A solid tiled conservatory roof costs £3,500-£7,000 and delivers the best insulation, turning a seasonal conservatory into a year-round living space. Glass roofs cost £3,000-£6,000 and offer superior natural light with decent thermal performance. Polycarbonate is cheapest at £1,500-£3,000 but provides poor insulation and amplifies rain noise. Lightweight tile systems such as SupaLite, Ultraroof and Guardian weigh as little as 38kg/m2 and do not require structural reinforcement on most existing conservatories. A solid roof conversion requires Building Regulations approval.
Conservatory Roof Comparison Table
| Feature | Polycarbonate | Glass | Solid/Tiled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost (typical 3x4m) | £1,500-£3,000 | £3,000-£6,000 | £3,500-£7,000 |
| Cost per m2 | £175-£350 | £200-£400 | £300-£600 |
| U-value (W/m2K) | 1.6-2.0 | 1.0-1.2 | 0.15-0.18 |
| Insulation rating | Poor | Good | Excellent |
| Natural light | High (but glare) | High (controlled) | Low (skylights optional) |
| Rain noise | Loud | Moderate | Minimal |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years | 20-25 years | 40+ years |
| Building regs needed | No | No | Yes |
| EPC improvement | Minimal | Moderate | Significant |
| Installation time | 1-2 days | 2-3 days | 3-5 days |
Costs based on 2026 UK averages from Checkatrade and MyJobQuote.
Is polycarbonate the cheapest conservatory roof option?
Polycarbonate is the lowest-cost option at £1,500-£3,000, but it delivers the worst thermal performance and has the shortest lifespan. Polycarbonate sheets have a U-value of 1.6-2.0 W/m2K, meaning they lose heat roughly ten times faster than a solid roof. This makes the conservatory uncomfortably cold in winter and unbearably hot in summer.
Key limitations of polycarbonate:
- Noise — rain on polycarbonate is notoriously loud, making the room unusable during heavy downpours
- Discolouration — UV exposure causes yellowing within 5-10 years
- Temperature extremes — acts as a greenhouse in summer, offers little warmth in winter
- Lifespan — typically needs replacing every 10-15 years
Polycarbonate makes sense only as a like-for-like replacement on a budget, particularly if the conservatory is used as a utility or storage area rather than a living space. For any room intended for daily use, glass or solid roofs deliver far better value over their lifetime.
How does a glass conservatory roof perform?
Glass roofs balance natural light with decent insulation, costing £3,000-£6,000 for a typical conservatory. Modern glass roof panels use self-cleaning coatings, argon-filled double or triple glazing, and solar-control glass to manage heat gain and loss. A quality glass roof achieves a U-value of around 1.0-1.2 W/m2K — significantly better than polycarbonate.
Advantages of glass roofs:
- Light — maintains the bright, open feel that conservatories are designed for
- Self-cleaning coating — titanium dioxide coating breaks down dirt in sunlight
- Solar control — tinted or coated glass reduces summer overheating
- Aesthetics — looks premium and suits most property styles
- No building regs — like-for-like glass replacement does not need approval
The main drawback is that even the best glass cannot match a solid roof for thermal insulation. Heating bills for a glass-roofed conservatory will always be higher than for one with a solid roof, though the difference is less dramatic than with polycarbonate.
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Why choose a solid tiled conservatory roof?
A solid tiled roof is the best option for turning a conservatory into a genuine year-round living space, with U-values as low as 0.15 W/m2K. This is six times more insulating than polycarbonate and four times better than glass. The conservatory becomes as thermally efficient as a standard room extension.
Modern lightweight tile systems have transformed the solid roof market:
SupaLite
- JHAI Building Control approved
- SupaLite Plus achieves U-value of 0.15 W/m2K
- Designed to retrofit onto existing conservatory frames
- Wide choice of tile colours and finishes
Ultraroof (by Ultraframe)
- Weighs just 38kg/m2 — one of the lightest systems
- Suitable for older conservatory structures without reinforcement
- Internal plastered finish for a room-like feel
- Vaulted ceiling options available
Guardian Warm Roof
- LABC (Local Authority Building Control) approved
- U-value of 0.18 W/m2K
- Can include Velux skylights for natural light
- Completed installation in 3-5 days
All three systems are lightweight enough to be installed on most existing conservatory frames without structural reinforcement. However, your installer will assess the existing structure during a survey to confirm suitability.
Does a solid roof need Building Regulations approval?
Yes. Converting from a glazed roof (glass or polycarbonate) to a solid roof changes the thermal performance and structural loading, which triggers Building Regulations. This is not planning permission — it is a separate process that ensures the work meets safety and energy standards.
Both the SupaLite (via JHAI) and Guardian (via LABC) systems come with pre-approved Building Control certification, which simplifies the process. Your installer handles the application as part of the project. Expect to pay £200-£400 for the Building Control fee, which is usually included in the quoted price.
Key Building Regulations requirements for solid conservatory roofs:
- Structural adequacy of the existing frame
- Thermal performance (U-value) compliance
- Ventilation provision (trickle vents or mechanical extraction)
- Electrical safety for any new lighting
If you are selling the property in future, the Building Control completion certificate is an essential document. Without it, conveyancing solicitors will flag the work as a potential issue.
Can a solid roof improve my EPC rating?
Yes. Replacing a polycarbonate or single-glazed conservatory roof with an insulated solid roof can improve your EPC rating. The key factor is whether the conservatory is thermally separated from the main house (by an external door between them) or open to the main living space.
If the conservatory is open to the house (no separating door), the EPC assessor treats it as part of the heated living area. In this case, a poorly insulated roof drags the overall EPC score down significantly. Upgrading to a solid roof with a U-value of 0.15-0.18 W/m2K removes this penalty and can add several EPC points.
If the conservatory is separated by a door, it is typically excluded from the EPC assessment. In this scenario, the solid roof still improves comfort and reduces heating costs, but the EPC improvement is minimal.
How much does each option cost long-term?
Over 20 years, a solid roof is the cheapest option when heating costs are included. Here is a simplified cost comparison for a typical 3m x 4m conservatory:
| Cost Factor | Polycarbonate | Glass | Solid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation cost | £2,250 | £4,500 | £5,250 |
| Annual heating cost | £400-£600 | £200-£350 | £50-£100 |
| Replacement at year 15 | £2,250 | None | None |
| 20-year total cost | £12,250-£16,250 | £8,500-£11,500 | £6,250-£7,250 |
Heating costs estimated based on a conservatory used as a living room with thermostat set to 20C. Figures are illustrative.
The solid roof’s superior insulation means dramatically lower heating bills, and its 40+ year lifespan avoids the replacement costs that polycarbonate requires. Glass falls in the middle, with good longevity but higher ongoing heating costs.
FAQ
Do I need planning permission for a conservatory roof replacement?
No, in most cases. A like-for-like replacement (polycarbonate to polycarbonate, or glass to glass) does not require planning permission or Building Regulations. Converting to a solid roof requires Building Regulations approval but not planning permission, unless the property is listed or in a conservation area.
Will a solid roof make my conservatory dark?
Not necessarily. Most solid roof systems can incorporate Velux skylights or a central glass panel to maintain natural light. The trade-off is that you lose the fully glazed ceiling effect, but gain a warmer, quieter and more usable room. Many homeowners find the combination of skylights and existing side glazing provides ample light.
Can any conservatory have a solid roof?
Most conservatories built in the last 30 years can support a lightweight solid roof system without structural reinforcement. Older or very small conservatories may need additional support. A professional survey (usually free) will confirm whether your existing frame is suitable.
How long does a conservatory roof replacement take?
Polycarbonate takes 1-2 days, glass takes 2-3 days, and a solid roof conversion takes 3-5 days. Most of the work is external, so you can continue using the conservatory for part of the installation period.
Does replacing a conservatory roof add value to my home?
Yes. A solid roof conversion typically adds £5,000-£10,000 to a property’s value by effectively creating a new room. Estate agents report that a year-round conservatory is significantly more attractive to buyers than a seasonal one. The conversion cost of £3,500-£7,000 is generally recouped in full.
Find the right conservatory roof for your home.
Related: Conservatory Roof Guide
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