With so many factors influencing the cost of replacing a conservatory roof – it’s easy to get lost.
Read our detailed guide to find out exactly how size, materials and conservatory type will affect the final price you’ll pay.
Conservatories have long been a popular way for UK homeowners to add something different to their property. They can provide much needed extra space for busy families, a beautiful garden room for older residents – and can even increase the value of a house.
What’s more, unlike an extension, you don’t even need to obtain planning permission before building one.
However, a conservatory is not typically built from the same robust materials as the rest of your home. This means that conservatories are more susceptible to damage through general wear and tear, or from being exposed to harsh weather conditions.
Conservatory Roof Replacement Cost
A conservatory roof is particularly vulnerable to damage. While a conservatory roof can be expected to last between 10 and 15 years – you may find that you need to replace yours sooner.
Does my conservatory roof need replacing?
A damaged or faulty conservatory roof should be replaced as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the conservatory or the interior of your home.
Common signs that a conservatory roof is damaged include:
- The roof is leaking
- The roof has become mouldy (a sign that moisture has penetrated the roof)
- The conservatory has started to feel colder and more drafty
- The roof is visibly cracked (this is particularly common for polycarbonate conservatory roof panels)
Even if the existing roof is not defective, a new conservatory roof built from superior materials can deliver a number of benefits. These include:
- Improving the aesthetics of the conservatory
- Increasing the amount of light let in to the conservatory
- Improving the heat regulation and retention of the conservatory
- Ensuring that the conservatory roof is more durable and longer lasting
How much does it cost to replace a conservatory roof?
The cost to replace a conservatory roof in the UK ranges from £2,300 to over £10,000.
The average cost is around £5,000.
What factors influence the cost of replacing a conservatory roof?
You will have noticed a significant difference in the range of costs shown above.
It is difficult to really pinpoint “the average” cost of a conservatory roof. This is because there are three key factors which can significantly influence the final price you will pay:
- Size of the conservatory – It may sound obvious – but the larger your conservatory, the more materials and labour are needed to complete the job.
- Conservatory Roof Material – The most common material choices are glass, polycarbonate, or a solid conservatory roof made from tiles. Each option has different properties and significantly different associated costs.
- Conservatory Design – The most popular designs in the UK are Lean-to, Victorian, Edwardian and Gable End. Some designs are simple – but others are more complex, resulting in higher roof replacement costs.
To help you determine the cost of your own conservatory roof replacement, you can read detailed information below on how materials and conservatory design affects the final price.
Once you have an understanding of the options available to you, don’t forget that you can use our Free Conservatory Quote Tool to get competitive quotes from highly rated local conservatory roof installers.
Please Note: The costs in this guide are representative. While we have worked hard to ensure that they are accurate, they should be used as a guide only. In particular, solid conservatory roof costs can be significantly higher if additional structural support is required.
Glass, polycarbonate and solid conservatory roofs – which is more expensive?
Material costs play a significant part in determining the overall cost of any home-improvement project, and conservatory roof replacement is no different.
Homeowners have three main choices when it comes to materials for their conservatory roof. Each one has different properties, benefits and costs.
Polycarbonate Conservatory Roof Replacement
A replacement polycarbonate conservatory roof is the most affordable material option. Polycarbonate is a strong plastic that is both cheap to manufacture, lightweight and easy to install. However, while upfront costs are cheaper compared with other materials, it is not particularly durable and is especially susceptible to damage.
Advantages:
- Polycarbonate is the most affordable conservatory roof material.
- Polycarbonate is lightweight and easy to work with.
Disadvantages:
- Polycarbonate is the least durable material option. A polycarbonate roof may need to be replaced more regularly than a glass roof or solid roof.
- Polycarbonate is a poor heat regulator. This means that a conservatory can become very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter.
- Polycarbonate conservatory roofs are notoriously noisy when it rains!
Average Cost of a Polycarbonate Conservatory Roof: £2,300 – £4,750
Glass Conservatory Roof Replacement
Considered by many as the most aesthetically pleasing option, glass conservatory roofs are also significantly more durable than polycarbonate – and have better heat regulation properties. However, as you might expect, these benefits come with extra costs.
Advantages:
- Glass is significantly more durable than polycarbonate. You can expect a glass conservatory roof to have a longer lifespan and/or need fewer repairs.
- Compared with polycarbonate, glass is better at regulating heat and insulating conservatory users from outside noises (including rain).
- Glass is excellent at letting natural light into the conservatory.
Disadvantages:
- A glass conservatory roof has a higher upfront cost than a polycarbonate equivalent.
- Although a glass roof regulates heat better than a polycarbonate roof, conservatories with a glass roof are still susceptible to being cold in the winter and hot in the summer.
Average Cost of a Glass Conservatory Roof: £2,900 – £5,300
Solid (Tiled) Conservatory Roof Replacement
Solid conservatory roofs are usually constructed from conservatory roof tiles similar to those found on the main roof of your house. And just like the roof of your house, solid conservatory roofs are significantly more durable and better at regulating heat than polycarbonate and glass.
Unsurprisingly, the upfront cost is significantly higher – but may be offset by a reduction in your energy bills thanks to solid roofs having superior insulation.
Advantages:
- Built from the same materials as the main house roof, solid conservatory roofs are similarly durable and long-lasting.
- Thanks to excellent heat regulation and retention, solid conservatory roofs can transform the comfort of a conservatory. They can even help you to save you money on energy bills, by allowing less heat to escape through the roof in winter.
Disadvantages:
- Solid conservatory roofs typically have the highest upfront cost.
- A solid conservatory roof will not let in as much light into a conservatory as a glass or polycarbonate roof.
Average Cost of a Solid Conservatory Roof: £4,000 – £6,000
How does the design of a conservatory affect the cost of roof replacement?
Material type is not the only factor that can affect the overall cost of replacing a conservatory roof.
A variety of conservatory designs can be found in gardens up and down the UK. Conservatories with a more complex design typically require more individual panels, more types of panels, and more labour required for installation – all of which add to the cost.
It’s likely that your own conservatory is an example of one the following common designs found throughout the UK:
Lean-to Conservatory Roof Replacement
A lean-to, or flat roof, conservatory is typically rectangular or square in shape. The design has three sides and a simple pitched roof which “leans” up against the existing wall of your home.
Lean-to conservatories are popular because they are suitable to use with just about any home. The simple roof structure can be easily adapted to fit the space available. For example – you can simply add or remove roof panels, or rows of tiles, to achieve the desired width and depth of the conservatory.
The simple roof design of a lean-to conservatory roof also means that it is typically cheaper to replace than other types of conservatory roof.
| Polycarbonate Lean-to Conservatory Roof | £2,000 – £3,300 |
| Glass Lean-to Conservatory Roof | £2,550 – £3,725 |
| Solid Lean-to Conservatory Roof | £4,000+ |
Victorian Conservatory Roof Replacement
A Victorian conservatory is considered the most traditional or “classic” type of conservatory. It is characterised by having a bay window at the front, in addition to a complex and often ornately detailed roof.
The multifaceted design usually incorporates large glass wall panels to give users an attractive 180° view of their garden.
The roof is steeply pitched, requiring small triangular roof panels due to the presence of the bay window. This added complexity alongside the ornate detailing makes the roof of a Victorian conservatory more expensive to replace than that of a lean-to conservatory.
| Polycarbonate Victorian Conservatory Roof | £3,500 – £5,500 |
| Glass Victorian Conservatory Roof | £4,400 – £5,825 |
| Solid Victorian Conservatory Roof | £6,000+ |
Edwardian Conservatory Roof Replacement
An Edwardian conservatory combines the simple square or rectangular footprint of a Lean-to conservatory, with the steeply pitched and ornate roof of a Victorian conservatory.
This design has the effect of maximising floor space inside the conservatory while retaining the attractive traditional appearance on the outside.
The roof of an Edwardian conservatory is similarly complex to that of a Victorian equivalent – and the cost is similarly high.
| Polycarbonate Edwardian Conservatory Roof | £3,350 – £5,800 |
| Glass Edwardian Conservatory Roof | £4,500 – £6,000 |
| Solid Edwardian Conservatory Roof | £6,000+ |
Gabled / Gable End Conservatory Roof Replacement
Inspired by Georgian architecture, a gable end conservatory is another example of where a complex roof design forms an essential part of the conservatory’s overall aesthetic.
A gable roof is the most common type of roof used on UK houses. It has two sides which slope downward from the apex (think of it as an inverted – or upside down – “V”).
On a gable end conservatory, this has the effect of creating an attractive triangular roof design at the front of the conservatory.
| Polycarbonate Gable End Conservatory Roof | £3,150 – £6,600 |
| Glass Gable End Conservatory Roof | £3,800 – £7,400 |
| Solid Gable End Conservatory Roof | £7,000+ |
Other Conservatory Designs
Less common conservatory designs include “P-shaped” and “T-shaped” conservatories. These conservatory styles typically have larger, bespoke designs that combine two different roof types.
We recommend contacting a local conservatory company to obtain accurate quotes for P-shaped and T-shaped conservatory roof replacement.
How To Choose The Right Conservatory Roof For You
What is the cheapest way to replace a conservatory roof?
Polycarbonate conservatory roof replacement is by far the most affordable option. It’s the obvious choice for those operating on a tight budget, or for those who are satisfied with their existing polycarbonate roof and simply need to replace it due to damage.
Is it worth putting a proper roof on your conservatory?
For those who have a larger budget available – opting for a superior roof material can bring additional comfort to your conservatory.
Glass is considered by many to be the most aesthetically pleasing – and offers better noise and heat regulation than polycarbonate. A Solid / Tiled conservatory roof offers the best heat regulation and is also the most durable and long-lasting.
For most UK homeowners, choosing between a glass roof and a solid roof is likely to come down to the preferred aesthetic – do they want a light and bright all-glass structure, or something with a solid roof that feels more like an extension?
How To Choose A Local Conservatory Company
We hope that this guide has provided you with a detailed overview of the options available and their associated costs – when it comes to replacing a conservatory roof. A sensible next step is to get detailed quotes from local conservatory companies in your area.
Here are some key considerations to help you choose the right conservatory installer for the job:
1. Hire Local – Hiring a local conservatory installer can have a number of benefits. It’s likely that a local company has already installed conservatories in homes and gardens like yours in the area – so they’re well-placed to offer advice and guidance based on experience. For larger jobs, they may also have established relationships with local services such as skip hire or garden waste removal specialists.
2. Hire a Qualified Conservatory Installer – A quality conservatory roof should last between 10 and 15 years, but only if it is installed correctly. Be sure to ask a conservatory installer what qualifications or accreditations they have. Common, government-authorised accreditations for installers include FENSA (Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme) and CERTASS (specifically the Certass CQ-Assured Conservatories and Conservatory Warm Roof Scheme).
3. Hire a Highly Rated Conservatory Company – Just because a conservatory installer is qualified, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they provide a first-class service. A trusted local tradesman should have plenty of positive client testimonials on their website or social media pages. You can also use services such as Rated Near Me to find highly rated conservatory installers in your area.
4. Get Multiple Quotes – Make sure that you’re getting the best price for your work by obtaining quotes from multiple businesses. You can use tools such as Rated Near Me to get competitive roof replacement quotes in minutes.
Ready to take the next step?
Nobody is better placed to offer further advice and guidance than a highly rated local conservatory company – so why not contact one today?
Thanks to Rated Near Me it’s never been easier to contact highly rated installers in your area.
