Adding a conservatory to your home will bring you many benefits. However, knowing where to start with different conservatory roof types and styles can be challenging. Before considering the options available, consider how you will want to use your conservatory. Conservatories can be used as an extension to your garden, to allow you to enjoy the peaceful calm of your garden during the inclement weather, or as an extension to your home, giving you extra room. Deciding on what you want to use your conservatory for will, in part, impact your choice of conservatory roof.
What is the Best Conservatory Roof Type?
There is no correct answer. It will depend on various factors, including the size and shape of your conservatory, your budget, the style of your home, and how you intend to use it. We will examine the different types of roofs available, which will help you decide the best solution for your conservatory.
Conservatory Roof Types
Polycarbonate Roof
A polycarbonate roof comprises lightweight, transparent sheeting, usually fixed onto a PVC or aluminium frame.
Polycarbonate is an affordable and practical conservatory roof option. It is also long-lasting and resilient, able to withstand stray footballs and falling branches. Polycarbonate roof is transparent, allowing lots of natural light to enter the conservatory. It is also light and easy to handle, making it easy to install. Polycarbonate comes in different types, sizes and thicknesses, so it can be used to build a variety of different-shaped roofs.
Glass Roof
A glass roof is constructed with glass sheets on a fixed frame. This gives an entirely see-through roof and an outdoor room experience.
A glass roof will give you a lovely, light, and airy conservatory. If you want to feel like you are sitting in your garden, even in bad weather, then a glass conservatory roof type will give you this. Glass is very durable and will last for many years if looked after. It is a common material for conservatory roofs, so plenty of companies can install it for you.
Hybrid Solid Roof
A hybrid roof combines glass and tiles to give a more stable internal temperature while maintaining the look and feel of a glass roof.
Hybrid roofs combine the advantages of glass and tiled roofs. They make for a striking and eye-catching design and give you a delightful and helpful room that you can enjoy all year round. As they are bespoke builds, you can customise your design to include features like lights and tiles.
Tiled Roof
A fully tiled roof has a different effect than a standard conservatory roof as the room has less light, but it can make it easier to regulate the temperature.
Building your conservatory with a tiled roof gives you a room you can use daily. If you want to sell your house, this can be an attractive feature to potential buyers compared to alternative conservatory designs. A tiled conservatory roof will give you the best temperature regulation, and the design will tie into the house, creating a seamless look.
Different Styles of Conservatory Roofs
You will need to consider not only the conservatory roof types but also the style of your conservatory. There are different roof design types, and each style will lend itself to other kinds of roofs. So, it is wise to consider what you want the result to look like before deciding on the best material for your conservatory roof.
Lean-to
As its name suggests, the lean-to conservatory has a sloping roof that attaches to the house. It is a simple design, usually rectangular, with a simple flat roof. This cheap, easy design can fit neatly against your home, giving you a lovely garden space.
Victorian
The Victorian style is highly distinctive and suits both modern and older properties. The conservatory comes out from the house in a curved shape with a semi-hexagonal or pentagonal bay window. The roof follows the shape to reach a point. Bay windows can be lovely, giving a sense of sitting in the garden.
Edwardian
The Edwardian-style conservatory roof creates an attractive visual effect as the front facet widens and drops away from the house, creating a sense of space. This gives a spacious room that is usually rectangular and can cover the whole length of the back of your home.
Gable-end
The gable roof design is focused on the gable feature that juts into the garden, creating an impression of height. This design reaches out from the house rather than tucking into the back of the house, so it may not be ideal for smaller gardens. The roof slopes down either side of the gable.
Double-Hip
The Double-Hip roof is designed to make your conservatory look like a separate structure. Here, the roof doesn’t blend into the house; instead, it has its roof reaching up to a central point above the conservatory. The rear joint will form a valley roof with your home. This is an attractive design, but be aware of the design of the valley, as these can be prone to issues if fitted incorrectly.
Choosing the Right Material for Your Conservatory Needs
Choosing suitable roof materials means balancing what you would like to gain from your conservatory with your budget and the limitations of your garden space. Once you have decided on the best design, you can choose the suitable materials for the look. Polycarbonate is an affordable and long-lasting solution and is ideally suited for those on a lower budget who want a simple lean-to-conservatory that gives them all the benefits of a conservatory without breaking the bank. If money and space are not an issue, a striking design such as a Victorian or Double-hip roofs may be best. Think about how you want to use your new conservatory to decide whether a hybrid roof may be best, giving you both a room with easier temperature regulation and enjoying the outdoor feel the transparent roof brings you.
Costs and Considerations When Replacing Conservatory Roof
Nothing lasts forever, so it is important to consider the cost of repairing or replacing sections of your conservatory roof. Polycarbonate is resilient and long-lasting and should give you many years of use. If you need to replace a panel, it is more affordable and accessible to install. The more complex the design, the more it will cost to fix it, so bear this in mind if you are considering a hybrid roof or a glass structure. Glass gives a fantastic look but can be susceptible to breakage and will cost more to replace than a polycarbonate panel. Consider these factors when choosing the ideal roofing material for your conservatory.
Come to Glazing Systems to Transform Your Home Today!
At Glazing Systems, we want to help you make the most out of your home. Adding a conservatory to your house can bring you so many benefits. If you want a quiet, peaceful room where you can sit and enjoy the garden no matter what the weather brings, then a conservatory will be a perfect addition to your home. Many people enjoy the extra space that even a tiny conservatory brings to their home. We are here to help you; with our extensive range of polycarbonate roofs, we can provide the materials so that you can create the ideal conservatory for your space. Take a look at our range of polycarbonate sheeting here, or contact our friendly and helpful team for advice at 01942 871183 or email sales@glazingsystems.co.uk