roof. In some cases, frames may need reinforcement, or doors and windows may require replacement.

If you’re unsure go to the Planning Portal website.

Wrapping up

So should you consider investing in a new conservatory replacement roof to replace your existing tired and maybe even leaky polycarbonate roof or glass option?

A new roof will give you a bright and warm space you can use all year round. It will contribute to reducing your heating and cooling costs. What’s more, it will look great, potentially increasing the value of your home and making it a sound and sensible investment.

Take a look at what Creating Spaces Group has to offer. Contact us today on 01422 355425 or contact us online to book your free no-obligation site measure.

Conservatory Roof Price FAQs