Is it time to put your money where your roof is? These days, many people are opting to replace old glazed conservatory roofs with a solid, tiled alternative. But what are the pros and cons, and is it a worthwhile investment?

What’s wrong with normal conservatory roofs?

The classic conservatory has a roof and walls that look the same – transparent glazed panels, whether these are metal-framed or uPVC. These have the advantage of being cheap, but the downside is that they are not great in terms of insulation.

Bad insulation means discomfort. A poorly insulated conservatory can be cold and draughty in the winter, baking and stuffy in summer. If you’re lucky, there will be a few months of the year when it’s just the right temperature outdoors to make it pleasant to sit indoors in your conservatory.

What is a solid conservatory roof?

In recent years, a modern alternative has come onto the market. Tiled conservatory roofs are made from special materials that look like traditional roof tiles, but have a fraction of the weight. They provide much better insulation than a glazed roof, helping to keep you warm all year round.

Solid conservatory roofs are fast and easy to install. Their lightweight nature makes them easy to transport and suitable for almost any underlying structure – you simply peel off the old roof and replace it with the new one. From inside, the roof looks like an ordinary plastered surface, perhaps with skylights to let in extra brightness.

Spend money to save money

A lightweight tiled roof works out at a much lower cost than a full conservatory replacement, but there will inevitably still be some outlay involved. So how can you be sure it’s worth it?

The most obvious benefit of a solid conservatory roof is improved insulation. The space will stay warmer in cold weather, and keep off the strongest sun in summer. The value you will get from having an extension to your living space that is usable all year round is considerable – prospective buyers will think so too. A solid conservatory roof may prove a selling point when you come to move house.

A better insulated space will also reduce your heating bills. When you add up the cost of heating a conservatory over the years, the cost of a solid roof appears much more reasonable. A badly insulated roof can mean you leak money through monthly energy bills without realising it.

Improved safety for you and your family

You might have thought about the security of your front door and window locks, but have you considered whether your conservatory might be a security threat? Even if you have a secure door leading into the conservatory, it’s easy to forget to lock this every time you leave the house. Flimsy conservatory panels can easily be prized off, giving rapid access to your home or at least the contents of your conservatory.

A solid conservatory roof offers better security, proving much more robust and tricky to break into. Metrotile roofs also come with the highest possible external fire resistance rating.

A solid conservatory roof can also help remedy any design flaws in existing conservatories, such as a flat roof prone to leakage. Modern conservatory roofs can add pitch to a flat roof, so the rainwater simply rolls off rather than seeping in.

Is it the right choice for you?

When you combine the benefits of gaining an all-year usable space, better home security, reduced energy bills and adding value to your property, we think investing in a solid conservatory roof is a no-brainer.