Under normal circumstances, most conservatories are exempt from building regulations. However, that exemption depends on certain criteria that the conservatory must meet and any changes you make to the structure, including adding a solid roof, can mean it will no longer be exempt and building regulations may apply.

Exemption criteria for conservatories

According to guidelines released by the Department for Communities and Local Government, to avoid being subject to building regulations a conservatory must comply with the following conditions:

• The structure must be at ground level.

• The floor area cannot exceed 30 m².

• The glass used needs to comply with Parts K4, K 5.1, K 5.2, K 5.3 and K 5.4 of Schedule 1.

• The conservatory must be “thermally separate” from the rest of the building e.g. there should be external doors between the conservatory and the rest of your house.

• The house’s central heating system must not extend into the conservatory.

• The walls and roof should have the correct amount of glazing to be considered a conservatory (although no specific percentage is given, leaving building control officers some leeway)

Adding solid conservatory roofs

The key issue when adding a solid roof is that you are likely to be significantly changing the percentage of the overall structure that is glazed. This may mean that your conservatory will therefore become subject to building regulations, meaning you would have to make other changes to the structure to bring it up to an acceptable standard.

However, because the percentage of the structure that is required to be glazed is not defined the decision is ultimately in the hands of your local building control body. They make decisions on a case by case basis, so when you are considering building or altering a conservatory it is always a good idea to consult with your local build control officer.

Metrotile’s range of lightweight roofing products are ideal for conservatory roof replacement projects as they weigh up to seven times less than traditional roofing materials. This means a Metrotile roof can normally be supported by your conservatory’s existing structure, making it much easier and cheaper to carry out your renovation. We also supply a range of clear tiles and Velux windows which can help you keep your structure free from building regulations by allowing you to keep a suitable percentage of the roof glazed.

To find out more call 01249 658 514 or use our contact form for a prompt response.