Would it be better to buy a tiled or glass roof?
It’s difficult for us to say until we know how you intend to use the space, what direction it will need to face and how much money you can spend on the roof. You shouldn’t suffer from a loss of natural light as our solar control glazing is highly sophisticated and will keep the internal temperature at a manageable level.
Keen to have a conservatory that’s useable throughout the whole year? For that to happen, a solid tiled is the option to have, and it can include glass panels or Velux windows. In this instance, it will give you a mix of a solid and glass roof covering.
For more background information about our replacement roofs, gain advice from the Speedy team.
Should I get my frames upgraded too?
That would be a good idea, as it makes sense to have updated frames installed at the same time as the new roof being put in. This will leave you with a far more energy efficient living space.
This will avoid the nightmare scenario of your conservatory still being subject to draughts because of the inability of your windows to keep the weather out. We can sort them as a package and do so at a very competitive price.
MORE COMMON QUESTIONS
In our common questions, we have listed some of the most typical enquiries we receive from customers. There’s every chance you will find the answers you need.
What is a replacement tiled roof built from?
The first thing to point out is that much of the roof is pre-manufactured so that very little work needs to be done on the product once it has been transferred to your property for the final fitting. We can then get the roof installed quickly, which will be a perfect fit for your conservatory.
It uses a pre-engineered lightweight frame, insulating panels, insulated fire-grade plasterboard, exterior grade plywood and impenetrable membrane. Just confirm what coloured finish you want adding to the lifelike tiles, and if you want them, include solid panels in the roof to make it a near match for a traditional roof.
What is a Clad over roof?
Weight: A clad over roof can be too heavy for some older types of conservatory framework as it uses some heavy timber, insulating materials and tiles. It must be more lightweight than that. 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: ‘Clad over’ systems do not satisfy fire safety regulations as they are not effectively fire tested as a complete roof structure, which is imperative to comply with the relevant section 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: Request sight of the fire safety certificate for the roofing system before any work begins.
Building Regulations: Very rarely will a clad over system receive Building Regulations Approval too as it lacks thermal performance and has poor structural integrity. We must stress that Building Regulations Approval isn’t the same thing as planning permission. You will have to inform Building Control when you are proposing to make some sort of change to your conservatory (including replacing a glass or polycarbonate roof with a solid roof), who will need to confirm that it is structurally sound.
Tip: Don’t begin with a conversion before telling Building Control what you’re proposing to have done. When given the Building Regulations ‘Final’ Certificate at the end of the project, please keep it safe.
Will I still experience negative temperature changes in my conservatory?
No, that will become a thing of the past, as the entire purpose of a new roof is to stop this from happening. If you’ve ever walked into a conservatory with a polycarbonate roof in the peak of summer, you will know just how unbearably hot it would get. It’s the solar control glazing in a solid roof that has a big hand in keeping the temperature well-regulated so that the interior never gets too hot or too cold.
What exactly is an ‘A’ rated window?
The ‘A’ rating refers to the standard of energy efficiency offered by a set of replacement windows, and ‘A’ rated windows are the most energy efficient of them all. Always pay attention to the energy labelling on a window as this will also help you identify if it meets building regulations.
‘White’ goods, such as fridges, freezers, microwaves etc. are labelled for their energy efficiency in a similar way and help you to make a more informed decision when replacing appliances. The key thing is that the higher the energy efficiency rating, the bigger the energy savings you will make and warmer they will leave your home.
How much will it cost to replace my existing roof?
You can expect to pay £5,000+ for a small conservatory roof, with a larger conservatory roof likely to cost you about £12,000+. If you want to spread the cost of a new roof over a certain length of time, ask Speedy about our finance options. There is a finance calculator on our website to help you figure a finance package that works well.
How long does it take to fit a new conservatory roof?
We can have it installed in just a few days, so we’ll be in and out of your property in no time, with little disruption caused.
Will I need planning permission?
No application for planning permission will need to be submitted for a roof upgrade but you will have to obtain Building Regulations Approval and have evidence of this when you come to sell the house.
Is Building Regulations Approval necessary?
The granting of Building Regulations Approval by a local authority provides confirmation that a replacement roof has been given the green light by a government approved building control inspector, who has decreed that it has been fitted to the relevant standards and is as energy efficient and structurally sound as it needs to be. This will prevent any issues with you selling the house, as it will be documented that the roof has passed all checks.
Do you offer finance to help me pay for my replacement roof?
Yes. To make life easy for you, Speedy 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 Speedy 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 Speedy. 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.
FINANCING YOUR PURCHASE
We’ve got you covered, as we have finance options available for people with varying circumstances.
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