Should I invest in a glass or tiled roof?
We will be in a better position to give you a definitive answer once we know how you want to use the room, which direction it faces and what your budget is. A flood of natural light won’t come at the sacrifice of overheating as solar control glazing is sophisticated and will keep the room temperature at a comfortable level.
If you want to be able to use your extended space all-year round, a solid tiled roof is an ideal covering, to which you can have full length glass panels or Velux windows added. This will give you a mixture of the benefits gained from a solid and glass roof.
For any additional clarification you might need about our roofing systems, speak to a TWC advisor.
Would it be worth upgrading the frames too?
It would seem to make sense to have the existing conservatory frames upgraded just before a new roof is integrated into the structure so that you know the conservatory is super energy efficient.
This will ensure you’re not left with an energy efficient roof that fails to insulate the space effectively because of draughts that pour through outdated windows. We can price up a new set of window frames with a new roof as a package.
MORE COMMON QUESTIONS
Just speak to one of our advisors if you need guidance of any kind that relates to our roofs. Find out the answers to some common questions they receive below.
What do you make replacement tiled roofs from?
The bulk of a replacement solid tiled roof is built in our manufacturing facility to expedite the final fitting of the product. We can fit the roof far more quickly than you would expect. It will be perfectly made so that it sits nicely on top of the structure, just like your existing roof does.
As for what it is made of, it has a pre-engineered lightweight frame, insulating panels, insulated fire-grade plasterboard, exterior grade plywood and an impenetrable membrane. Add any finish that you like to the tiles and include solid panels to make the roof a near replica of your traditional roof.
What is a Clad over roof?
Weight: You often find that a clad over solution can be too weighty for existing frames because of them using heavy timber, insulating materials and tiles. It needs to be a lightweight covering. The lightest solid roof systems weigh around 31KG/M ².
Tip: Always ask your installer for the total unit weight of the new roof per Sq.M
Fire Safety: A ‘clad-over’ system will not comply with current fire safety regulations as it is not effectively fire tested as a complete roof structure, which it must be if it is to satisfy the relevant part of building regulations. Often, only certain components may have been fire tested, which isn’t enough. Solid roofs must be classified as AC, AB or AA in accordance with BS476-3.
Tip: Ask to see the fire safety certificate of the entire roof system before you commit to the project.
Building Regulations: It’s also rare for a clad over system to receive Building Regulations Approval because of its poor thermal value and insufficient structural integrity. Building Regulations Approval is not to be confused with planning permission. Building Control has to be notified when changes are being proposed to a structure (including replacing a glass or polycarbonate roof with a solid roof) as they have to be satisfied that it is structurally sound.
Tip: Check that local Building Control has been informed before the conversion starts. Obtain a Building Regulations ‘Final’ Certificate and file it in a safe place.
With a new roof, will my conservatory still get too hot and too cold?
You will be pleased to know that no, it won’t, as that’s what it’s meant to resolve. It was such an unpleasant atmosphere inside conservatories with old polycarbonate roofs in the hot summer months as they would feel akin to an oven. The solar control glazing in a solid roof makes all the difference and will give you a conservatory that you can once again get frequent use out of.
What does an ‘A’ rated window symbolise?
When you buy an ‘A’ rated set of replacement windows, you are purchasing the UK’s most energy efficient windows. All windows sold in this country are energy labelled and it helps you identify if they comply with building regulations.
If you’ve shopped for ‘white’ goods recently, you will likely have noticed that they are also rated for their energy efficiency using a similar scale. Knowing how energy efficient products such as windows are, helps you to understand how successfully they will insulate your space and how much energy they will save you in the long run.
How much will it cost to replace my existing roof?
In our experience, for a small conservatory roof you will be looking at a cost from £5,000, and a larger conservatory roof will come in at around £12,000. We can offer you finance if you wish to spread the cost of paying for a new roof over a certain period. Our finance calculator may prove useful in this instance for working out a suitable payment system.
How long will it take to replace my existing conservatory roof?
Usually it can be done in just a matter of ways, meaning that hardly any disruption will be caused at your house.
Do I need planning permission to replace an existing roof?
You will not require planning permission to upgrade the roof, but Building Regulations Approval will be needed and you will have to present evidence when selling the property in the future.
Do I need Building Regulations Approval?
When Building Regulations Approval is gained from your local authority, it symbolises that the new roof has been given the OK from a government approved building control inspector, who is satisfied that it has been correctly installed and is both thermally efficient and structurally sound. This will also avoid any hold-ups or hiccups when you are looking to sell the house to another buyer, as you must show proof of this approval.
Do you offer finance to help me pay for my replacement roof?
Yes. To make life easy for you, TWC can arrange a variety of affordable and convenient easy payment finance options (subject to application & status). Applying for finance is simple and we promise you a quick decision. Everything can be sorted out with you in the comfort of your home or at your local TWC Showroom, so you can enjoy whatever you’ve set your heart on right away.
What do we need to do when our finance is approved?
If you’re arranging your own finance, you’ll need to call us as soon as you get the go ahead. If you’re taking up one of our offers, the company will tell us both directly, so there’s no need to call as we will get in touch with you.
What happens if finance is refused?
Finance companies can turn down people for lots of reasons, for example if you’ve moved several times over the past few years. In these circumstances, we always do our best to help and sometimes it’s worth trying another provider, especially if they know you.
I’ve applied for finance with TWC. How long will approval take?
Sometimes our finance company will say ‘yes’ almost immediately and on other occasions it may take them a few days. This short delay can be for any number of reasons and you should not be unduly concerned.
OUR FINANCE CALCULATOR
See how affordable your home improvement can be with our Finance Calculator.
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