10 May Tips to Re-Roof Your Old Conservatory – Conservatory Roofs Whitehaven

Are you thinking of a conservatory roof conversion in Whitehaven? You might want to read this blog first.

As a homeowner in the town of Whitehaven, located on the west coast of Cumbria, it is easy to believe that building regulations in the UK exist solely to confuse and frustrate you and thwart any plans you might have to better your life and surroundings. That being said, it is important to note that these statutory instruments exist for some pretty good reasons. For one, they keep rogue conservatory builders from ripping you off and endangering your life and those of your loved ones. Second, they keep overzealous DIY enthusiasts from severely injuring themselves and their families due to a lack of knowledge on construction basics like structural loading and material performance.

Conservatories spread far and wide in the UK during the 1970s, usually as an extension to an existing property rather than as part of the original design, as is common with many modern estate houses. The development of new lightweight materials, such as uPVC frames and polycarbonate glazing, was one of the enablers of those add-on conservatories. While these materials were thought to be energy efficient at the time, they no longer provide the thermal efficiency that homeowners expect. It is no wonder why many people buying properties with older conservatories are looking to hire a reputable window company in Whitehaven to refurbish their conservatory roofswith modern materials or even transform them from conservatories (i.e., a 75% transparent roof) to garden or sun rooms—possibly with no more than a roof light. This approach can result in a variety of issues that must be addressed before making any commitments.

Although the building regulations in the UK are not entirely clear on conservatories, a conservatory usually falls outside of the context of the building regulations. However, once you cover your conservatory roof in Whitehaven and possibly build up the walls, it quickly becomes an extension and, in some cases, subject to planning permission criteria. Perhaps more important, and potentially a source of great risk, is whether the old conservatory can be built as expected. The main factor here is the roof’s weight; polycarbonate glazing was a popular option in its time due to its lighter weight. On the other hand, modern glass and roof tiles are significantly heavier, and the conservatory walls may be unable to support this extra weight. This is all the more true in the winter, when the additional weight of several inches of snow or fleet may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Simply beefing up the conservatory walls is insufficient since the original footings may not be deep or wide enough to provide adequate foundational support.

Before re-roofing their conservatory, homeowners in Whitehaven should seek advice from a reputable conservatory company in Whitehaven. It may also be the case that starting from scratch (i.e., demolishing the old conservatory and constructing new) is the safest and most cost-effective alternative in the long run. Contact us on 016977 42279