The difference between building with a solid roof from day one and converting later, plus the three main layouts.
Short answer: a solid roof conservatory is designed from the outset with an insulated roof, a plastered ceiling and lighting built in, so it behaves like a room of the house rather than a glass box. It stays far more comfortable in winter and summer than a glass or polycarbonate roof, at the cost of some overhead daylight, which is usually won back with a lantern or roof windows.
It is a different thing from putting a new roof on an old conservatory. Both routes can give an excellent result, but a new build lets the frames, base and roof be specified together.
If your existing conservatory is sound but too hot or cold, replacing the roof is often the sensible answer. If the frames, base or dwarf walls are tired as well, starting again with a solid roof design avoids spending money on a structure that still has weak points.
When building new, daylight is planned at design stage. Roof lanterns, glazed pitches and roof windows are positioned where they light the room best rather than being added as an afterthought.
Most solid roof conservatories follow one of three footprints:
The insulation of a solid roof is in a different league to glass or polycarbonate, so the temperature swings that make many conservatories unusable for parts of the year are much smaller. That changes what you can put in the room. Sofas, a television, a desk or a piano are all realistic without the worry of fading and damp.
Compared with a traditional extension there are fewer trades and no conventional roof structure, and the foundation requirement is typically lighter. That usually means weeks on site rather than months, although the exact programme depends on the base and any groundwork needed.
We quote base, frames, roof, electrics and finishing as a single job with one point of contact, so there is no gap between trades for problems to fall into.
Ask how the roof will be signed off, because a solid roof usually brings building control into the picture in a way a glass roof does not. Ask which insulation and plasterboard build-up is being used, how the gutters and fascias will be finished, and how rainwater will be taken away from the new roof.
It is also worth asking where sockets, switches and downlights will go before the ceiling is boarded, and whether the heating in the adjoining room can cope with the extra space or whether a radiator or electric heating should be added.
We will survey the space, suggest a layout and send a fixed quote. Finance is available and we beat any like-for-like quote.
It has less overhead light than a glass roof, but a lantern, glazed pitches or roof windows specified at design stage keep the room bright.
If the frames and base are sound, a roof replacement is often enough. If they are tired too, a new build avoids investing in a structure with weak points.
An Edwardian layout, because its square floor plan leaves more usable room for furniture than a faceted Victorian front.
Yes. A plastered ceiling with downlights is one of the main reasons people choose a solid roof design.