Our Solid Roofs Are Efficiently Insulated To Keep You Warm This Winter

Some conservatories and orangeries are completely out of bounds during the winter when rightly they should be at their busiest and the perfect places to enjoy the Christmas and New Year periods.

That’s the unfortunate situation many local conservatory and orangery owners find themselves in and it’s the roofing systems attached to these designs that are predominantly to blame. Old polycarbonate and glass roofs simply offer an insufficient level of thermal efficiency, causing conservatory and orangery interiors to feel exceptionally cold once temperatures take a nosedive outside.

This doesn’t mean however that you should deem your conservatory or orangery surplus to requirements as there is a solution to the problem – a solid roof.

Seal warmer extended living with a solid roof

Designed using lightweight tiles or slates and containing insulated plywood and a rigid insulation board, a solid roof can be retro-fitted to virtually any conservatory or orangery style.

It offers a very high standard of insulation and will ensure that the inside of your conservatory or orangery feels consistently comfortable whether we’re in the middle of a cold snap or the hottest of heatwaves.

The installation of this form of roofing system will result in a slight loss of natural light, but don’t let this be a deal breaker. You can always include roof windows in the covering to give the sun a passage or two into the structure.

It’s largely a very quick turnaround when it comes to fitting the roof. Most installations can be completed in a maximum of a week with some taking just a single day.

Once it’s in place, hosting the Christmas dinner in the conservatory and partying your way into the New Year becomes possible again.

Be wary of the rules beforehand

Certain solid roof installations are subject to planning permission and must be done in accordance with current building regulations.

We go through all of this with any customers interested in purchasing a solid roof from Planet, but here’s what you need to be aware of.

• When replacing a translucent conservatory roof for a solid roof you must obtain Building Regulatory Approval.

• A “change of use” occurs when replacing a glass roof for a solid insulated roof as it causes the structure to be classed as permanent rather than temporary. This may necessitate planning permission.

• A planning application will need to be submitted, along with a full Building Regulations application, when your conservatory has a translucent roof and was built with planning approval.

• You may be ordered to make adjustments to the conservatory and account for ventilation via roof vents and trickle vents by your local Building Control Officer when there is a “change of use”.

• There is a possibility that your conservatory is no longer considered to be a “Permitted Development” and you will have to apply for planning permission.

The Local Authorities Building Control website offers lots more information about this.

Planet would love the chance to make your conservatory or orangery the heart of your home again this winter. You can explore our solid roof range here.